BY KRISTINA HARRIS
Editors follow two basic laws when it comes to grammar rules: Enforce all the grammar rules and regulations. After ensuring that everyone is thoroughly tired of being schooled on the rules, allow them to break the rules.
Yep, it’s true. In the name of Voice, we are happy to let authors break the rules—as long as they know they are doing it, it contributes to the story, and it makes sense.
BUT, I’ve seen quite a lot of strange comma usage errors running around lately. Commas seem so easy, right? Still, let’s do a quick refresher course. It’ll be fun, I promise! (Hey, you, in the back of the class, stop snoring!)
First of all, if you are shaky about when to use commas between adjectives, bookmark out this post by Jessica Shen.
Basically, a comma helps break down sentences into information that makes sense to your readers.
Do:
Commas separate lists. And yes, here at The X, we love the Oxford Comma.
Go get some scissors, paper, and pencils.
Use a comma before a quote, unless the quote is within a sentence.
The old man said, “We need to run!”
Many people say “I’m sorry” and don’t really mean it.
Dates
July 4, 1776 versus July 1776 versus 4 July 1776
Use a comma to set off an introductory phrase.
When they went to the movies, they sat in the front row.
Use a comma to set off a part of a sentence that gives more information but can be removed without changing the meaning. (It’s called a parenthetical phrase.)
How am I, an experienced chef, supposed to work with only canned foods?
Don’t:
Don’t use a comma if you are separating a list of things with conjunctions.
She didn’t want the chicken or the pizza or the steak for dinner.
Don’t use a comma to separate two independent clauses. Add a conjunction, period, or semicolon.
(NO) The cat chased the mouse, he didn’t catch it.
(YES) The cat chased the mouse; he didn’t catch it.
Don’t use a comma to separate two actions of one subject. You can test this, because you can’t make two sentences out of them.
Larry went to the store and bought tortillas.
However, if the sentence looked like this, you do add a comma, because now there are two subjects—“Larry” and “he.” You can test this because you can make two sentences if you remove the “and.”
Larry went to the store, and he bought tortillas.
Don’t use a comma to separate a dependent clause from an independent clause when the independent one comes first.
She was happy because he brought her flowers.
His dog wouldn’t walk up the stairs as long as the cat was standing there.
Of course, if the dependent clause is first, shove that comma right in there!
Because he brought her flowers, she was happy.
As long as the cat was standing there, his dog wouldn’t walk up the stairs.
Finally: Don’t assume that just because there is a pause, a comma goes there. Sometimes this is true, but not always.
Okay, there is a lot more information out there about commas and clauses and such, but that’s enough information for one day. Go get back to writing. Class dismissed!
Kristina has made reading and writing a focal point in her life. No matter how busy she is, she has always found relaxation in books and editing. She started her published career in her high school newspaper by submitting short stories. Now, she has edited three published works: two adult novels and one children’s book, and has written and edited for numerous national specialty magazines.
Kristina holds a degree in business administration, has been a model for a nationally recognized talent agency, and leads the way in her household, managing a husband, three sons, two dogs, two cats, a guinea pig, and a lizard!
Kristina’s next release with Xchyler Publishing, Legends and Lore: an Anthology of Mythic Proportions, will be available October 22, 2014. Her following project, On the Isle of Sound and Wonder by Alyson Grauer, is slated for released on November 21st.
