The comma, perhaps the most misunderstood punctuation mark in English, has many important functions in our written language. Today, it’s misused to change the subject in the middle of a sentence. When used correctly, it’s one of the most sophisticated and useful punctuation marks. This unassuming but mighty symbol is incredibly important in many contexts, from opening quotations to creating bulleted lists.
In fact, one of the most basic uses of the comma is to separate items in a series. Just like in the example of apples, oranges and bananas above, the commas in the latter example provide clear separation between each element. This is a largely underappreciated but critical function that significantly makes the reader’s job of understanding what’s being conveyed that much easier. It really helps to sharpen the core message.
Commas are just as important in dialogue. Most often they are used to isolate a quote or some snippet of dialogue from the rest of the line. Such a use makes it easier for the reader to know when someone else is speaking and keeps the flow of dialogue going. For instance, in the sentence, “She said, ‘I will arrive soon,’” the comma effectively separates the speaker’s words from the narrative.
Beyond their service in lists and conversational speech, commas show us pauses in thought, movement within window panes, and shifts in perspective. They break up clauses, avoiding dangerous ambiguity while providing space to explain big, complicated concepts. For instance, in the sentence “Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk,” the comma signals a pause that distinguishes the dependent clause from the independent one.
In addition, commas are necessary to show pauses in every written form—especially important in poetry and song lyrics. They can break up stanzas or show a pause between lines, creating a natural cadence and cadence. This is especially true in creative writing, where pacing can radically change the overall effect on the reader, even in ways that may not be at first identifiable.
In tabular format, commas help delineate items relying on the reader’s ability to clearly identify distinct concepts, improving clarity and understanding. Further, as their very similar cousins, commas, they mark breaks in a table’s data or content, helping to provide useful and pointed information. Or, this usage carries over to academic writing too, as commas can be used to set off footnotes or endnotes.
The comma’s flexibility goes even farther. It can be used to separate parenthetical remarks within sentences. These asides clarify and complement the primary argument without breaking the flow of logic and prose. In the example “My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting next week,” the commas are essential. For instance, they detach the additional information on my brother from the key subject.
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