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Are You a Comma Master?
Commas. Where do they go? Why did I throw one there? Does this phrase need one? Are seventeen commas in one sentence too many??? (Yes.)
I consider myself at intermediate level when it comes to comma placement. No matter how much I edit, I always find spots where I’ve misplaced them.
Are you a comma master?
Since I’m in the line-edit phase of a project, I’m overthinking the whole comma thing. Yesterday I got out my cheat sheet, a grammar book, and a CMOS style guide. I still had to look up specific examples online!
Let’s tackle the basics (thank you, Jan R., for graciously sharing these with me years ago!).
Commas go…
- before a coordinating conjunction joining independent clauses.
- after introductory phrase, especially if dependent.
- between items in a series.
- between coordinate adjectives.
- on either side of a nonrestrictive word group.
- to set off parenthetical expressions.
- in dates, addresses, titles, etc…
- where there might be confusion without one.
For a more thorough breakdown of comma usage, are a few sites I’ve bookmarked.
How are you with commas? Do you have any tips, sites, or books to recommend? I’d love to hear!
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In answer to your question. I believe I am a reformed comma master. I used to go by the ‘rule’ that a comma would go everywhere I stopped talking as I read aloud. It isn’t necessarily so.
I still downshift into that rule, Cecelia! It’s hard not to!
Jill, thanks for this lovely article.
I copyedit and proofread for authors and publishing companies, so, yes, I consider myself a comma master. That doesn’t mean I don’t still look things up to confirm. The rules are many, and my mind cannot keep track of everything on its own. Chicago Manual of Style is my go-to book for help with comma placement, but I also use a few trusted websites for further clarity and great examples.
Blessings,
Andrea
writingtoinspire.blogspot.com
You are awesome, Andrea. Seriously! I own a copy of Chicago Manual of Style, but it’s an intimidating beast! Ugh!
It was the same for me when my first editing boss required that I use it. That thing is FAT! After several books and helpful tips from said boss, I finally figured out the thing’s usage. Now I cruise through it like nobody’s business. Hang in there! This is definitely one of those “practice makes progress” sort of things. You can do it!