The Most Common Comma Mistakes in Writing & Their Fixes

Proper punctuation won’t help you increase your business or socialize, but misusing punctuation will cause your book, journal, or catalog copy to get noticed like a sore thumb. Even if people can’t determine your mistake, something will look off about your message, making people less likely to believe what you’re trying to say. It’s always best to check your writing for typical punctuation errors like misuse of commas so you don’t unintentionally alienate those reading your writing.

In short, the capability to write successfully is invaluable, especially in this high-tech age of physical distance and intellectual closeness. You need to use words, components, and punctuation properly for successful writing. On discovering an egregiously misplaced comma in the first sentence of a short article, some will believe the writer isn’t worth reading.

Commas are some of the most often abused punctuation represents and with valid reason. The roles that guide when and when not to place a comma can be a bit cloudy in language and exceptions. So often, though, it comes down to one question: Is it essential?

The most common comma mistakes

One of the Funny Comma Mistakes

Lastly, commas are getting a great compliment. Teachers stress their role in helping readers discern the correct meaning of sentences.

A whole type of T-shirt is based on how essential this little punctuation represents.

  1. Let’s eat Granny.
  2. Let’s eat, Granny.

Do you look at how the comma changes the significance of the two phrases?

The first phrase seems to suggest that your grandmother is the main course. With the useful comma, the second encourages Granny to eat with you.

The T-shirt headline conveys the message: “Commas save lives.” Unfortunately, commas are misused as often as they’re recognized.

Always Check sentences for comma mistakes, errors, or failures. Do you know? Read below for 5 comma errors and learn how to use commas in writing.

The Most Common Comma Mistakes

Commas have many uses, probably more than any other punctuation mark. This is certainly one good reason why they are so often misused. Knowing the guidelines behind comma utilization can help authors overcome the doubt that often affects them when trying to figure out when a comma should be used.

1. Using a Comma at the Top Side of “That.”

A comma preceding a clause such as “that” is usually wrong. However, if you are like many authors, you may be inclined to consist of one. Do not. Avoid creating this typical mistake because “that” is usually used to present an essential or limited stipulation, creating the stipulation necessary for the phrase to maintain its significance.

For example:

INCORRECT: The colors, that were used to beautify the reception desk, were well-matched.

CORRECT: The dress that she wore to the wedding was wonderful.

2. Separating Associated Pairs

When the information in the second aspect of the phrase sets with the information in the first aspect through correlation, a comma is not used.

For example:

INCORRECT: The article is not only a great work of the written word, but is grammatically sound.

CORRECT: The article is not only a great work of the written word but is grammatically sound.

3. Separating a Verb from Its Subject

Never separate a topic from its verb; this creates a sketchy phrase with a pointless stop and is grammatically wrong. Below, “is” is the action-word, and its topic is “one of the best factors.”

For example:

INCORRECT: One of the best factors a writer can do, is to discover how to use commas properly.

CORRECT: One of the best factors a writer can do is discover how to use commas properly.

4. Separating Verbs

Sometimes, verbs are used in several places in a phrase. At this point, you should not personalize them with a comma. Both “jogged” and “walked” are verbs that implement the topic of “she” in the following words.

For example:

INCORRECT: She ran for 30 minutes, and stepped for 20 minutes.

CORRECT: She ran for 30 minutes and stepped for 20 minutes.

5. Offsetting a Reliant Clause

When one of the conditions in a phrase is dependent on the other and seems to be at the end of the phrase, the dependent clause is not offset by a comma.

For example:

INCORRECT: Sylvia went to the shop, because she required an egg.

CORRECT: Sylvia went to the shop because she required an egg.

How to Fix Common Comma Mistakes?

While all the comma guidelines in this article may seem complicated, it is essential to avoid splitting them while doing content writing, essay writing, etc., whether you use excessive or underused commas. The best ways to use commas expertly are by learning the individual rules as you go and, reading what you write aloud, inserting pauses in the words you talk to restore the commas. If you cannot think about using the stop at a place within a phrase to provide quality, bypass the comma. Add the comma if the phrase is complicated or a stop seems natural. As you gain knowledge, exercise implementing rules, and check your work thoroughly, the perfecting of comma utilization comes normally.

The Contemporary Use of a Comma

When the comma moved from the oral to the written custom, it was not a reference to the duration of reading breaths any longer but rather a way to make the writing simpler for faster and simpler understanding. With today’s use of the comma came several guidelines on how a comma can join or separate structural elements of a written text, and thus its use (and misuse) improved.

Proper use of commas seems easy enough, but you might be amazed to discover that you are making some of the most common comma mistakes. The guidelines for using commas may be a little more complicated than you think.

How essential is great comma placement? Like appropriate punctuation and sentence structure, appropriate punctuation improves your writing, makes it simpler to study and understand, and helps you project an experienced picture.

The most typical comma mistake is excessive use. Keep practicing, and do not ignore the little factors. Keep in mind that they are the ones that issue here—the main point here is practicing to achieve perfection.

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