Get Control of Your Commas

Abstract

Comma placement matters: one wrong move and a sentence’s meaning can be radically shifted. But comma use is governed by a tricky combination of rules and preferences. In this chapter, we distinguish between the rules that writers should always follow and the editorial preferences that they might encounter. Using examples, we identify the most common comma errors and demonstrate how they can be avoided. We contrast these grammatical rules with more flexible uses of commas that reflect stylistic preferences. And we show that a sentence’s requirement for too many commas may be a signal that the sentence should be simplified or divided. Our aim is to empower writers to put commas to work for them and not against them as they strive for clear and unambiguous writing.

Please start cutting, Dr. Franklin.

Please start cutting Dr. Franklin.