How do I use commas? (pt. 1)
Why commas aren’t as scary as you think and how to use them properly.
Commas. There aren’t many elements of a sentence that cause quite as much confusion. I remember a teacher telling my elementary school class that whenever you pause in a sentence, a comma should be inserted. That’s not exactly helpful if you’re writing while running on a treadmill. That sentence would be full of commas!
Here’s one way to use commas that relies on rules, not guesswork.
When you have a sentence with two independent clauses AND they’re connected by a coordinating conjunction, you need a comma.
Let’s break that down.
Independent clause: this is a phrase that has a subject, verb, and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence.
Coordinating conjunction: all you need to do is remember FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
Here are some real-life examples.
✨ Needs a comma: My kids love sledding, but they love hot chocolate even more.
✨ Doesn’t need a comma: She knew she should go for a walk but decided to take a nap instead.
You can also watch this catchy video that summarizes this rule.
Grammar doesn’t have to be confusing. That’s what these blog posts are all about. And if you need some extra help making your written content compelling, targeted to your audience, and error-free, let’s talk!
