Commas are one of the most commonly used punctuation tools, but also one of the most misused in the writer’s toolbox. You may come across prose littered with stray commas, or you may encounter writers who simply omit the punctuation, creating wildly confusing sentences with no breaks in sight.
You may have been taught to use a comma when the reader would naturally pause, or need to take a breath, but that’s just a guideline. Of course, grammar gets more specific. There are, in fact, explicit grammar rules to govern the application of commas. But those rules can vary from style guide to style guide, creating a more confusing mess for even skilled writers. So we’re here to clear up some of the most useful rules in an attempt to end the plight of the comma.
About Author
Bill Thompson, Jr. is a trial lawyer with extensive experience seeking compensation for serious harm caused by, among others, Hospitals, Physicians and other healthcare providers (Federal and State), Manufacturers of dangerous products and drugs (Ford, General Motors, Michelin, and pharmaceutical companies), Common Carriers (US Airways, Carnival Cruise Lines), Class Actions involving Data Breaches, product liability, Airline Crashes, and any other negligent act leading to harm for many. We have nationwide experience in State and Federal courts, traveling wherever significant cases merit. We are often asked to appear in cases by motion with local partners in places as varied as Michigan, Massachusetts, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and every jurisdiction in Florida.