commas to avoid confusion examples

Why are commas important?
Commas are an important tool used to create well-written documents but can create confusion in clauses and contrasting sentence parts when used incorrectly. Learn about commas, and explore ways to use them correctly and avoid confusion. Updated: 06/16/2022
Should a comma be omitted in a sentence?
In creative writing, you may omit the comma to control sentence flow. In business and academic writing however, commas between independent clauses can make longer sentences easier to read. The comma is often omitted when the two clauses are short. She sang and he danced.
What are some examples of commas?
Some examples are: A woman without her man is nothing. A woman, without her, man is nothing. He wasn’t killed mercifully. He wasn’t killed, mercifully. Writing clearly isn’t easy. Writing, clearly, isn’t easy. In all of the above examples, commas are used to prevent confusion.
Why is a comma a bad punctuation mark?
A comma indicates a pause. Therefore, overusing this punctuation mark can affect sentence flow and make writing difficult to read. We had locked every door and window; nevertheless, we lay awake the entire night. Moreover, our data shows that people are happier than ever before.

to Separate Items

Use commas to separate items in a series or list within a sentence, as in this example: The details required are name, date of birth, address and phone number. onlinewritingtraining.com.au

to Provide Extra Information

Commas are used to set apart incidental or extra information that could be removed from the sentence without fundamentally changing its meaning. (These clauses are known as non-restrictive or non-defining). Compare: All players who are now back in town deny the charges. All players, who are now back in town, deny the charges. Note that in the first

to Separate Clauses

You can use a comma to separate two independent clauses or ideas when they’re joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. The proposal looked promising, but some information was missing. In my opinion, there is often no need for these commas if the meaning is clear without them. onlinewritingtraining.com.au

After Introductory Statements

Use commas after introductory statements. On Tuesday 4 September, we plan to discuss the new housing development. Although it rained all weekend, the convention was still held. I’ve noticed that some writers are now omitting such commas if the meaning is clear. onlinewritingtraining.com.au

with A String of Adjectives Before A Noun

We often use commas with a string of adjectives before a noun. The shrub has large, serrated, shiny, heart-shaped leaves. As a rule of thumb, if you can reverse the order of the adjectives, use a comma. If you can’t reverse the order, you don’t need a comma. For example, compare: The room was damp, dirty and untidy. The girl had bright blue eyes an

to Avoid Repeating Words Unnecessarily

We use commas to avoid repeating words unnecessarily. In 2000 there were seven cases; in 1999, five; and in 1998, four. onlinewritingtraining.com.au

to Prevent Confusion at The End of A List

A comma is sometimes needed between the last two items in a list. This is known as the serial or Oxford comma. They should seek the support of landholders, philanthropists, government, and community and industry groups. An urban myth tells the story of a woman who left her estate to Jane, William, Mary and Anne. Jane and William argued that the est

For Titles

Commas separate names from titles. Ms Marika Weinberg, chief executive officer, presented the prizes. If the title comes before the name, you don’t need commas, but most organisations use initial capitals (this is a question of style). Managing Director John Smith proved an able leader. onlinewritingtraining.com.au

Around ‘Interrupters’

Use commas before and after words and phrases that ‘interrupt’ the sentence. For example: He is, however, going to sit the exam again. She agreed, reluctantly, to re-sit the exam. This article first appeared in Flying Solo. onlinewritingtraining.com.au

PDF	Rule 1. To avoid confusion use commas to separate words and Use a comma after phrases of more than three words that begin a sentence. If the phrase has fewer than three words the comma is optional. Examples: To apply

PDF	Year 5 Recognising Commas to Avoid Ambiguity Application and Questions 1 4 and 7 (Reasoning). Developing Explain how adding a comma to avoid ambiguity changes the meaning of a simple

PDF	Columbia College Example: "I was told" she said

PDF	WRITING CENTER ???/???/???? Use semicolons to avoid confusion when commas are used between elements in a series. Example: His tour included concert appearances in Austin ...

PDF	Commas.pdf Use a comma wherever necessary to prevent possible confusion or misreading. Example: To George Harrison had been a sort of idol. For more information

PDF	How to Use Semicolons Where the list items already contain commas a semicolon helps avoid confusion between the items; in this way the semicolon acts like a 'super comma'.

PDF	Across the Disciplines ???/???/???? The comma is a form of punctuation that was designed to prevent confusion within a sentence and to prevent the misreading of the sentence.

PDF	Commas Placement of commas affects sentence rhythm since they indicate a pause. of rhythm to place a comma when necessary to avoid confusion or misreading.

PDF	Common Errors Caused by lncorrect Punctuation - COMMAS The Fix: Just use the comma to avoid confusion but remember that the AP are phrases such as "in fact

PDF	Commas in a Series Note: In the above example: each of the phrases contains a series in which the members of the series are separated by commas; in order to avoid confusion

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PDF	Rule 1 To avoid confusion, use commas to separate - Crater BIS Rule 1 To avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with a series of three or more Example: My $10 million estate is to besplit among my

PDF	Using Commas Example: The Constitution establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial Use a comma wherever necessary to prevent possible confusion or misreading

PDF	Year 5 Recognising Commas to Avoid Ambiguity Application and Greater Depth Explain how adding a comma to avoid ambiguity changes the meaning of a multi-clause sentence that also contains other forms of punctuation for

PDF	Commas for Beginners - EdBooks The comma is also the most complicated of English's punctuation marks when it comes Here?s another example of how adding a comma can avoid confusion

PDF	LUC WRITING CENTER - “OXFORD, OR SERIAL COMMA USAGE choice, not a rule; however, most style guides still require the use of the Oxford comma to avoid confusion Examples: 1 My mother will only buy organic apples,

PDF	Commas in a Series - Walton College Note: In the above example: each of the phrases contains a series in which the members of the series are separated by commas; in order to avoid confusion,

PDF	Comma Abuse - Thomson Reuters Each of these uses of the comma is illustrated in the following examples [To avoid confusion, throughout this article "correct" examples are bolded and " incorrect

PDF	INSTRUCTIONS ON STYLE - Washington State Legislature "It is urged that the comma is the lowest and least significant of all punctuation marks We The following examples illustrate the proper use and To avoid confusion, the drafter should use the affirmative form, "A person may not ,"