by Barbara Whitlock

Created on: January 03, 2007   Last Updated: June 11, 2010

How do you cook your articles: Do you use generous helpings of commas, or are you sparing? What makes for the best read? And what are the "rules" about comma usage? Those tiny marks have tripped up some of the best writers in the world. Actually the best ones have free rein to use as they choose. They rest of us follow tentatively.

At Helium, we emphasize the value of lived experience, rather than merely deferring to "the sources." While writing aficionados may recoil at such boldness, I have gathered the wisdom of Helium's writing community, through writing workshop forum Community Board discussions in early January of 2007, to couple next to the "authorities." With the help of many, I have synthesized a list of practical guidelines for comma use. By cutting down the excessive details, I'm hopeful that writers will find this guide useful. Perhaps, you will become intrigued to learn more; I cite references for further study at the end. Getting a command over how to use commas requires courage!

What is the purpose of a comma? When one reads, a comma denotes a pause; unfortunately, writers sometimes hear their words in their head and just throw in commas wherever they pause. As one becomes increasingly aware of the structure of a sentence, heightened awareness to the role of commas develops. One Helium writer highlighted the prescription that commas cause separations that should serve to increase clarity. Excellent advice, indeed!

How do you know when to use or not to use a comma?

1. Identify the essential parts of the sentence: the main subject (noun) and the main action that subject performs (predicate or verb). There are other essential parts, like to whom the subject directs the action (direct object) or from whom the subject receives the action (indirect object). The parts of speech issues are not important, only what one eliminates. The other aspects to eliminate are descriptive words: those that describe a noun (adjectives) and those that describe a verb (adverb). The key remains paring down your sentence to that essential subject and predicate.

2. Now you are ready to figure out what is non-essential to the meaning of the sentence. I often use the image that commas are like hooks that hold non-essential or extra stuff to a main sentence. Commas help you hook these on.

Eg. Sally, who carried a distinguished silk purse, scraped awkwardly against an unsuspecting gentleman, as he carried packages, held the door, and tried to make way for her to enter the

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