How to prevent evil random Commas (with a guest appearance by the Semi Colon)

What’s the difference between “eats shoots and leaves” or “eats, shoots

and leaves”?

Rule #1

• Use a comma to separate items in a list of three or more things.

He is taking English, Physics, and Japanese.

NOTE: the final comma is the mysterious “Oxford Comma” – (see Vampire Weekend), but is recommended in Canadian style guides.

Rule #2

• Use commas to separate words or phrases NOT ESSENTIAL to the main idea of the sentence.

My teacher, Debbie, is a Buffy fan.Notice the difference fromWriting a letter in Japanese is a challenge.

Rule #2 1/2

• Rule 2 relates to the mysterious question of that and which – use “which” with commas and “that” without. “That” makes a distinction between two things, “which” describes one.

• My dog, which has a loud bark, scares off intruders.

• The dog that has the loudest bark wins.

More examples of Rule #2 and 2 ½(with a guest appearance by rule #4)

All students who plagiarize will be shot at dawn.All students, who plagiarize, will be shot at

dawn.

On Tatouine, the sun that rises in the morning wakes me up.

On Earth, the sun, which shines in the window in the morning, wakes me up.

Rule #3 (the FANBOYS rule)

• Use a comma between independent clauses (sentences) joined with but, and, yet, or, so

(also for, when it means because, and nor)I like teaching, but I’d rather be watching Buffy.

Note the difference:I like teaching and watching Buffy.

Rule #4

• Put a comma after a word or phrase that comes at the beginning of a sentence

No matter how hard I try, I can’t break my gin habit.

Although it is delicious, gin isn’t really good for you.

Rule #5

• Do NOT separate a subject and its verb with a single comma.

The fact that I like pizza and gin, is irrelevant to my skill as a cook.

No comma!

When in doubt, leave it out!

1. Despite some excellent action sequences the movie was a failure.

2. Pierre and I are good friends but we often disagree.

3. The sun shining in my window woke me up.4. Inside the band was playing at full blast.5. Letitia despite her reputation as an air head is

really very bright.6. Goldfish and gerbils make the best pets.7. John prefers dogs cats and tarantulas.

And now… The Semi Colon

You can ONLY use a semi colon when you could also use a period.

That’s right; that’s the only time you can use it.

Oh, just one exception: use a semi colon to separate items in a list already separated by commas.

I have lived in Toronto, Ontario; Guildford, Surrey, England; Tianjin, China; and Nanaimo, BC as well as Victoria.