Thread: I need help with comma usage

I'd like to consider myself well-learned in grammar, but that confidence stems from the fact that my mom's first major was Mass Communications she was an editor before she became a nurse, and I really had grammar pounded into me as a child the horrors were real, lmao. My mother was pretty hardcore about it, and she gave me a lot of grammarediting books when I was younger. But I guess it was all worth it because I actually edit my friends' college essays as well as my own now, haha. For the first thing, you can definitely use commas before the word and, but it has to be two independent clauses that are connected using the comma. That means each clause or half of the sentence has to have a subject and a verb, and it must express a full thought. For example, let's take the sentence you wrote I was taught to never use a comma before the word and and I don't know how wrong that is. Ask yourself if you can separate the full statement into two independent clauses that make sense. In this case, you would actually place a comma after the first and because it separates two different sentences I was taught to never use a comma before the word and. and I don't know how wrong that is. You would connect those two complete thoughts with a comma, but keep in mind that the comma has to go BEFORE the second quotation mark-- commas after quotation marks are a big no-no. I was taught to never use a comma before the word and, and I don't know how wrong that is. As for commas in lists, the comma before the word and that separates the last item on the list is called the Oxford comma. It's grammatically acceptable to use or not use it, but make sure you're consistent in using it. It's generally frowned upon to use it in one sentence and then have it magically disappear the next time you write a list. Writers generally have a personal preference, and there is no right or wrong way. I personally like using the Oxford comma because it looks neater in my eyes. Example with the Oxford comma I grabbed the red shoes, purple bag, orange socks, and black sunglasses. Example without the Oxford comma I grabbed the red shoes, purple bag, orange socks and black sunglasses. For larger, more extensive lists that contain commas within the actual listed items, it's advised that you use semi-colons to separate the items rather than commas. Example with the semi-colon There are three basic dining utensils the fork, which has several tines on one end the spoon, which has a shallow bowl on one end and the knife, which has a cutting blade. In general, here's the quick and dirty rundown of using commas CASE 1 Separating items in a list See more Commas are used to separate three or more items in a list. Example Today I decided on wearing my black dress, red heels, and black Chanel purse. CASE 2 Separating two independent clauses using a coordinating conjunction See more The seven coordinating conjunctions and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. The comma goes before the conjunction. Example The game was over, but the crowd refused to leave. Correct The clauses have to be independent of each other in order for the comma to be grammatically correct. The clauses have to express a full thought, and each must contain a subject. Correct The clauses have to express a full thought, and must contain a subject. Incorrect The clauses have to express a full thought and must contain a subject. Correct CASE 3 Free Modifiers See more Free modifiers are words or phrases placed in the middle of sentence but are not essential to the main sentence. The word or phrase is separated by two commas. Make sure the modifier is not essential to the main sentence by taking it out. Does it still make sense? Example This Friday, which happens to be my best friend's birthday, is the only day I'm available to meet. phrase Without the modifier This Friday is the only day I'm available to meet. Example I appreciate your hard work. In this case, however, you seem to have over-exerted yourself. word Without the modifier I appreciate your hard work. In this case you seem to have over-exerted yourself. DON'T use commas in essential modifiers. If the sentence is not the same after the modifier is taken out, then the modifier is essential. Example The baby wearing a yellow jumpsuit is my niece. Correct wearing a yellow jumpsuit identifies the baby Here is the similar sentence that uses a non-essential modifier My niece, wearing a yellow jumpsuit, is playing in the living room. CASE 4 Introductory phrases or words that come before the main sentence See more Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while. Example Yes, the package should arrive tomorrow morning. While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door. Note that the same is not true if you reverse that sentence The cat scratched at the door, while I was eating. Incorrect The comma is not needed, and the sentence should be The cat scratched at the door while I was eating. Correct CASE 5 Separating adjectives that describe the same noun See more Use commas to separate equal adjectives that describe the same noun. This is only correct if 1 the sentence makes sense if the adjectives are reversed, and 2 the sentence still makes sense if and was written between the adjectives. Example She was a vain, haughty woman. Correct She was a haughty, vain woman. She was a vain and haughty woman. Example I bought a thick, wool scarf. Incorrect I bought a wool, thick scarf. I bought a thick and wool scarf. The correct sentence should be I bought a thick wool scarf. Correct. The exception to this rule occurs when the phrase is a common expression. Example He put on his girlfriend's little black dress. Example I helped the little old lady cross the road. CASE 6 Commas used to indicate a pause in the sentence See more Self-explanatory. This comma is used to indicate pauses. Example You're one of Ariamella's close friends, aren't you? Example The girl is merely shy, not a bitch. CASE 7 Commas in geographical places, dates or addresses, and titles in names See more Also self-explanatory Example Birmingham, Alabama, gets its name from Birmingham, England. Example Ariamella, Ph.D, will be giving a lecture tonight over punctuation and grammar. CASE 8 Shifting in and out of quotations See more This is also self-explanatory, but make sure to place the commas appropriately. They always go before the quotation mark. Example Ariamella turned to Mr Quixotic and said, Hey, I think you're a turd. Example Stop being a bitch, he answered back, and get out of here. A big part of comma usage is intuitive. Do you feel you need a pause there? Does it make sense? There are A LOT more rules and exceptions, but the ones listed above are the ones that are commonly known. Comma usage is not limited to one, two, or even five in a sentence as long as they are grammatically correct, you can have as many as you like. I personally love commas. They are my beautiful grammatical babies that make sentences look and feel elegant. Here is an example of a 239-word sentence that is completely grammatically correct. It's hard to read, but it's not a run-on sentence at all! As for what bothers readers... If it's correct, it shouldn't bother readers at all! This post was ridiculously long, but I hope it helped you!