Crazy Commas—Part 1: Let’s Have Some Fun
On July 15, 2020 by Tayo Enahoro-Bowyer
This article is suitable only for those proficient in English.
When should you use commas?
The comma is probably the hardest punctuation mark to master. It doesn't help that commas are amazingly important. One company, the Dairy Farmers of America, was forced to pay out five million of dollars because of a missing comma in a legal document!1
Comma rule examples.
Even though the misuse of commas can be extremely serious, on other occasions, the results of a missing (or extra) comma can be quite funny.
Can you spot the problems with these humourous examples?
~ Quiet birds have ears.
In other words: "Quiet birds have ears,"
Here, the speaker is saying that birds of a type which don't make noise have ears.
~Quiet, birds have ears.
In other words: "Quiet! Birds have ears."
Here, the speaker is commanding us to be quiet, because birds have ears. This implies that we are somewhere where we do not wish to disturb some birds.
~ No, smoking in this area.
In other words: "No (it' okay), smoke in this area."
~ No smoking in this area.
In other words: "Do NOT smoke in this area."
Wow. What a difference a single comma makes!
Confused? Don't be. Check out the FULL article, which you can read by pressing the button below.
I remember vividly that one of my teachers told me that writing a work without using the proper punctuations in the relevant places is like riding a car without taking turns and adhering to the traffic lights. I like the way you have explained the use of comma and where it is relevant. Even I have learnt something from here and I think I can become a writer already. Lol. Thanks.
"I think I can become a writer already"
Well, why not?
Study, practice, do. Step-by-step you get to your objective. 😁
The irrational use of commas often gives the sentence and language cinstruct an entirely different meaning. Though very little number of people know this except the native speakers of English. Being able to actually differentiate in the way the comma is use can really make the writing very unethical and less standard. Thank you so for sharing this post our here
I think you are right on many points!
Thanks for visiting my website.
Come back soon. 🙂