Your Friend, the Comma
As I continue to pore over blog entries, marketing speak, RFI copy, and whatever else contains words, the comma always poses issues. I often wonder if I remember my English classes wrong or if everyone else is incorrect. I’m not perfect by any means (and I’m sure there are stunning misuses in this fine blog), but I generally know the common uses of a comma. More often than not, I’d rather rewrite passages than wrangle with poor copy that eludes proper use anyway. Here are some areas in need of a refresher course:
1) Serial commas. I’m a big fan and so is The Chicago Manual of Style. It wasn’t until I entered the world of advertising that I learned the serial comma was frowned upon. What is it about the serial comma? Does it take up too much precious real estate on a page? Is it too hard to remember? Did a huge herd of copywriters in the workforce never learn the rule? Seriously, it’s not difficult. And in fact, if you do use serial commas, it’s easier. You don’t have to make up other rules for sticky sentences that may cause ambiguity. Of course, even the serial comma allegedly causes ambiguity anyway. Who knew.
I can never decide if I want to knit, sew, or make jewelry.
The man ordered BBQ pork, cole slaw, and macaroni and cheese.
Mom was gurgling, dad was snoring, and sissy was giggling.
2) Coordinating conjunctions and independent clauses. I can look past the serial comma (so long as the rule is followed consistently throughout a piece), but a missing comma from a compound sentence downright hurts my feelings. If a clause can stand alone as a sentence itself, it is an independent clause. String two of them together with a conjunction (and, but, or, so, etc.), and you have a compound sentence. What must go in front of that conjunction? A comma. If you choose not to use a conjunction, you may use a semicolon or even an em dash. The only acceptable time to omit the comma from this usage is if the independent clauses are very short and closely related.
I can look past serial commas, but a missing comma hurts my feelings.
Either add a coordinating conjunction after the comma, or replace it with a semicolon or em dash.
String two independent clauses together, and you have a compound sentence.
The boy sang and the girl hummed along.
3) Comma splices. This is an occurrence I honestly don’t see too often. A comma splice happens when two independent clauses are merely strung together by a comma, no conjunction. Again, the comma is not forceful enough punctuation to stand alone in this scenario. Either add a coordinating conjunction after the comma, or replace it with a semicolon or em dash.
4) Compound predicates. To refresh, a predicate contains the verb; it describes what the subject is doing or what is happening to the subject. In a compound predicate, there are two or more verbs separated by a conjunction. These are not independent clauses since they cannot stand alone. Hence, a comma is not used between the parts of a compound predicate.
I read up on the basics and apply them in my everyday writing.
He won’t run with the dog but will take him to the dog park.
She shouldn’t stay up late or consume too much caffeine.
5) Separating dependent clauses from independent clauses. In simplest terms, a dependent clause cannot stand on its own and typically starts with words such as if, when, or because. If a dependent clause starts a sentence, a comma must follow it before the independent clause starts. If an independent clause starts the sentence, no comma is needed to separate the two clauses. However, there are nonrestrictive clauses (not essential to the meaning) where a comma would still be necessary even if the independent clause is the lead-in.
If you choose not to use a conjunction, you may use a semicolon or even an em dash.
It is an independent clause when it can stand on its own as a full sentence.
Everyone should relearn the basics, if you want my opinion.
There are many more uses of the comma, and some are listed below. And even the sore spots I mentioned above are by no means the best or most complete explanations. Always seek Chicago for guidance.
a) Parenthetical phrases (introductory phrases, appositives, interjections, etc.)
b) Geographic locations
c) Dates
d) Names
e) Before quotes
f) Between adjectives
These are (some of) the rules—as you were.