Common Comma Uses
Commas are the most frequently used punctuation marks in English occurring in writing twice as often as all other punctuation marks combined. They inform us how to read and understand sentences depending on their placement, and precise rules exist that determine when a comma should be used. The following are the different circumstances that require a comma be used.
- Use a comma before any coordinating conjunction that links two independent clauses.
- Use a comma after a dependent clause that starts a sentence.
- Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence.
- Use commas to separate items in a series.
- Use a comma after introductory adverbs.
- Use a comma when attributing quotes. Comma placement depends on where attribution comes. If attribution comes before the quote, place the comma outside the quotations marks. If attribution comes after the quote, put the comma inside the quotation marks.
- Use a comma to separate each element in an address. Also use a comma after a city-state combination within a sentence.
- Use a comma to separate the elements in a full date (weekday, month and day, and year). The combination of those elements should also be separated from the rest of the sentence with commas. You don’t need to add a comma when the sentence mentions only the month and year
- Use a comma when the first word of the sentence is freestanding “yes” or “no.”
- Use a comma when directly addressing someone or something in a sentence.
- Use a comma between two adjectives that modify the same noun.
- Use a comma to offset negation in a sentence.
- Use commas before every sequence of three numbers when writing a number larger than 999.
There are many situations that call for using a comma and it is difficult to remember all of them. Doing a comma check to ensure commas have been used correctly is probably a good idea.
Performing a Comma Check Is Critical to Effective Communication
The comma has the distinction of being the most misused punctuation mark in English. Overuse is the most common mistake made with commas. Despite its small size, a misplaced comma can completely alter the meaning of a sentence and could result in serious consequences. Some of the reasons why it is important to use commas correctly include:
- Job applications: Many employers disqualify job applicants who send cover letters with commas that are used incorrectly. Grammatical errors such as misused commas makes an applicant look unprofessional and their ability to perform the job could be called into question.
- Business communications: Business letters, contracts and bids for contracts with misplaced commas could lose millions of dollars
- Education: Students with poor grammar will encounter more difficulties. At higher academic levels, poor grammar could result in not being accepted into a program.
Using a comma checker to ensure proper comma usage before submitting any important document is a good idea. You can get a free grammar and punctuation check when you need it by using our websites online checker.
Eliminate Mechanical Errors in Your Written Documents
Mechanical errors such as spelling mistakes and errors in punctuation and spelling do not create the type of impression that you want to make whether you are a student, business professional, or self-employed. We realize the importance of good grammar and provide a free grammar and punctuation checker that will help you eliminate mistakes and improve your writing skills. Our free online checker will look for the following:
- Grammatical errors: The checker scans text looking for the proper use hundreds of grammar rules
- Punctuation errors: Text is examined to locate any punctuation mistakes so that the punctuation corrector can revise them.
- Spelling mistakes: Quickly find and fix spelling mistake as well as words that are spelled correctly but used in the wrong context.
- Plagiarism: Plagiarism is often unintentional and a result of being careless or in a hurry. Check to ensure your paper contains no plagiarism before submitting it.
Even those people with good grammar skills can benefit by using our online checker. Proofreading can take hours on longer papers while our grammar and punctuation checker is practically instantaneous.
