And What’s with the Comma?

Doing a lot of editing these days and coming across “and” followed or preceded by a comma . . . also a lot.  <LOL>  As such, it prompted me to revisit using this lovely little punctuation mark with “and”.

Given this post is grammar oriented (yes, I sense those eyes glazing over already), let’s take a quick gander at “and”.  A conjunction is a word often used to connect words, phrases, and clauses/sentences or to coordinate words in the same clause.  But it can also be used to add (three and five equals seven, er, eight) or demonstrate a result (Read the manual thoroughly, and you’ll be able to build that generator, no prob).  “And” can also serve as a noun (I told you to do that—no ifs, ands, or buts).

Let’s see.  Ah yes.  A coordinating conjunction can also refer to: in addition to (men and women); as a consequence (Gerald raced after the malevolent monster and tumbled off the cliff), and; subsequently or then (Joan texted Rodney her plans and drove over to his place).  You can check the internet for more in-depth details if you’re so inclined.  <wink, wink>

Be watchful of how you use commas after “and”.  Use it as a linking device:

♦  Larry had a mug of coffee and tuna sandwich.      ♦  She wrote a book about an angel and a saint.

But if you’re linking more than two phrases, put “and” in front of the last one.

♦  Larry had coffee, a tuna sandwich, and a chocolate-almond tart for lunch.      ♦  She wrote a book about an angel, demon, and deity.

When linking adjectives, the comma is optional.  Many people like to put a comma before “and” in a list.

♦  They felt weary, sweaty, and dirty.  /  They felt weary, sweaty and dirty.      ♦  Henry the hamster is cute, well behaved, and energetic.  /  Henry the hamster is cute, well behaved and energetic.

Be wary of using a comma before “and” when there are only two actions/details.

♦  Correct:  Martha and Jake like to jog and stretch.      ♦  Incorrect:  Marth and Jake like to jog, and stretch.

Here are two independent clauses; as such, add the comma before “and”.  An independent clause, by the by, is a sentence that could stand on its own.  But you already knew that.

♦  In May they’ll visit Japan, and in June they’ll travel to Australia.

Don’t use a comma before “and” when an independent clause is connected to a dependent clause (a phrase that can’t stand on its own).

♦  Taylor pulled the roast out of the oven, and watched Lee slice it.

The first clause, an independent one, can stand alone (as a sentence), but the second clause can’t.  It’s “dependent” on the first.

♦  Correct:  Taylor pulled the roast out of the oven and watched Lee slice it.

Eyes drooping?  A yawn pulling at those down-turned lips?  Okay, okay.  I’ll stop.  Just give thought to that comma.  It’s a wonderful, practical punctuation mark . . . useful for keeping information clear and enabling ease of reading.  However, used in overabundance (like anything), it can prove quite annoying [if not unprofessional].

Decide what your approach/style re the comma is and be consistent.

Here’s to the comma, and not making sentence structure errors.  <LOL>

Author: tylerus

I'm primarily a writer of fiction and blog posts, and a sometimes editor and proofreader of books, manuals, and film/television scripts. Fact-checking and researching, organizing and coordinating are skills and joys (I enjoy playing detective and developing structure). My fiction audience: lovers of female-sleuth mysteries. My genres of preference: mysteries (needless to say), women’s fiction, informative and helpful “affirmative” non-fiction. So-o, here I am, staring up a new blog for aspiring and established e-Book writers. The plan: to share the (long) journey of getting to this stage, and share "learnings" and "teachings". There's a lot I hope to accomplish with this blog, but it may be a while before that happens as there's a lot on the ol' plate - taking care of Mom, working full-time, and attempting to get another book in the Triple Threat Investigation Agency series written (never mind blog postings and other writing projects). It's very challenging and it's all good. As I like to say: teeny focused baby steps are just as effective as long forceful strides. It may take a little longer, but we will get there. View all posts by tylerus