There are enough rules about when to use a comma and when not to use one to drive any normal person insane. Following are some words that cause confusion for many where comma usage is concerned.
Beginning a Sentence with And, But, or So
People often begin sentences with and, but, or so and they usually follow this word with a comma. But is this correct?
Garner’s Modern English Usage, Fourth Edition, says on page 841: Like and and but, so is a good word for beginning a sentence (no comma following). Each of these three is the informal equivalent of a heavier and longer conjunctive adverb (Additionally, However, and Consequently or Therefore). Rhetoric, not grammar, is what counts here. The shorter word affords a brisker pace.
Direct Address
There should be no confusion about the direct address comma, but many people neglect to use it. First, what is a direct address? It is a name or nickname or anything standing in for a name that one person calls another: Mom, Dad, friend, darling, young man, professor, doctor, etc.
When these or any other name is used to address someone, the direct address should be set off with commas.
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Mom, is it okay if Adrienne comes over after school?
No, Dad, I did my homework, but I neglected to turn it in.
Good to see you, friend.
It’s so nice to see you, darling.
Do you understand the consequences of your actions, young man?
Doctor, how many tests need to be run?
Professor, please excuse me from class.
So
Sometimes you place a comma before so, and sometimes you don’t. How do you know whether a comma is needed or not? It all depends on whether the clause introduced by so is an independent clause or a dependent clause. Remember, an independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence but a dependent clause cannot.
The following two examples are each correct.
The grocery store was out of mushrooms, so I borrowed some from my neighbor.
I went to the store so I could buy mushrooms.
In the first sentence, I borrowed some from my neighbor is a complete sentence, so a comma is needed.
But in the second sentence, I could buy mushrooms is also a complete sentence, so why isn’t a comma needed here? Look closer at the total sentence. If you can insert the word that after so and it still makes sense, then no comma is needed.
I went to the store so that I could buy mushrooms.
While
How do you know whether or not to use a comma before while?
Shelly is dancing in the rain while holding an umbrella over her head.
In the above sentence, Shelly is doing two actions at the same time. You do not use a comma before while when you’re talking about two actions that are taking place at the same time.
But there is another way that while is used. When you use while in the middle of a sentence, and it means “whereas” or “although,” then you need a comma before it.
Susan prefers a dark red wine, while her husband prefers beer.
What words are you confused about whether or not to use a comma with?
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