When writers applicability commas correctly, they cooperate readers fabricate concept of text. However, when commas are not used correctly, readers may acquire to ponder over a sentence to cognize its meaning. This causes the reader to consider approximately the writing instead of the note continuance delivered, which is always a note of bad writing. At Precise Edit, we study the identical three comma errors repeatedly, so we hit the overhaul below to comfort you cultivate your own writing.

Problem One: Comma before conjunctions that annex two independent clauses
First, let's define the terms. In this case, the period conjunction refers to the coordinating conjunctions for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. (Some community manipulate the acronym FANBOYS to remembrance this dossier of coordinating conjunctions.) The interval independent clause refers to a all-inclusive sentence, if it stands alone or is thing of a longer sentence. Basically, provided the independent clause were to bow with a finance mail and point with a period, you would peruse it and say, "Yup, that's a replete sentence." Immediately let's inspect an exemplification using this statute correctly.

I adage her, and I smiled.
Both I proverb her and I smiled are independent clauses. All you desideratum to end is add punctuation, and they would be integral sentences. These two sentences are joined by the conjunction and. According to this rule, a comma should be placed in front of the conjunction. Firm enough, the comma is there. (We did divulge that this is a correctly example.) You might be thinking, "Yeah, nevertheless whether you permit absent that comma, I testament even fathom what the sentence is about." Well, that was a child's play example. Let's see at a couple of others that are a bit extended complicated.

She looked at me, and Bob, under the tree, sighed.
If you authorization elsewhere the comma before and, the reader will get to decide whether she looked at lone me or if she looked at me and Bob. Single when you distance the neb of the sentence can you cinch that she is looking at me and that Bob is the adult sighing.

Bob axiom her looking at me, so wistfully he walked away.
If you go-ahead away the comma before so, the reader might comprehend that she is looking at me so wistfully. Instead, Bob is the wistful one. Without that comma, the reader might unconsciously genuine the sentence this way:
Bob aphorism her looking at me so wistfully. He walked away.
In doing so, the reader fixes your punctuation incorrectly and has an incorrect forbearing of what you are trying to communicate.

Be careful with this rule. Sometimes what looks commensurate an independent clause might one shot be a phrase with an implied that. For example:
I knew that she loved me and she always would.
The phrase she always would looks cherish an independent clause, on the other hand it isn't. It is indeed an abbreviated design of that she always would. The intact sentence is I knew that she loved me and that she always would. This doesn't desire a comma according to the rule.

Problem Two: Comma after every intent in a series (not including the endure item)
First, let's define our terms. By series we close a list. For example:
She saying me, Bob, and Tom glaring at everyone other.
See that comma before and? It is referred to as the serial comma, or, for our British friends, the Oxford comma. That's the comma several writers consent out. To be considerably honest, some editors declare that comma is not necessary. After all, they say, the commas in the string are filling in for the term and, and on account of the and is already there, adding the comma is redundant. Why, then, arrange we assert that you should add it?

Here's the reason. Our basic ball-breaker as editors is to develop reader understanding. Sometimes items in lists are complicated and comprise two or and other items. Without that comma, the reader may hog complication how the items are grouped. For example:
Mary epigram me, Bob and Tom, and Administer walking in her line with amorous looks in our eyes.
With the comma after Tom the reader knows that Bob and Tom are walking stable and that Open and I are walking alone. Without the comma, the sentence is all the more correct, though clumsy, however it conveys a deviating meaning. The sentence
Mary maxim me, Bob and Tom and Direct walking in her order with amorous looks in our eyes
no longer tells the reader that Bob and Tom are calm or that Govern and I are walking alone.

Based on the preceding example, you might be thinking that you should simply add the comma when it improves generous on the contrary that you don't devoir it otherwise. Because we deem that punctuation account should be consistent (i.e., not changing from sentence to sentence), we always add that comma.

Problem Three: Comma after introductory subordinate phrases
First, let's define our terms. A subordinate phrase is a phrase that begins with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., since, when, although, as). These phrases are not independent clauses (think: full sentence) thanks to of that subordinating conjunction. They must be attached to an independent clause. Subordinate phrases broadcast when the leading transaction occurred, favor a case for it to occur, bequeath clashing earful about the action, or occurrence end and effect. (We accept another article about subordinating conjunctions that you may pleasure to scrutinize if this is confusing.) For example,
Since she did not akin any of us
is a subordinate phrase. If you were to catch outside the subordinating conjunction since, you would chalk up an independent clause, but with that conjunction, the phrase can no longer exist alone (at least not correctly). The other term, introductory, is basic to understand. It income at the genesis of the sentence. Momentarily let's look an excuse using this decree correctly.

Although we were besotted with love, we knew that our investigation for her love was pointless.
(Note to our early workman readers: that's life.) The phrase Although we were besotted with love is a subordinate phrase giving incompatible counsel about the main agility knew, and it is at the basis of the sentence. Thus, it needs to be followed by a comma.

Close the previous rule, some humans concede with it, and others anticipate it is one exigent when the introductory subordinate phrase is longer than some arbitrary amount of words. For example, some tribe disclose to adoption this comma when the phrase is five or another words. However, coextensive the intention why we always operate the serial comma, we prefer to be consistent. You will itch to brew your own finding on this. On account of this edict can be a bit confusing, we're providing a meagre expanded examples.

As he ran out from Mary, Tom fell and skinned his knee.
Although his knee hurt, the rack in his love consumed his attention.
Because his affections had been crushed by Mary's indifference, Manage gave up on her and called Susan instead.
If Susan was not home, he would phone Clara.

Here's an case of a sentence that would be confusing without that comma:
While Susan did not yen him, calling her seemed approximative a pleasant idea.
Without the comma, the reader will read
While Susan did not hunger him calling her...
which will generate solution until the reader gets to seemed according to a admirable idea.

Some nation esteem the editors at Precise Redact are further picky. We passion to envision of ourselves as "detail oriented." That sounds better, right? Really, though, we are simply trying to boost reader empathetic and writer professionalism. Applying the rules above will avail you act the same.

When you are ready for professional service with your writing, contact Precise Edit.