Comma Rules (Part 2)

Remember that time that my Grammar Queen Kate came out and gave you all comma rules? Well here we have more of them! I’m actually going to do a third post at some point because there are so many rules.

(Note: I’m totally fine with people leaving out commas for style, especially when it’s apparent. Blog posts/Facebook/etc. aren’t essays being graded and I understand that. However, just having commas in for no particular reason is really, really annoying. Oh, and commas can completely change the meaning of a sentence!)

Use commas between two adjectives that are interchangeable and if you’re repeating them for emphasis.

Examples:

You are a sad, strange little man.

I’m really, really in love with coffee.

Use commas and a coordinating conjunction to connect two independent clauses. Coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yes, so. These can be remembered with the acronym FANBOYS.

Example:

I wrote the blog post ahead of time, and I scheduled social media posts to promote them.

Note – “because” is NOT a coordinating conjunction! It is incorrect to put a comma before “because.” This is a mistake made all the time, and I’ll admit that I make it sometimes, too.

Use a comma after introductory word. These include oh, yes, no, and well.

Example:

Well, I was going to write a post about a crazy person.

Use commas to set apart unnecessary words and phrases from the sentence.

Examples:

By the way, I like your blog.

When you went to the grocery store, by the way, did you pick up milk?

If a dependent clause begins a sentence, use a comma after it.

Example:

When you write your new blog post, make sure you proofread for comma errors.

Heeeyyyy!! My name is Ashley but my good friends call me Ash. My blog is The Grits Blog – weird name right?! Welll not so much. The name is my ode to the place or rather region that I am from – the south. Hopefully, you enjoy grits as much as I do and HOPEFULLY that will translate you into loving my blog. Although, there really shouldn’t be any hope required – it should just happen – when you see posts about crack dip, perfect wave tutorials, and tales from the wise chee.

Kate Mitchell

Kate Mitchell is a blogger, chronic illness patient, and advocate who helps people understand chronic illness and helps chronic illness patients live their best lives.