avatarSusie Kearley

Summary

The website content details the author's struggle with and love for commas, chronicling their journey from excessive use to a more moderate approach under the guidance of an editor.

Abstract

The author of the web content, self-described as a "commaholic," expresses a deep affection for commas and their use in writing. Initially resistant to an editor's removal of many commas from their manuscript, they learned to use them more sparingly, though still admit to occasional overuse. The author reflects on the flexibility of comma usage, citing a preference for optional commas and the importance of sentence clarity. After researching punctuation rules and consulting with professionals, the author concludes that while they may still use more commas than strictly necessary, the key is to ensure readability and sense in their writing.

Opinions

  • The author initially felt that the editor's removal of commas from their manuscript was an unwelcome interference that made some sentences less clear.
  • They have a strong belief that commas are essential for creating necessary pauses in sentences, and without them, the writing may suffer.
  • The author acknowledges that they have reduced their comma usage but still advocate for their use when they feel a pause is needed, even if not strictly correct.
  • There is a sense of pride and satisfaction in being right about comma usage, especially when confirmed by a professional editor after being challenged on social media.
  • The author values readability and sense in their writing above strict adherence to punctuation rules, as long as the text is easy to understand and enjoyable to read.
  • Despite using tools like Grammarly, the author trusts their own judgment on comma placement and is willing to question both the tool's suggestions and their own usage.

GRAMMAR

Confessions, of, a, Commaholic,

I just love commas! I’m compelled to put them everywhere!

© Susie Kearley

I’ve got a bit of a thing about commas. I’ve reined it in in recent years, since a book editor took my commas out en masse and opened my eyes to the problem.

I didn’t like her interference though. To be honest, getting my beautifully crafted manuscript back with my commas ripped out, was a bit like ripping out my heart. It hurt.

I felt that without commas, some of my sentences didn’t make sense. They might have looked better to her, but with no pauses, some sentences weren’t working for me at all. So I rephrased some sections, because I refused to play along with this attitude. I refused to abandon punctuation!

Another perspective

It was annoying. Fixing what I regarded as her mistakes was time-consuming. But in another sense, it made me think, and I learnt something. In some cases I agreed with her. In some cases, I did use too many commas. But she’d taken my manuscript to the other extreme, and I didn’t like it.

© Susie Kearley

As a result of the experience, I cut down on my commas. I’m now a more moderate commaholic, but superfluous commas do sneak in sometimes.

I’ve recently been trying to ascertain whether the fact that it’s *not necessary* in some cases, actually means it’s wrong. Because if it’s optional, I’m going for the optional comma all the way!

And if I demand a pause in my sentence, I might pop one in anyway — regardless of whether it’s correct or not.

I know I’m a commaholic, but I like to be right too. So when a nit-picking person on Twitter challenged me about a comma before an ‘and’ (shock horror!), I spent the next evening reading the ‘Commas’ chapter of Collins’ guide to punctuation. Because if I’m doing it wrong, I need to improve.

The author of Collins’ guide to punctuation reckons there’s a lot of flexibility around commas. You’re allowed to have a preference, as long as you don’t over-do it. Thank goodness for that!

Then this morning, a professional editor on Twitter told me that the complainant was wrong. I was right.

Haha! Don’t you just love being right?

So, I continue to probably use too many commas from time to time, but I am trying to cut down and I frequently question whether they need to be there.

There are times when Grammarly tells me I’ve got commas where they’re not needed, and I’ve not included them where they are required! Sometimes I know Grammarly is wrong, but other times, I suspect it’s right. Decisions, decisions!

I just reckon that as long as my sentences make sense and my writing’s easy to read, does anyone really care?

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