What’s the Deal with Commas? Part 3

Do I Really Need a Comma Here?     Syntactic vs semantic commas

Semantic commas are used only when needed to convey meaning. Syntactic (grammatical commas) follow rules. There are at least seventeen rules that dictate when commas should be used. We’ll explore a couple of them that create controversy.

#1.       Use a comma after an introductory word or phrase.

Unfortunately, the stain didn’t come out of his shirt.  (syntactic comma)

While he walked, the sun was shining. (syntactic comma)

Each sentence’s meaning is clear without the comma, so some will argue they aren’t needed.

#2.        Use commas to separate items in a series.    

He invited the jugglers, William, and Mary.

The comma at issue is the one after William. Punctuated as it is, it means he invited the jugglers and William and Mary. Without the comma after William, the meaning changes. The sentence would suggest that William and Mary were the jugglers who were invited. The comma has a semantic function and needs to be there.

 He likes to read horror, fantasy, and romance novels.

In this sentence, the comma at issue follows fantasy. Is it really necessary? If you’ve heard about the great debate concerning the Oxford or series comma, this is what is being talked about.

Some writers and editors prefer to include it for its syntactic function. Others claim it is not necessary because the sentence’s meaning is clear without it.

 I’ll leave it to you to choose a side.