A comma is a punctuation mark that is used to separate words, clauses, or ideas within a sentence. While a period is used to end a sentence, a comma is used to indicate a smaller break or pause in a sentence.
A comma should not separate a subject from a verb. It is a common mistake for people to add a comma to separate a subject from its verb because when speaking a brief pause could fit well. Let’s look at an example of a correct form and an incorrect form for this exception:
Incorrect My friend Angie, is a talented actress.
Correct My friend Angie is a talented actress.
Another thing to be extra careful with is long or complex subject. Sometimes we have more than two or three ideas we wish to include in one sentence to further describe a subject. But a comma is not needed AFTER noting your last idea. For example:
Incorrect Driving through the rain, slippery roads, wind, and darkness, is a terrible
time to drive your automobile.
Correct Driving through the rain, slippery roads, wind, and darkness is a terrible
time to drive your automobile.
Also, a comma is not needed to separate two nouns that appear together as a compound subject or compound object.
Incorrect Eunnis, and her friends will be volunteering at their school event this
weekend.
Correct Eunnis and her friends will be volunteering at their school event this
weekend.
Overall, commas can become tricky and doubtful when writing. Best way to practice is to read and really pay attention to where commas are placed to get used to writing with proper comma placements.
