Lapsing into a comma

Lapsing into a Comma    

"Commas don't seem to inspire shouting matches the way hyphens do, but opinions on their proper use probably vary even more widely. Because the comma often serves to their proper use probably vary even more widely. Because the comma often serves to symbolize a pause in speech, its use is subject to the vagaries of the human ear. There are hard-and-fast rules about commas, of course, but within those rules there is plenty of room for nuance and interpretation. The following items address common comma problems" 

1. If there's a new subject, use a comma; if not don't. 

Incorrect: Mike looked in the boys' room, but didn't find anything. 

Correct: Mike looked in the boys' room but didn't find anything. 

2. Comma "when" Comma "where" 

They arrived at 1313 Mockingbird Lane, where Lily and Herman Munster live. 

(separates the modifying clause) 

3. Direct Address 

Hi, Bill! A comma is needed between salutations and proper names, although Walsh admits that such conventions are disappearing from cyber communications. 

4. Hometowns 

AP style stipulates that no comma be used when a hometown (or neighborhood in SCCC) is set off with "of". Therefore it would be: 

John Jones of Sherwood and Don Dake of Starr Pass... 

5. Serial Commas 

Commas are not used for the last item in a list, preceded by "and", BUT A comma SHOULD be used if any item in a series already contains the word "and" "His favorite comedy teams were Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, and Bob and David." (This is the AP Stylebook "toast, juice, and ham and eggs" rule." They also recommend a serial comma if the items are awkwardly long, or if each item would stand as a complete sentence: "I like Trix, I like Lucky Charms, and I like Cocoa Pebbles. 

6. Comma, Because 

Look at these two examples: 

She didn't wear her raincoat, because it was too warm. 

She didn't wear her raincoat because it was raining; she wore it because it matched her outfit. 

This is a distinction between essential and nonessential clauses. In the first example, drop the clause and the sentence is still true. In the second example, the sentence's meaning depends on the clause.

Craft Lesson, December 20, 2007

Based on Bill Walsh's book of the same name.

Mr Walsh is Chief Copy Editor of the Business Section of the Washington Post.