What are your opinions on comma usage?

[Kaz]

I've done a little bit of writing in my time, and have always had a few rounds over comma splicing and using it to indicate a pause whether in thought or dialog. I understand that a lot of people think comma splicing is improper grammar, but I'd like to know what you all think.

>Discuss

[Ad Bot]

[WaterOre]

i usually replace comma splices with semicolons

[Electrk.]

comma splicing is my enemy; use a semicolon or dash you forgets

or a new line

[Kaz]

comma splicing is my enemy; use a semicolon or dash you forgets

or a new line

Oh it's not that bad, people have been using it for ages.

[Electrk.]

Oh it's not that bad, people have been using it for ages.

you are dead to me

[Damp]

you are dead to me

so is you

[hodot]

i use oxford comma

i find old english writing to be very annoying

i also type in lines rather than paragraphs

[Foxscotch]

I use commas a lot lol
semicolons and dashes are pretentious

[Fennis]

in linguistics terms, the comma usage doesn't matter towards grammar. grammar is about word order and how words create greater meaning. but anyway, we english speakers tend to put commas down in writing in places where we pause during speech. there is no overarching pattern in english that governs where pauses in speech occur in relation to word order, so commas are largely irrelevant. source, i'm a linguistics major. I realize almost nobody believes people when they state what they study in college on this forum, but if you want proof I can pm some.

[Kaz]

you are dead to me

in linguistics terms, the comma usage doesn't matter towards grammar. grammar is about word order and how words create greater meaning. but anyway, we english speakers tend to put commas down in writing in places where we pause during speech. there is no overarching pattern in english that governs where pauses in speech occur in relation to word order, so commas are largely irrelevant. source, i'm a linguistics major. I realize almost nobody believes people when they state what they study in college on this forum, but if you want proof I can pm some.

This is very cool. I'm surprised there aren't more stringent rules on it.

[Jaxx]

eh, depends.

[Eden]

We invited the strippers, JFK, and Stalin.
We invited the strippers, JFK and Stalin.

[Ocelotus]

I, dont, really, care, about, things, like, this. I, just, let, people, do, what, they, want.

[Tokthree]

I write as I speak, in fact I actively say what I'm going to write as I'm writing it resulting in what I consider to be a natural flow and correct usage of commas as pauses in speech or to connect two relevant statements into one sentence. According to every single English teacher I've ever had, however, I use far too many commas where I should be using periods and starting new sentences instead.

I'm 21 years old now and I still don't listen to them

[Kaz]

We invited the strippers, JFK, and Stalin.
We invited the strippers, JFK and Stalin.

Oxford comma is a given. I'm speaking more about pauses in sentences.

I write as I speak, in fact I actively say what I'm going to write as I'm writing it resulting in what I consider to be a natural flow and correct usage of commas as pauses in speech or to connect two relevant statements into one sentence. According to every single English teacher I've ever had, however, I use far too many commas where I should be using periods and starting new sentences instead.

I'm 21 years old now and I still don't listen to them

Living with others quickly knocked me out the habit of speaking what I typed. Too many questions. I, personally, don't think you can use too many commas.