Punctuation Mark: Comma

Comma (,)

A comma in writing is like a pause inside a sentence when speaking. We use commas inside sentences. Commas separate parts of a sentence into logical elements. Commas have no meaning, but they help us to see the structure and therefore the meaning of the sentence.

Ø  Using in English

· In lists

Commas are used to join items in lists, as in: 

-        They own a cat, a dog, two rabbits, and six mice.

-        The children laughed, cheered and shouted.

-        They bought sugar, beef, milk, etc.

In English, a comma before the final conjunction (and, or, nor) in a list of more than two elements is optional. In some cases, use or omission of such a comma may serve to avoid ambiguity:

Use of serial comma disambiguating:

-        I spoke to the boys, Sam and Tom. 

Could be either the boys and Sam and Tom (I spoke to more than three people) or the boys, who are Sam and Tom (I spoke to two people).

-        I spoke to the boys, Sam, and Tom. 

Must be the boys and Sam and Tom (I spoke to more than three people).

Omission of serial comma disambiguating:

-        I thank my mother, Anne Smith, and Thomas. 

Could be either my mother and Anne Smith and Thomas (three people) or my mother, who is Anne Smith, and Thomas (two people).

-        I thank my mother, Anne Smith and Thomas. 

The writer is thanking three people: the writer's mother and Anne Smith (who is not the writer's mother) and Thomas.

· Separation of Clauses

In English, a comma is generally used to separate a dependent clause from the independent clause if the dependent clause comes first: 

-        After I fed the cat, I brushed my clothes.

Compare with: 

-        I brushed my clothes after I fed the cat.

A relative clause takes commas if it is non-restrictive, as in I cut down all the trees, which were over six feet tall. (Without the comma, this would mean that only those trees over six feet tall were cut down).

Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to join two independent clauses. If the independent clauses are short and well-balanced, the comma is optional.

-         He didn't want to go, but he went anyway.

-         I want to work as an interpreter, so I am studying Russian at university.

-         She is kind so she helps people.

 · Certain Adverbs

Commas are always used to set off certain adverbs at the beginning of a sentence, including however, in fact, therefore, nevertheless, moreover, furthermore, and still.

-         Therefore, I could not come yesterday.

-         Nevertheless, I will not use one.

· In Indirect Speech

For example:

-        He said, "I love you."

-        Mr. Kershner says, "You should know how to use a comma.”

· In Parenthetical Elements

A "parenthetical element" is any part of a sentence that can be removed without changing the real meaning of the sentence.

-         John Geton, who is chairman of the company, is quite old.

-         Andrew, my wife's brother, cannot come.

-         The objective, to find peace in both countries, is hard to reach.

· For Adresses and Dates

-        911 Avenue Mansion, Petchburi Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.

-        Los Angeles, California.

-        November 18, 1991. (But not for: 18 November 1991).

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Sources:

Cooper, T., Fallas, J., & Flaherty, F. (2011). English Style Guide: Seventh edition. European Commission.

Englishclub.com. (2013). Punctuation. Retrieved from http://www.englishclub.com/writing/punctuation.htm.

Phythian, B. A. (2012). Correct English: Pedoman Belajar Bahasa Inggris. Jakarta : PT. Indeks.

       Wikipedia. (2013). Punctuation. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Punctuation.