Commas

[Petra]

I am, a hopeless, overuser, of the comm,a. Although, I'm sure, none of you, have ever, noticed. ;)

So I'd like to ask a couple of questions. When and where should one use a comma in a sentence? What are the general rules of thumb here? How can one avoid COS (Comma Overuse Syndrome)?

HELP!

[Dingfod]

In my one-day business communications class that I took about 13 or 14 years ago, the instructor said to use punctuation to make your communication flow like conversational speech. Like, you know, every day talk, 'n' stuff. It made sense to me. It's better than not using them at all.

Now. Let's. Talk. About. Periods. O.K.?


Warren, probably a comma abuser

[Petra]

Now. Let's. Talk. About. Periods. O.K.?




No. Fuck off. Mine's due, and you're in trouble for reminding me.

Btw, they're called "full stops" :P

[Dingfod]

No. Fuck off. I guess that's better than "Go Cheney yourself."

Just trying to help.

Minimizing periods. (http://www.courier-journal.com/features/health/2004/03/G1-noperiods0311-13707.html)

Again, just trying to help.


Warren

[Petra]

I guess that's better than "Go Cheney yourself."

Just trying to help.

Minimizing periods. (http://www.courier-journal.com/features/health/2004/03/G1-noperiods0311-13707.html)

Again, just trying to help.


Warren

From your link:
Pelvic Pain Regional Specialty Center

Now that looks like a place in need of some serious commas.


(Did ya like the way I artfully brought that back on topic? ;))

[Dingfod]

(Did ya like the way I artfully brought that back on topic? ;))But, you didn't say where you wanted them to put those commas. :D


War,ren.

[Petra]

But, you didn't say where you wanted them to put those commas. :D


War,ren.

Warren, if I knew where to put those, commas I wouldn't have opened, this op silly!

[Hugo Holbling]

What are the general rules of thumb here?

There is some good advice in these (http://www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/eduweb/grammar/course/punctuation.htm) notes, Petra.

[Godot]

I think that this would be the perfect opportunity to recommend this (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1592400876/102-5753274-2086521?v=glance) book. It ain't that often that a book about punctuation becomes a bestseller, but this one earns it. Educational and funny!

(I also find it funny that Hugo's link leads to a place just down the road from me. :D)

[livius drusus]

I second Godot's recommendation of Eats Shoots & Leaves. Click here (http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1843961) for a great NPR interview with author Lynne Truss. She is an intelligent, charming and witty woman, and it shows on every page of the book.

It will answer all your comma concerns and so much more, I'm sure, luna.

[Adora]

I always get fucked using hyphens and semicolons. Freud, y'think?

[Petra]

Thank you for your replies. :)

Hugo, that link is most useful and has been bookmarked. Thank you.

The book purchase will have to wait as I'm swamped with winter bills right now, but again I've bookmarked it, and when the cost of heating goes down it'll be a definite purchase. Thank you, livius and Godot.

I think I'm getting the hang of it, and should anyone read something with too many unnecessary commas in it, I expect y'all to scold me. Besides, I like being scolded. Spanked, even.

I think I've also figured out where the comma should go in the above example from warrenly's link: Pelvic Pain, Regional Specialty Center. Yep. I think I've got the hang of it. :D

[JoeP]

Luna, prise off the comma-key and remove the contact.

For one, I have never noticed you using too many, or misplaced, commas.

I'm amazed and impressed :bow: that we even have conversations like this. There are some boards where mos participants dont care about commas...or any punctuation at all...except these dots...or capitals...dude

[livius drusus]

There are some boards where mos participants dont care about commas...or any punctuation at all...except these dots...or capitals...dude

God, I hate ellipsis abuse. Hate it. I feel like every sentence is written by Shatner ca 1968.

[Albion]

I agree - "Eats, Shoots and Leaves" is hilarious as well as informative.

However, it's written by a British author for a British audience and hasn't been changed for the American edition. There are quite a few differences, most notably the use of the Oxford comma, where British usage is "A, B and C" (as in the book title) and American usage is "A, B, and C." Your best bet might be a quick read of the comma section of the Chicago Manual of Style if you can find it in a library.

[nvexio]

I, however, think that, you know, if it rains, like, inside, that's bad.

that's the closest i could get to using a shitload of commas correctly (and i use correctly losely)...

[JoeP]

God, I hate ellipsis abuse. Hate it. I feel like every sentence is written by Shatner ca 1968.
dude...wotz ellipsis???

:abducted:

That's better. Normal communication restored.

[nvexio]

....................... lolol

[livius drusus]

Evil.