I am starting this post not because I am using commas exactly as it should be. Not at all! The reason is I am learning how to use them properly. In my case learning starts with considering. Being aware of my poor memory I try to grasp the logic of a thing or a process and so I can memorize what is vital.
Some people don't use punctuation. When they are beginners, this is quite understandable.
Though I notice people who use complex grammar yet still almost omit using commas and even periods and capital letters. Once I read the article which related about really amazing things for me. Turns out that Deutsch people start every noun with a capital letter, Georgian don't have capitals at all, and commas and periods didn't exist in the Old Greek (not sure how about now). Correct me if I am wrong, for I wrote this from my memory (unfortunately, it's not my strong side).
Well, contemplating on these differences I concluded that dropping commas and other things might be explained by the background of each particular person.
So, dear friends, I have a couple of questions to you.
• Is punctuation important for you? What helps you to use it properly?
• Did you find any useful resourses on the topic, especially how to use commas? Share it, please!
• Does your native language have all those things like commas, periods and capitals?
• Does your background affect on your writing, especially punctuation? (I know, this question is a bit provocative one :) ).
In the end, I would like to share the information on the topic which I found while wandering in the immense internet space.
1) Commas on MyEC, besides the explanation of commas, here you can find links to learnabout other issues on writing and punctuation in particular.
2) Punctuation from Purdue Online Writing Lab, here it is the explanation about clauses and other annoying yet necessary things.
3) Punctuation discussion on Italki.com, someone says about SMS language. This is unfortunately true.
4) Cases in English, here they say about the Vocative case which requires separation by commas.
5) BBC commas quizz, check yourself!
By the way, if any mistakes in my writing, please don't hesitate to correct me. I am the same learner!
P.S. The picture above was borrowed from here on MyEC.
Comments
@idealist,
Thank you very much for your detailed comment.
I have two native languages, Russian and Ukrainian. In both my native languages we use angle quotes almost the same way as ordinary quotes, just not in writing but in publications. Did you mean the same?
This is the first time I have heard about caesura sign. Can you tell me a few words what it is and how it is used?
my tongue language is chinese. In chinese, the punctuaion is more complex than in english.
In fact, sometimes i was confused the expressions in english of punctuations i usually use in chinese, such as caesura sign, separation dot, angle quotes.
I think punctuation is as important as the language itself and it has its own fascination!
@Valentine,
Thank you for your estimation of my blog and the topic in particular. I always have believed that people who are literate in foreign languages are even more literate in their own. It stems from love of language itself. I see it's true for you also. :)
@Expector Smith,
We need rules to avoid misunderstandings even despite their quantity.
Elegantly and beautifully... Yeah, I dream of it!
Once I had a dream that I had met a polyglot, a multilingual man. We started to speak English and talked for a while. Suddenly he started to mix words from different languages and looked at me wondering eyes. Although he forgot English and was confused, I went on speaking this language and trying to help him. Then I woke up... That was only a dream... :)
I loved your example about road signes. Aptly said. It reminded me of one marvelous article, Humble comma. It was written in mixed romantic and philosophical style. Nice thing.
@Tara,
I love the way you explain your thoughts, accurately and yet simply. I estimated this page - Tidy up your Written English. It gives simple and well structured advice how to make your writing more intelligible and more convinient for reading.
Hopefully, one day I will feel how to use commas in English like I feel it in my native language.
To me, punctuation is like driving down the road.
Imagine the roads without road signs (stop sign, yield, dead end, etc.)...it'll be disastrous!
The same thing with a world without punctuation.
Anything bad can happen without comma, period, question mark, etc.
It's lethal!
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