No wonder commas are so confusing. There are so many times they are necessary, and a student's paper will be marked down if she forgot to use one. But there are other times when students then might think commas are necessary, and they find that they are guilty of misusing the comma.
So when a student learns that there are actually times when a comma is optional but not necessary, is it any wonder he feels like pulling his hair out? Fortunately, with an optional comma, a student's paper will likely not be marked down, whether he uses the comma or not. However, it's good for students to know when commas are optional and why. Here are three instances where it is up to the writer if he wants to use the comma . . . or not.
The "Oxford Comma" is Not Necessary
When commas were first "invented," they were meant to signal a pause as well as separate phrases and clauses. In the eighteenth century, many English writers overused commas. However, as written language is no longer relegated to the upper classes and as experts in more recent times (particularly the last one hundred years) have settled on universal rules, comma usage has "toned down." That said, there are still times when not all experts agree about when a comma should be used.
One of these instances is a comma known as the "Oxford comma" (or "Harvard comma"). When several items are listed in a series, commas are used to separate each word in the list to avoid confusion. However, the comma before the conjunction (usually "and") is not deemed necessary. This optional comma was used by editors at Oxford (and not all publishers), because they felt the last comma prevented confusion, especially when the listed items in a series were not just one word but many, as in this example:
- She needs to take out the trash, vacuum, sweep, wash and dry laundry, and shower before the party.
In this instance, especially with a phrase like "wash and dry" in the middle of the series, editors at Oxford decided that they preferred the last comma, because it left no question as to what separate items were found in a series. However, many instructors, editors, and publishers still don't deem the last comma necessary. Therefore, it is optional.
A Comma is Not Always Necessary After a Short Introductory Phrase
There are numerous instances where commas are optional and really not necessary, but many instructors will encourage students to use them. Commas are often used to prevent confusion, and that's why they are usually used in introductory phrases.
However, when someone is using a short introductory phrase, and there's no chance of confusion, that comma is actually optional, as in this example:
- If I swim I will wear sunblock.
There is little chance of misreading this sentence. However, some instructors and editors prefer that a comma come after the introductory phrase, and they would place a comma between swim and I will. Many people like a comma there because longer introductory phrases require the punctuation.
A Comma is Not Always Required Between Two Short Independent Clauses
Just like the introductory phrase, the comma requirement is relaxed if the independent clause is short and, again, there is little chance of confusion:
- You wash the dishes and I'll dry.
Students may be asking themselves, "How long do the clauses have to be before they become mandatory?" There is no "rule," but the main idea here is keeping the sentence understandable. The bigger the clauses get, the more chance there is for confusion without the comma. That's why many people will continue to use a comma between the words dishes and and--it eliminates confusion, even when the comma isn't absolutely necessary.
Writers Must Decide if They Want to Use the Optional Comma
Fortunately, most comma usage rules are not as flexible and so are less confusing. Some students will choose to use the optional comma always, just so they aren't confused about when they should use a comma and when they shouldn't. However, it's important to know why some instructors prefer commas in certain instances and others don't. In these examples here, it's because the commas are optional, and it all comes down to personal preference. Writers need to decide if they want to use an optional comma or if they just want to leave it out.
Cynthia Jones-Shoeman - Cynthia (“Cindy”) Jones-Shoeman earned her MA in English from Colorado State University in 2007; her thesis was "Toni ...
