Comma

The comma is a punctuation mark that serves as a constant reminder to take a breath when reading. It is often used in written English to make sure that we don’t run out of air before the end of the sentence.

Commas are notorious for being misunderstood and misused. They have a long and sordid history of causing arguments, confusion, and general mayhem. Of all the punctuation marks, the comma is most likely to be the victim of overuse, underuse, or general misuse.

One of the most common complaints about the comma is that it is used too frequently. Some writers seem to believe that every time they pause to take a breath, a comma should be inserted. This often leads to sentences that are so punctuated that they become nearly impossible to read.

Another issue with the comma is the “comma splice.” This occurs when a writer uses a comma to join two independent clauses without any conjunction. This is a big no-no in the world of grammar and can lead to some hilarious misunderstandings.

For example: “I went to the store, I saw a squirrel.” This could be construed to mean that you saw a squirrel at the store or that you went to the store and then saw a squirrel at a different location. In either case, the sentence could be improved by using a conjunction, such as “and” or “but.”

Commas can also be used to change the meaning of a sentence in unexpected ways. For example: “Let’s eat, Grandma!” and “Let’s eat Grandma!” have two very different connotations. Without the comma, Grandma may be in for a rather unpleasant surprise.

There are also special cases where commas are completely optional, such as the Oxford comma. This is the comma that is sometimes placed before the final conjunction in a list, such as “I like to eat pizza, pasta, and ice cream.” Some people insist on using the Oxford comma, while others consider it an unnecessary extravagance.

In conclusion, the humble comma may seem like a small and insignificant punctuation mark, but it has a long and storied history. From debates about the Oxford comma to hilarious misunderstandings caused by poor punctuation, the comma continues to be a source of amusement and frustration for writers everywhere.