comma Definition
a punctuation mark (,) indicating a pause between parts of a sentence or separating items in a list..
Using comma: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "comma" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She paused, took a deep breath, and continued speaking.
Example
The grocery list includes apples, bananas, and oranges.
Example
In the sentence 'I love to eat, sleep, and play,' the comma separates the items in the list.
comma Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with comma
the use of a comma to join two independent clauses without a conjunction, creating a grammatical error
Example
The sentence 'I went to the store, I bought some milk' is a comma splice.
serial comma
a comma used after the penultimate item in a list of three or more items, before 'and' or 'or'
Example
In the list 'apples, bananas, and oranges,' the serial comma is the one after 'bananas.'
a comma used to separate a noun or pronoun from another noun or pronoun that renames or explains it
Example
In the sentence 'My friend, the doctor, is coming over tonight,' the comma of apposition separates 'my friend' from 'the doctor.'
Origins of comma
from Greek 'komma', meaning 'something cut off'
Summary: comma in Brief
A 'comma' [ˈkɒmə] is a punctuation mark used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence or to separate items in a list. It is often used incorrectly in a 'comma splice,' where it joins two independent clauses without a conjunction. The 'serial comma' is used before 'and' or 'or' in a list of three or more items, while the 'comma of apposition' separates a noun or pronoun from another noun or pronoun that renames or explains it.
