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Has the Comma Outlived its Usefulness?

January 13, 2023

comma usefulness

A comma is an important tool for writers because it helps to clarify the meaning of a sentence and makes it easier for readers to understand.

One of the primary uses of a comma is to separate items in a list. For example, “I need to buy milk, bread, eggs, and cheese” is much clearer than “I need to buy milk bread eggs, and cheese.” The commas make it clear that these are separate items, rather than one long string of words.

Commas are also used to separate clauses in a sentence. For example, “I was going to the store, but I forgot my wallet” is much clearer than “I was going to the store but I forgot my wallet.” The comma makes it clear that the two clauses are related, but have different meanings.

Commas are also used to set off non-essential phrases or clauses. For example, “The man, who was wearing a red hat, walked by” makes it clear that the fact that the man was wearing a red hat is not essential to the sentence. Without the comma, it would appear that the man and the red hat are essential to the sentence.

In addition, commas can be used to indicate a pause in speech or to separate direct quotations from the rest of the sentence.

In short, the comma is an essential tool for writers. It helps to clarify the meaning of sentences, make them easier to read and add emphasis or pause where needed. Without commas, our writing would be much harder to understand and less precise. So, next time you are writing, don’t forget the importance of a comma.

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