Introduction
The Comma is one of the most-often-violated grammatical elements in the English language!
Most comma-abusers fail to use them when they are clearly needed. On the other end of the spectrum, we find the abuser who simply uses far too many commas; usually when they are clearly NOT needed!
However, by following a few simple rules, you can learn to correctly use the comma in all your written work.
You can easily avoid the misuse of commas by using them only if dictated by one of the rules below. Note that only the 5 most important rules are included in this list; other rules are either not very common or not relevant in most circumstances. However, for a more complete list of comma rules, see: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/how-to-u...
Ok, let’s get to it!
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TeamIceCream
Premium
Hi Joshua
Thank you very much for this information. As a 2nd language English speaker, it is very helpful to know the rules.
Now let's see if I can apply them correctly! LOL
Sharlee (Chocolate IceCream)
Thank you very much for this information. As a 2nd language English speaker, it is very helpful to know the rules.
Now let's see if I can apply them correctly! LOL
Sharlee (Chocolate IceCream)
Reply
Joshua2765
Premium
Sharlee, you probably do much better than you give yourself credit for.
I worked for many years as an academic writing tutor at a local college. I worked with hundreds of students each year, both native-speakers and English as a second language (ESL) students. Surprisingly, most of the ESL students had a fair grasp of grammar rules. The problem for most of them was in spelling and pronunciation.
However, the so-called "native" speakers were a mixed bag. Some displayed superior grammar skills, some were average, but far too many were extremely poor. In fact, I would rate nearly ALL of the ESL students ABOVE the native "poor" students.
I've read some of your work, and I can see no glaring problems. I think you do quite well, so don't worry about it.
By the way, my favorite ice cream flavor is "Rocky Road." In fact, I think I'll go have some right after I finish this.
Continued success,
Joshua
I worked for many years as an academic writing tutor at a local college. I worked with hundreds of students each year, both native-speakers and English as a second language (ESL) students. Surprisingly, most of the ESL students had a fair grasp of grammar rules. The problem for most of them was in spelling and pronunciation.
However, the so-called "native" speakers were a mixed bag. Some displayed superior grammar skills, some were average, but far too many were extremely poor. In fact, I would rate nearly ALL of the ESL students ABOVE the native "poor" students.
I've read some of your work, and I can see no glaring problems. I think you do quite well, so don't worry about it.
By the way, my favorite ice cream flavor is "Rocky Road." In fact, I think I'll go have some right after I finish this.
Continued success,
Joshua
TeamIceCream
Premium
Hi Joshua
[blush] Thank you Sir, your kind words are very much appreciated!
Hmmm.... we don't get that flavor in our corner of paradise. I'm glad that I could inspire you to delight your taste buds! ;-) LOL! This WA-family sure loves their ice cream, that is for sure.
Wishing you much success Joshua!
Sharlee (Chocolate IceCream)
[blush] Thank you Sir, your kind words are very much appreciated!
Hmmm.... we don't get that flavor in our corner of paradise. I'm glad that I could inspire you to delight your taste buds! ;-) LOL! This WA-family sure loves their ice cream, that is for sure.
Wishing you much success Joshua!
Sharlee (Chocolate IceCream)
Joshua2765
Premium
The best way I can describe it is to imagine a chocolate or fudge ice cream laced with miniature marshmallows throughout.
Yum yum!
Joshua
Yum yum!
Joshua
TeamIceCream
Premium
Oh now you have my mouth watering! You will have to enjoy an extra scoop on my behalf as well Joshua! ;-) LOL!
Sharlee (Chocolate IceCream)
Sharlee (Chocolate IceCream)
Joshua2765
Premium
Lol! Sharlee, two things:
1. I forgot that Rocky Road also has almond bits in it (that's the "ROCKY" part)
2. That particular flavor has been available in the US market since...wait for it...1929 WOW, I did not know that!
"Rocky Road ice cream was invented in 1929 by the Dreyer's Ice Cream Company. Almost all ice cream made at the time was either vanilla, chocolate or strawberry. The ice cream company picked a flavor name to give folks something to smile about in the face of the Great Depression."
1. I forgot that Rocky Road also has almond bits in it (that's the "ROCKY" part)
2. That particular flavor has been available in the US market since...wait for it...1929 WOW, I did not know that!
"Rocky Road ice cream was invented in 1929 by the Dreyer's Ice Cream Company. Almost all ice cream made at the time was either vanilla, chocolate or strawberry. The ice cream company picked a flavor name to give folks something to smile about in the face of the Great Depression."
TeamIceCream
Premium
WOW Joshua! That is AMAZING - from 1929 - my goodness! That is 89 years! LOL!
Well, I guess the Dreyers can teach us a thing or two about creating a winner and then sticking with it.
(I wish I can teach that same lesson to some of our companies here in New Zealand, so that they will stop removing our favorite flavors.)
Thank you for the interesting information Joshua - that is appreciated. Now we will have to both make it to Vegas, so that we can enjoy some Rocky Road ice cream together. :-)
Looking forward to that - "Onward and Upward"
Sharlee (Chocolate IceCream)
PS: Ah... the almonds (they have a way of being forgotten, don't they?) See, I always say ice cream is a concentrated health food! Look - yours even have almonds in it! ;-) LOL!
Well, I guess the Dreyers can teach us a thing or two about creating a winner and then sticking with it.
(I wish I can teach that same lesson to some of our companies here in New Zealand, so that they will stop removing our favorite flavors.)
Thank you for the interesting information Joshua - that is appreciated. Now we will have to both make it to Vegas, so that we can enjoy some Rocky Road ice cream together. :-)
Looking forward to that - "Onward and Upward"
Sharlee (Chocolate IceCream)
PS: Ah... the almonds (they have a way of being forgotten, don't they?) See, I always say ice cream is a concentrated health food! Look - yours even have almonds in it! ;-) LOL!
Joshua2765
Premium
Lol! Vegas would be nice, but I have a long way to go to be there. Hmmmmm. Rocky Road in Vegas...has a nice ring to it!
TeamIceCream
Premium
Yes, I also like the ring to it. We also have a long way - referral wise and distance wise. LOL! Put it on your Vision Board Joshua! ;-) It doesn't have to be for next year, but we can always set the intention and goal of being there together. :-)
Whoo-hoo - see you for some Rocky Road in Vegas! ;-)
Sharlee (Chocolate) + Vanilla IceCream
Whoo-hoo - see you for some Rocky Road in Vegas! ;-)
Sharlee (Chocolate) + Vanilla IceCream
Joshua2765
Premium
Absolutely!
I lived in Vegas for two years back in the 70s and LOVED it! I was in the US Air Force at the time and haven't been back since I moved from there. A return would be nice, but I'm afraid I probably won't even recognize the place anymore; it's changed so much.
Joshua
I lived in Vegas for two years back in the 70s and LOVED it! I was in the US Air Force at the time and haven't been back since I moved from there. A return would be nice, but I'm afraid I probably won't even recognize the place anymore; it's changed so much.
Joshua
Joshua2765
Premium
StefanieT
Premium
Hi Joshua, this is such easy to understand training.
I've always considered myself good at grammar...until I started writing for my website that is. I then had to start to really think about what I was doing, and got so much wrong in the ways of comma's especially.
I was having a nightmare with it and have proof read most of my posts about 50 times now, and I still find mistakes!!! I'm a perfectionist :-)
But, I have learnt so much 11 months down the line, and believe I've almost cracked the code ha ha. But I have made a few notes of some of your pointers here and stuck them on my desk.
You know what would be really great (if you get time to of course), if you could do some training on semi colon, and colon, as I still have a bit of a problem with these, and so tend not to use them when I probably should.
Thank you
I've always considered myself good at grammar...until I started writing for my website that is. I then had to start to really think about what I was doing, and got so much wrong in the ways of comma's especially.
I was having a nightmare with it and have proof read most of my posts about 50 times now, and I still find mistakes!!! I'm a perfectionist :-)
But, I have learnt so much 11 months down the line, and believe I've almost cracked the code ha ha. But I have made a few notes of some of your pointers here and stuck them on my desk.
You know what would be really great (if you get time to of course), if you could do some training on semi colon, and colon, as I still have a bit of a problem with these, and so tend not to use them when I probably should.
Thank you
Joshua2765
Premium
I do plan to do those, Stefanie. Stay tuned.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Joshua
Thanks for the suggestion.
Joshua
Joshua2765
Premium
Thanks for stopping by, Edwin.
Actually, your method is highly effective in some situations. However, the trick is knowing WHERE to use those commas. That's where those rules come in.
I was US Air Force, by the way. LOVED IT!
Continued success,
Joshua
Actually, your method is highly effective in some situations. However, the trick is knowing WHERE to use those commas. That's where those rules come in.
I was US Air Force, by the way. LOVED IT!
Continued success,
Joshua
RAFStuart
Premium
Joshua2765
Premium
Heard great things about Offutt, but I never had the opportunity to go there.
Joshua
Joshua
Joshua2765
Premium
NScholz
Premium
There you go! I KNEW it! Good for you. Thank you for the input!
Did I use too many 'commas'? Check it out! :-) Yeah! Okey-Dokey!
Did I use too many 'commas'? Check it out! :-) Yeah! Okey-Dokey!
