THE 7 TYPES OF COMMAS AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS (WITH EXAMPLES) - LITERATURE - 2025

The commas are punctuation marks that are responsible for separating and grouping elements within a sentence, phrases and clauses. According to the specific use that is given to the comma, there will be different types of it.

In this order of ideas, commas can be serial, coordinating and subordinating. They are serial when used to separate lists of items. For example: The cat , the dog and the mouse are mammals.

For its part, we will speak of a coordinating comma when this punctuation mark is between two independent clauses and both have the same importance. For example: I don't want to sleep , you can't make me.

Commas are subordinate when they establish relationships between two clauses and one of these is dependent on the other. For example: He told me he would not come , that he was busy.

Classification of the types of commas

1- Serial commas

Serial commas are those that are used to separate three or more elements that make up a list. In general, the first two elements are separated by commas, while the conjunctions "and" or "or" are added in the third.

For example:

Eat Oxford

The Oxford comma is an exception to the serial comma. This is used when there is a risk of ambiguity in the sentence. Let's take the following example:

The absence of a comma between "Donna and Martha" could lead to think that these two are a group. Adding a comma eliminates this possibility:

Similarly, the Oxford comma is used when the elements that make up the series have a conjunction. For example:

2- Coordinating commas

Coordinating commas are used to join two sentences that have the same hierarchy. This means that both sentences are independent.

This comma can be replaced by the conjunction "and" (in case the relationship between them is strong) or by a period and followed (if the relationship is not strong).

For example:

Another way to write this sentence would be:

3- Subordinate commas

Subordinate commas create a subordinate relationship between two clauses. There are different ways in which commas are presented within a subordinate clause.

These include: when the order of the elements of a sentence is altered, when the subordinate clause is made up of a non-personal form of the verb and when elements are omitted.

Alteration of the elements of a sentence

Subordinate clauses are made up of two clauses: a ruling and a subordinate clause. When the ruler is written first and then the subordinate, it is not necessary to add a comma. For example:

However, it is necessary to add a comma if this order is reversed:

Non-personal form of the verb

Subordinate clauses can be made up of a present participle or a past participle. These two are non-personal forms of the verb.

When they are presented, they need to be separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma. For example:

Having said this, he left the place.

Once the cake was done, he proceeded to decorate it.

Omission of elements in subordinates

When elements of the ruling sentence are omitted, a comma must be added. For example:

In this case, the regent "thought" is being omitted. Another way to write this phrase would be:

4- To separate conjunctions

Another type of commas is the one used to separate conjunctions and connectors from the rest of a sentence.

For example:

5- Free apositions

Free appositions are parts of a sentence that provide additional information. It differs from linked appositions because the former are separated by commas, while the latter are not.

For example:

Sometimes the presence or absence of commas can change the meaning of the sentence. Let's consider the following examples:

In the first sentence, it is implied that the person speaking has more than one sister, while in the second sentence it is stated that Agnes is the only sister he has.

6- To separate introductory words

Another type of commas is used to separate introductory words from the rest of a sentence. These introductory words include adverbs and adverbial phrases. For example:

7- To make omissions

When elements of a sentence are omitted, commas must be added to represent the omission that has taken place.

For example:

References

1. Comma. Retrieved on August 22, 2017, from en.oxforddictionaries.com
2. Comma. Retrieved on August 22, 2017, from wikipedia.org
3. Major Comma Uses. Retrieved on August 22, 2017, from towson.edu
4. Summary of Commas. Retrieved on August 22, 2017, from sussex.ac.uk
5. What is the Oxford Comma? Retrieved on August 22, 2017, from grammarly.com
6. What is the Oxford (or Serial) Comma? Retrieved on August 22, 2017, from thoughtco.com
7. The 5 Uses of a Comma in English Writing. Retrieved on August 22, 2017, from whitesmoke.com.