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English Writing Software And The Tricky Trap Of Using Commas
Commas are the sound of silence. When you add a comma right after a word or phrase, it indicates a short pause, setting it apart from the long pauses that you normally get at the end of each sentence. Apart from providing the necessary pace to your delivery, though, it can also be used to change the entire meaning of a sentence, the same way that intonation and timing can do when you are speaking.
The use of commas can prove a tricky trap when writing in English. Used too much, sentences can feel disjointed and rambling. Used too sparingly, they can feel like an exhausting discourse.
When are the right times to use a comma?
- separating items in a sentence (e.g. You can buy a Nokia, Samsung, Motorola or LG phone.)
- separating descriptions (e.g. It features long battery life, quiet operation and an extended warranty.)
- when a statement is intended for a person (e.g. Do you agree with that, Jim?)
- when writing dates and addresses
- when using introductory words and phrases (e.g. Apart from the hardware, the new phone packs an assortment of software bundles.)
A common mistake is using a comma instead of a period, even when a sentence-ending punctuation is appropriate. As a rule, if you can end a statement with a period then don’t hesitate to do so. If you want to be sure you’re not using too much or too little commas in your writing, always run your written piece through a software for grammar and vocabulary such as WhiteSmoke. With a thorough and exhaustive system that will run through your writing, you can sit back and be confident that your paragraphs don’t bear any commas that are out of their right place.
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