The Writer’s Greatest Punctuation Nemesis: The Dreaded Comma (it’s really not that bad)
If you ask writers what their greatest punctuation problem is, they’ll likely say the comma, or more precisely, comma use. What is it about this seemingly innocuous little eyelash of a mark that makes people leery?
The Rules
There are dozens of rules and exceptions that govern the use of commas. I believe it is the rules themselves that confuse people to the point of being afraid using or misusing them.
But are the rules really so terrible?
But are the rules really so terrible?
Actually, the rules are simple, but the vocabulary used to describe the rules is what is scary. After all, who but an English teacher would remember the difference between an independent, introductory, or nonessential clause? Or even a clause, for that matter (no, it’s not the man in the red suit with a long white beard).
The rules themselves make understanding comma use more difficult.
I suggest writers forget about the rules of comma use.
So what should a writer do instead?
The rules themselves make understanding comma use more difficult.
I suggest writers forget about the rules of comma use.
So what should a writer do instead?
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