Use of Coma

The eat is a punctuation mark or spelling sign that indicates us within the speech small pauses that have different purposes. This sign is formed by a small oblique line in the shape of a hook, which is placed at the end of a word without intermediate spaces.

The comma can have different uses or functions. Some of the uses of the comma are normative, obligatory uses that serve so that a text can be understood correctly. Other uses of the comma, however, they are stylistic: the author places or not certain commas to give a certain rhythm or meaning to his text.

This sign is one of the most used; practically any text will have commas in its structure since its uses are very diverse. That is why it is important to know in which cases the comma should or should not be used; misuse of this punctuation mark can lead to misinterpretation of the text.

Let's see next, what are the normative uses of the comma; that is, the mandatory uses. Each one of the uses is explained and examples of sentences in which the referred use is used are added.

Uses of the comma (with example sentences)

1. Use of comma in enums:

The comma is used to separate the elements that make up an enum. These are usually simple; when you want to separate more complex elements or complete sentences, use the semicolon rather.

The comma is placed after each element. The last element of the full enumerations is introduced with a conjunction (y, e, ni); when we have incomplete enumerations, the etc.; this must be written preceded by a comma.

Let's look at some examples of enumerative comma:

• 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10…
• Antonio, Luis, Fernando, Guillermo, Leopoldo, Alfredo and José Luis.
• It will be open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
• We have the planning for each month: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, etc.
• We will use red, blue and purple as main colors for the advertisement.

2. Use of the comma to separate explanatory paragraphs:

Commas are used to separate words, phrases or sentences that are used in an explanatory or accessory sense within more complex sentences Subparagraphs between commas do not alter the syntax of the sentence; it is a use similar to that of the parentheses.

The items can be:

a) Explanatory statements (noun phrases that function as an explanation of a noun or name):

• Eduardo, the friend of the family, is very strong ("the friend of the family" is an explanatory apposition of the name Edward).
• I listened to a lecture by Gabriel García Márquez, one of my favorite novelists (“one of my favorite novelists” is an apposition of Gabriel Garcia Marquez).

b) Adjectives or explanatory adjective sentences (these sentences are introduced by a relative, like what, which, who, whose, where, when, how, how much):

• The park, sunny, is our favorite place to go for a walk (the commas delimit the explanatory adjective sunny).
• I would not miss the last episode for nothing, which will happen tomorrow at eight (the commas delimit the explanatory adjective sentence which will happen tomorrow at eight).

c) Phrases or explanatory sentences of any kind, for example:

• All my dogs, except the newly acquired puppy, are vaccinated.
• The applause, for a change, was deafening.
• We are going to have, believe it or not, a date Rosa and me.

3. Using the comma to separate the vocative from the rest of the sentence

The vocative is a word or a series of words that are used in appellative function to call the interlocutor or have their attention. These words are isolated from the rest of the sentence with a comma or two, depending on where you are:

• ¡Richard, come say hi! (Richard is the vocative; as the sentence begins, the comma is placed after).
• This garbage dump was the park of this town. Can you imagine my friend? (my friend is the vocative; as the sentence ends, the comma is placed before to separate it from the rest).
• Please, Peter, rest tomorrow. (Peter is the vocative; as it is in the middle of the sentence, a comma is placed before and another after).

4. Use of the elliptical comma to omit or substitute a verb.

The elliptical comma is used to replace a verb that has already been mentioned in an earlier statement. The verb, therefore, is understood by the context. Sentences that use this type of commas are usually separated by semicolons, since they are sentences that have a meaning relationship.

Let's look at some examples of elliptical coma:

• Francisco practiced wrestling and karate in this gym; Adrián, box, judo and taekwondo. (The elliptical comma substitutes in the second sentence for the verb practiced: Adrian, (practiced) boxing ...)
• I'm thirsty; your hunger. (The elliptical comma substitutes in the second sentence for the verb have: you, (are) hungry)
• Falling in love is very simple; keep love, difficult. (The elliptical comma substitutes in the second sentence for the verb be: keep love, (is) difficult).

5. Using the comma to separate sentence segments that are grammatically equivalent

This comma is used when we have phrases or sentences that are similar in structure and syntax.

Let's see some explained examples of this type of coma:

• I would like to laugh, I would like to dance, I would like to live life to the fullest (these sentences are separated by commas because they are similar: they start with the structure I'd like…)
• You are who you are because of what you are, because of what you have been, because of what you will be (these members of the sentence are separated by commas because they are equivalent: they begin with the preposition for).
• I have many things to do: take care of my children in the morning, go to work afterwards, pick them up from school, attend a meeting in the afternoon, and go home to do housework.

6. Using the comma to separate interjections

Interjections are invariable words with which we express an emotion, for this reason they are usually written between exclamation marks. When they are within a sentence, they must be separated with commas.

Let's see some examples:

• Oh what good food they brought us! (The comma separates the interjection ah).
• Bah, as if I care! (The comma separates the interjection Bah).
• Oh, I understand the meaning! (The comma separates the interjection oh).
• Hello, I had not seen them! (The comma separates the interjection Hello).
• Oh, that really hurt! (The comma separates the interjection Oh).

7. Using the comma to separate coordinated sentences by distributive conjunctions

The distributive conjunctions They are pray good Y already. These conjunctions form coordinated sentences in which ideas that are alternative or opposed are presented.

These conjunctions are written in pairs and each coordinated sentence must be separated with commas, as follows:

• conjunction + coordinated sentence + comma + conjunction + coordinated sentence: Ora Ora..; well well...; now... now...

Let's look at some examples of distributive coordinate sentences separated by commas:

• Now we are presented with a solution to the problem, now there are ten more problems.
• You already make a decision, you already regret it and you begin to analyze the details.
• We may well continue to strive, we may well give up right now.

8. Use of the comma when the regular order of the syntax is altered

The parts of a sentence must be separated when it is written in a different order than normal: subject + verb + complements. This usually happens when a sentence is started by a verb complement or when compound sentences begin with the subordinate clause instead of the main clause.

Let's see some examples explained:

• As I am very hungry, I will go eat a delicious hamburger.
• When you decide to register, you can contact us at one of the following emails.
• Even if you don't want to tell the truth, sooner or later it will come out.
• When she was just a child, she discovered what her passion was: she loved to sing and play music.

9. Use of the comma after introductory phrases

The comma is used to separate sentences or phrases that begin with an introductory phrase. These phrases are normally used to introduce a topic and structure the speech: Regarding, regarding, regarding, regarding, regarding, regarding... Let's look at some example sentences:

• Regarding the results obtained, the thesis raised in the present research work was verified.
• With regard to their diet, they are herbivorous animals.
• In relation to his request, we inform you that it has been approved.
• Regarding the end of the story, in the final scene a large part of the concepts raised by the director are condensed.
• Regarding its durability, with average use it can last up to five years.

9. Use of the comma after links or phrases

The comma is used to separate certain phrases or links from the rest of the sentence, such as the following: this is, however, nevertheless, now well, first, second, last, therefore, therefore, thus, as a general rule, in summary. Let's look at some example sentences

• First, we have to make an urban and social evaluation of the environment.
• Thus, this type of diet will help you speed up your metabolism and have better digestion.
• In short, different types of learning techniques are required depending on the student.
• The situation between the two countries is critical. Therefore, there are many expectations about the meeting of the leaders.
• There are no studies to prove it. However, there are cases in practice.

11. Use of the comma in construction not only... but ...

The comma is used in this construction to separate the sentences entered by only Y otherwise; it is a copulative sentence. Let's see some examples:

• Not only did we coincide on the plane, but we ended up staying at the same hotel.
• There is not only one way to do things, but several ways or methods to reach the same result.
• He not only likes to dance and sing, but he is also skilled at playing guitar and piano.
• Not only does he not obey his parents, but he has a rude attitude.
• He is not only generous to the people he meets, but to everyone in general.
• Not only is money important in life, but also what cannot be bought with money.

12. Use of the comma before adverse conjunctions but, more, although

The comma is placed before the locution to separate the copulative sentence that it introduces:

• We spend part of our savings this month, but we will be able to save more money next month.
• The coupon is still valid until next week, but they did not want to accept it at the store.
• Today has been a bad day, although there have been worse days.
• The coffee was already cold, but I drank it because I was very sleepy.
• Doctors had already carried out several tests, but they had not been able to determine the cause of the ailment.

13. Use of comma before consecutive links so, so, so, so

The comma is placed before the conjunction or consecutive phrase to separate the sentence that it introduces:

• You spend your money on unnecessary things, so you are not a well-managed person.
• They offered me a job but it was in another city, so I couldn't accept it.
• More cases have occurred in the area, so the police began investigating the incidents.
• You have a high fever, so you probably have an infection.

14. Use of the comma before salvo, except and minus

Let's look at some examples of sentences in which the comma is used before except except Y less to enter an explanatory or clarifying phrase:

• We will all go to the pool, except Elena because she is not feeling well.
• I like almost all drinks except hot teas.
• The students passed the math test, except for one, which was one point short to pass.
• It seemed that everyone was satisfied with the decision, except Alberto, who was annoyed.