Punctuation generally has a fixed set of rules. This inflexibility means that you have to follow the rules exactly which makes mistakes easier to make. Looking at this inflexibility from a positive perspective, it means that the rules are clear and easier to learn.
In part 1 of this four-part course, I will highlight the most common mistakes made with commas. For a brief overview of what a comma is and how they are used take a look at Commas.
Now let’s move onto the mistakes. The four most common are: Use commas when adding extra information, Commas with adjectives, Commas in lists, and When to use a comma before and or but.
The use of hyphens and brackets where commas should be used is looked at on the pages When to use commas and when to use brackets and Never use hyphens as commas.
Missing commas are looked at on the pages Commas in direct address, Missing comma after an introductory element, Commas and semi-colons with however, and What is a comma splice?
Finally, commas where they shouldn’t be is looked at on the pages Don’t use commas to separate independent and dependent clauses, Don’t separate essential information with a comma, Don’t use a comma to separate a subject from its verb, Don’t use a comma to separate a verb from its direct object, and Don’t use a comma to separate paired nouns.
Part 2 of this mini course looks at hyphens.
Part 3 of this mini course looks at apostrophes.
Part 4 of this mini course looks at all the other remaining punctuation marks and finishes with an English Punctuation Quiz.
