Commas and meaning

 

A wirly, twirly, wiry web    🕸

In today’s age of texting, a lot of punctuation is forgotten and no wonder!

Fancy having punctuation on a separate keyboard from abc.

In the ‘old days’ before technology, a writer, writing by hand, could

automatically insert punctuation as the writing was currently being created.

You might say that sense is being made by not using commas on mobile

‘phones so why use commas when writing reports, letters, assignments etc?

Commas are used to make meaning clear

Commas are used to separate words and phrases. A person who is

reading a formal piece of writing will tell you that without the insertion of

appropriate commas, the reader may have momentary wonderings and ask

themselves, “Is that incorrectly expressed, what does that mean?” Well! it may

be the case that it just needs a comma negating the rereading of the phrase a

second ... or third time to clarify the meaning.

What commas certainly do, whether by their presence or their absence, is to powerfully change the 

meaning of a sentence.

Example 1

...how best teachers learn - best teachers learn [this way] OR

...how best, teachers learn – this is the most effective way for teachers to learn

(some advice)

Example 2

I’d hand you over to the nearest copper I could see that’d be the proper

thing to do -

hand you over to the nearest copper I could see (actually see with my eyes)... OR

I’d hand you over to the nearest copper, I could see that’d be the proper

thing to do - I could see (possibility) that’d be the proper thing to do

 

 

Example 3

It would have to be done quickly for once Sam advised the others everyone would know

done quickly for once (one time) OR It would have to be done quickly, for once Sam advised the others, everyone would know for once Sam advised, (wise advice) everyone would know

 

 The puzzle of whether a comma is written before ‘and’.

To refresh your memories of what was written 'Clauses and commas', ‘sentences are

made up of clauses. A main clause expresses a complete thought; it makes

sense written on its own. A subordinate clause, as its name suggests, is

subordinate to the main clause in a sentence. If a subordinate clause is

removed from the sentence, the sentence would still make perfect sense;

the subordinate clause simply provides additional information, description. BUT commas are tricky 

items! Comma use or non-use are determined by stylistic ‘guides’. Some guides

demand its use.

There is the Oxford comma, where a conjunction joins two independent clauses

with the comma placed before the conjunction (‘and’ being the conjunction in this

list), “Bring me a plate, cup, and saucer” while a guide like Associated Press, AP

Style, does not require the use of the comma “Bring me a plate, cup and saucer”.

Both sentences make sense.

Try these comparisons:

 “It’s hot outside, and I have to wear a hat” OR

“Its hot outside and I have to wear a hat.”

 

 “In the game of tennis a player serves, and he immediately runs to the net” OR

“In the game of tennis a player serves and he immediately runs to the net”.

 

 

At this time, I am reading a book by the admired Welsh author, Ken

Follett (which, incidentally, is not published by Oxford University Press), I

have found that he inserts a comma before ‘and’ to connect two main clauses,

for example, The French had been horrified, and Fitz had felt deeply

ashamed. Another example, ‘They had been schoolboys at Eton together,

and Remarc was one of Maud’s gossipy friends.’ However, Ken Follett does

not insert a comma before ‘and’ when a main clause is followed by a

subordinate clause, Cafes closed at eight and restaurants at nine-thirty.

This is ‘food for thought’!

 

I am more inclined to teach children the AP style, where two clauses, closely

connected do not necessitate a comma. The reason for this is that ‘and’ is a

conjunction and links clauses (main and subordinate) and (main and main).

The added pause (comma) between clauses seems over-kill. For example:

“The dog is unaware of the cars on the road and could be in danger” (main,

subordinate). “The dog is well trained and the dog does not bark” (main, main).

 

 

Commas written between adjectives

Coordinate adjectives are adjectives from the same category that can be

reversed ‘a brown, heavy box’ OR ‘a heavy, brown box’, necessitating a comma

insertion. But when ‘and’ is inserted ‘a brown and heavy box’ a comma is not

included.

Commas are not written between adjectives from different categories e.g.

yellow (colour) striped (shape).

The girl wore a green, red and yellow striped shirt. Note: You do not use a comma

between the final adjective and the noun it modifies. As ‘striped’ is paired with the

noun, there is no comma between yellow and striped. She is a kind, generous, loving human being. As above … loving human being