Commas! There. I said it. I’m a comma addict. I love them. They’re beautiful little things that add pause and sense and order to sentences—if you know how to use them correctly. Apparently, my lack of education is appalling.
You’re probably aware of this quote:
“I have spent most of the day putting in a comma and the rest of the day taking it out.” — Oscar Wilde
Well, it wasn’t quite that bad, but after a few hours of inserting, deleting, and sometimes re-inserting commas on one recent editing day, I decided to get smart and refresh my knowledge of comma usage rules. I say refresh because I thought I’d learned all the rules at one point. Not so.
What I discovered is that I use commas where they seem appropriate to me, but sometimes often I do so in ignorance. It’s not entirely my fault. I was taught the bogus rules of always using a comma before but and never using one before because. But other rules I’ve been breaking, I imagine some teacher tried to pound into my thick skull at one time.
I’m in luck. Recently, one of my sons bought me a copy of The Chicago Manual of Style, so I am currently experimenting to see if an old dog can learn new comma tricks. I started with nearly 5,100 commas in my 91,000+ word manuscript. I’m re-evaluating each one. That’s not quite as tedious as it sounds. So far, this exercise has resulted in many improved sentences in ways other than comma use. Even my readers who don’t care a whit about commas will appreciate that.
Here’s a link to the excellent punctuation section of the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL).
Linda Cassidy Lewis 
I had the same addiction to semicolons, but learned I was using them incorrectly in most cases. Now I stay away from them and feed my dash addiction. 🙂 I’ve never been seduced by the comma though. Hm.
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I guess we all have our punctuation weaknesses, splitlip. I think I have semicolons and dashes down—then again … 😕
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I have a confession that I am addicted to exclamation points!!! Happy Monday:)
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I use them mostly for fun, Renee. And often in triplicate on Facebook. 🙂
Have a wonderful week capturing the world with your camera.
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It sounds as though you and I might use the same system. I used to say I write by ear when it comes to using commas. I’m probably a bit better now than I used to be, but sometimes it just down right confusing. 🙂
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OMG, Laura, I’ve discovered my comma addiction was worse than I thought! :8: I’m horrified to think I’ve been subjecting readers to such a mess.
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A well placed coma is the difference between life and death for our little planet when it comes to the passing of Comets. SO….In comparison I’d say your habit is more manageable and far less of a danger for mankind. 😉
I hope that makes you feel a little better. 😀
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Thank you, DS. At least I know I’ve never killed anyone with a misplaced comma. 😀
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