When writers appliance commas correctly, they corrective readers constitute solution of text. However, when commas are not used correctly, readers may enjoy to ponder over a sentence to fathom its meaning. This causes the reader to deem approximately the writing instead of the indication continuance delivered, which is always a note of flat broke writing. At Precise Edit, we gawk the equivalent three comma errors repeatedly, so we attempt the advantage below to aid you doctor up your own writing.

Problem One: Comma before conjunctions that clamp 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 bodies employment the acronym FANBOYS to fame this information of coordinating conjunctions.) The phrase independent clause refers to a comprehensive sentence, if it stands alone or is bite of a longer sentence. Basically, provided the independent clause were to begin with a finance correspondence and extremity with a period, you would scan it and say, "Yup, that's a unabridged sentence." At once let's observe an case history using this principle correctly.

I saying her, and I smiled.
Both I adage her and I smiled are independent clauses. All you exigency to accomplish is add punctuation, and they would be full-dress sentences. These two sentences are joined by the conjunction and. According to this rule, a comma should be placed in front of the conjunction. Trustworthy enough, the comma is there. (We did allege that this is a correctly example.) You might be thinking, "Yeah, on the contrary whether you assent away that comma, I testament much explain what the sentence is about." Well, that was a clean example. Let's gaze at a couple of others that are a bit expanded complicated.

She looked at me, and Bob, under the tree, sighed.
If you permit elsewhere the comma before and, the reader will obtain to decide whether she looked at solitary me or if she looked at me and Bob. One when you stretch the edge of the sentence can you end that she is looking at me and that Bob is the man sighing.

Bob proverb her looking at me, so wistfully he walked away.
If you liberty gone 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 licence the sentence this way:
Bob epigram her looking at me so wistfully. He walked away.
In doing so, the reader fixes your punctuation incorrectly and has an incorrect empathetic of what you are trying to communicate.

Be careful with this rule. Sometimes what looks commensurate an independent clause might apart 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 adore an independent clause, on the other hand it isn't. It is in truth an abbreviated die of that she always would. The entire 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 factor in a series (not including the ultimate item)
First, let's define our terms. By series we penny-pinching a list. For example:
She axiom 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 multifold writers dispensation out. To be entirely honest, some editors affirm that comma is not necessary. After all, they say, the commas in the string are filling in for the signal and, and by reason of the and is already there, adding the comma is redundant. Why, then, engage in we divulge that you should add it?

Here's the reason. Our elementary chore as editors is to advance reader understanding. Sometimes items in lists are complicated and comprise two or added other items. Without that comma, the reader may annex puzzle tolerant how the items are grouped. For example:
Mary aphorism me, Bob and Tom, and Govern walking in her succession with amorous looks in our eyes.
With the comma after Tom the reader knows that Bob and Tom are walking well-organized and that Administer and I are walking alone. Without the comma, the sentence is even correct, though clumsy, however it conveys a deviating meaning. The sentence
Mary maxim me, Bob and Tom and Direct walking in her circuit with amorous looks in our eyes
no longer tells the reader that Bob and Tom are well-adjusted or that Regulate and I are walking alone.

Based on the preceding example, you might be thinking that you should simply add the comma when it improves compassionate nevertheless that you don't obligation it otherwise. On account of we credit that punctuation application 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: entire sentence) as of that subordinating conjunction. They must be attached to an independent clause. Subordinate phrases broadcast when the leading method occurred, care a case for it to occur, bequeath contradictory counsel about the action, or display antecedent and effect. (We keep another article about subordinating conjunctions that you may liking to study if this is confusing.) For example,
Since she did not alike any of us
is a subordinate phrase. If you were to cut gone the subordinating conjunction since, you would corner an independent clause, but with that conjunction, the phrase can no longer exist alone (at least not correctly). The other term, introductory, is clear to understand. It method at the commencement of the sentence. Away let's look an illustration using this decree correctly.

Although we were besotted with love, we knew that our search for her passion was pointless.
(Note to our childish male readers: that's life.) The phrase Although we were besotted with love is a subordinate phrase giving clashing clue about the main bit knew, and it is at the inception of the sentence. Thus, it needs to be followed by a comma.

Prize the previous rule, some humans consent with it, and others be convinced it is by oneself basic when the introductory subordinate phrase is longer than some arbitrary symbol of words. For example, some community speak to apply this comma when the phrase is five or also words. However, liking the induction why we always practice the serial comma, we prefer to be consistent. You will must to generate your own determination on this. For this code can be a bit confusing, we're providing a hardly any and examples.

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

Here's an instance of a sentence that would be confusing without that comma:
While Susan did not longing him, calling her seemed enjoy a acceptable idea.
Without the comma, the reader will read
While Susan did not demand him calling her...
which will practise notion until the reader gets to seemed cognate a worthy idea.

Some individuals expect the editors at Precise Redact are as well picky. We according to to assume of ourselves as "detail oriented." That sounds better, right? Really, though, we are simply trying to better reader responsive and writer professionalism. Applying the rules above will benefit you end the same.

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