Writing Tip Wednesday--Comma Usage Part 3

Commas demand a lot of attention, don't they? I'm wrapping up this topic today with Comma Usage Part 3!

If you missed Part 1 and Part 2, be sure to check them out!

1) Use commas with "not" phrases.
Examples:
She wanted brownies for her birthday, not chocolate cake.
Not to be outdone, the other peacock fanned its tail feathers.
I need an electrician, not a plumber, to install a new circuit breaker.

2) Commas are needed with "the more" and "the less" in longer sentences, but are unnecessary with shorter phrases.
Examples:
The more they tried to repair the paint job, the worse the car looked.
The less time he spent at the arcade, the more time he had for studying.
The better her grades, the more likely she is to earn a scholarship.
The more the merrier.

3) Use commas to set off names of places.
Examples:
She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but now she lives in northern Minnesota.
Have you ever been to the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas?
He accidentally bought a plane ticket to Springfield, Missouri, instead of Springfield, Illinois.

While the combination of all three parts of this series doesn't list all aspects of comma usage, I've covered those used most often in fiction writing. When in doubt, look up the rule. In case you missed the memo, get a copy of your style guide, like Chicago Manual of Style, as a reference. Keep it with your writing materials. Use it!

Next week, let's talk about that sometimes indefinable thing called Voice.

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Writing Tip Wednesday--Comma Usage Part 2

Are you ready for another dose of Comma Usage rules???

Let's dive right in! Here goes...

1) Commas can be used with parenthetical (supplementary/non-essential) elements for slight breaks. Use an em-dash for a stronger break.
Examples:
She bought the thigh-high boots, even though she'd never wear them in public.
Romance heroes are handsome and muscular, for the most part.
The trip wasn't cancelled, in spite of the nasty weather.

2) Use commas with non-restrictive phrases. If a descriptive phrase isn't essential to the sentence's meaning, it's non-restrictive.
Examples:
The boy, with the helmet perched sideways on his head, turned toward the rumbling Harley.
The doe, trailed by her trio of fawns, grazed her way across the yard.

3) Always use commas with dependent clauses that begin sentences, including participial and adverbial phrases.
Examples:
If he saw one more tear, he'd break down and forgive her. (dependent clause)
Without any money, they couldn't rent a room for the night. (dependent clause)
Exhausted from the chase, she ducked into the tangle of briars to catch her breath. (participial phrase)
After hours of waiting, he no longer had any patience. (adverbial phrase)

4) Use commas to separate a listing of two or more adjectives before a noun when they can be connected by "and" and adding commas won't affect the meaning. The order of the adjectives can be reversed and still make sense. Repeated adjectives also need commas.
Examples:
He shoved his fingers into the sticky, gooey dough.
The forecast is calling for a cold, rainy, overcast day.
Many, many people have phobias.

5) Direct addresses require commas. Remember "Let's eat Grandma." vs. "Let's eat, Grandma."???
Examples:
When did you arrive, Aunt Millie?
Miss, please close the door.
You, Mr. Drake, aren't welcome here.

6) Use a comma after an introductory "yes" or "no."
Examples:
Yes, you may sit there.
No, I wasn't expecting you.

In case you missed my other comma-related posts, check out Comma Usage Part 1, Comma Splices and Punctuation for Dialogue.

Next week, I'll tackle more ways to use commas. No, I don't expect you to remember them all!


Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!

Writing Tip Wednesday--Comma Usage Part 1

I don't know what I was thinking. Comma Usage? I could spend days talking about the rules--and the exceptions.

How about I make this topic a three-part series? I don't want to be held responsible for anyone's brain overload!

The Golden Rule: Get a copy of Chicago Manual of Style (or whichever style guide you prefer) and keep it handy while you're writing. Yes, I mention this in almost every WTW post, but good writing resources are essential to honing your craft. I'm sure I'll plug CMOS again next week too. :D

Remember, these rules can vary a bit from style to style!

1) Commas should be used with a combination of good punctuation judgment and ease of reading in mind. They can denote pauses, but aren't always necessary. Sometimes, they're used for clarity of meaning. If your critique partner/beta reader asks for clarification, a comma may solve the issue.

2) To use or not use the serial comma? The answer depends on which style you're following. CMOS advocates the use of the serial (Oxford, Harvard) comma when writing a list connected by a conjunction (and, or, etc.). The AP Stylebook says to use a serial comma only when absolutely necessary. My vote goes to "use." It often creates a clear understanding of the intended meaning.
Examples:
Dialogue punctuation can include quotation marks, commas, and periods. OR Dialogue punctuation can include quotation marks, commas and periods.
After the addition of potatoes, carrots, and cabbage, stir the soup and cover with a tight-fitting lid. OR After the addition of potatoes, carrots and cabbage, stir the soup and cover with a tight-fitting lid.
The valedictorian thanked his favorite teachers, his parents, and his uncle. OR The valedictorian thanked his favorite teachers, his parents and his uncle. (This one brings up the clarity issue. Are his parents and his uncle his favorite teachers?)
He bought birthday gifts for his mother, sister, and wife. OR He bought birthday gifts for his mother, sister and wife. (Here's another case of necessary punctuation. Is his mother also his sister and his wife?)

3) Use commas with non-restrictive clauses. If the clause can be removed from the sentence without changing the meaning, it's non-restrictive. This was a major issue in a couple contest entries I judged this year.
Examples:
The shoes were made of cloth, which had been woven by local artisans.
The electrician, who wasn't licensed or bonded, short-circuited the entire house.

4) Use commas with non-restrictive appositives. An appositive is an equivalent explanation to a noun. If this alternative can be removed without confusing the reader about the noun to which it refers, it's non-restrictive.
Examples:
My favorite animated movie, Despicable Me, is available on DVD.
Her sister, Karen, has two children. (This works here if she has only one sister. If she has two or more sisters, the appositive becomes restrictive and commas shouldn't be used.)

Okay, time for a deep breath. We'll cover more on Comma Usage next week!

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With A Kick!