Comma help.

[mollycule]

I have this huge thing on how bad I am at punctuating with commas. Even when I try, I usually end up doing a, "Comma Splice". Does anyone have any pointers that I could follow to hopefully improve my comma use?  

[Lady Pica]

I usually just try saying the sentence out loud if I'm not sure. If I pause, I put a comma. smile  

[Amphion]

To avoid comma splices: Read each part of the sentence out loud. If each one could stand on its own as a complete sentence, you're dealing with a comma splice:

I went to the store, there were no eggs.

This can become:

I went to the store; there were no eggs.

or

I went to the store. There were no eggs.

or

I went to the store, but there were no eggs.

Hope that helps!  

[mollycule]

Thanks guys! That helped a lot. I just hope when I read outloud my parents don't think I'm crazy. Hahah. smile  

[Patron with a Mission]

I agree with the posters above, and also, if you truly do need help, I suggest peer tutoring and extra practice. 3nodding  

[Zombielight]

Well I can't think of any right now.But maybe some of these sentences will help?

"Hi", Jone said, "how are you doing, Casey?"

Like, use one after saying someone's name.  

[Enen]

mollycule

Thanks guys! That helped a lot. I just hope when I read outloud my parents don't think I'm crazy. Hahah. smile

Yes yes.
"I went to get some pancakes but the guy said, "You can't have any crack."
I was confused.... and so on.
I could see someone reading that at there computer and looking towards the door and seeing there parents raise there eyebrow at them, "I don't want to know.." and walk away.  

[Lady Pica]

It gets better- I got in the habit of reading papers out loud, sentence by sentence. The only thing is, one of my professors got me in the habit of starting at the last sentence and working my way backward. It really helps with essays, but it really sounds crazy if someone overhears!  

[s0prano42_x3]

mollycule

I have this huge thing on how bad I am at punctuating with commas. Even when I try, I usually end up doing a, "Comma Splice". Does anyone have any pointers that I could follow to hopefully improve my comma use?

First, I would like to mention that you don't need a comma between "...end up doing a" and "'Comma Splice'." Also, the period after "Comma Splice" belongs inside the quotations (I never liked that rule).

I can't think of any tips other than to try saying it out loud, but if you need help, feel free to PM me. 3nodding  

[Sanami2315]

This is how you use commas:

First, they're used to set apart unnecessary, although interesting, information in a sentence (a good example being the 'although interesting' in this one).
Next, they're used to separate independent clauses with a conjunction (example: I went to the party, but I didn't have fun.).
They're also used to separate introductions and...

Oh, screw it. Here.

THIS WILL TEACH YOU