Commas in Sentences: Navigating Punctuation for Clarity

Effective writing involves not only choosing the right words but also mastering proper punctuation to convey your message clearly and professionally. This article addresses a common query about the use of commas in sentences, explores sentence structure, and provides practical examples to help you refine your writing.

Understanding Commas: A Key to Sentence Clarity

The debate over the use of commas is a perennial one. Commas serve multiple purposes, including separating elements in a list, setting off non-essential information, and, as we’ll see, preventing run-on sentences. A comma before a conjunction (like "and" or "but") is particularly important to avoid a run-on sentence, where two independent clauses are improperly connected without any punctuation.

Let's dive into a specific example: "Do I need to use a comma in this sentence?" According to the context of your usage, unless there's an enumeration or a non-essential element that needs separation, a comma is not required. However, if you were listing multiple items or adding an afterthought, commas would be necessary. For instance, "I bought a laptop, a keyboard, and a mouse. They were on sale."

Correcting an Irregular CV Sentence

Your sentence about educational and professional background can be structured with proper punctuation to enhance readability. Here are a few revised versions:

Original Sentences

“My Bachelor's degree in XX from XX College
3 years of experience designing digital experiences for XX
and
13 years spent
creating, editing and curating
multimedia content for clubs and organizations
have provided me
a strong foundation upon which to build with your team.”

Revised Sentences

Version 1:
“My bachelor’s degree in X from X College, role as owner of an X business, and 13 years of experience creating and curating graphics and content into print and digital products, provide me a strong foundation upon which to build with your team. Keep the comma before 'provide me'.”

Version 2:
“My bachelor’s degree in X from X College, role as owner of an X business, and 13 years of experience creating visual content, have provided me a strong visual and entrepreneurial foundation upon which to build with your team. Use a comma before 'have provided me'.”

Notice in both versions, a comma is used to separate independent clauses and to maintain clarity. This punctuation ensures that each component of your background is clearly distinguished and the sentence remains easy to read.

Sentence Division and Punctuation

Your observation about dividing the sentence to avoid ambiguity is also valid. Where you see two distinct elements in a sentence, it's beneficial to separate them with appropriate punctuation.

For example, in your sentence: "Jack saw John and Scott lying naked against two maroon armchairs their bodies were riddled with stab wounds. The carpet around them was drenched in an ocean of blood."

You can improve the readability of this sentence by splitting it:

“Jack saw John and Scott lying naked against two maroon armchairs. Their bodies were riddled with stab wounds. The carpet around them was drenched in an ocean of blood.”

This division makes each clause independent and easier to understand without relying on punctuation for separation, enhancing the overall flow of the sentence.

Conclusion

Proper use of commas can greatly enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing. Whether you're crafting a resume, writing a report, or composing a novel, ensuring that your sentences are punctuated correctly can make a significant difference in how your message is received.