Commas are tricky things,
especially when subordinates
and conjunctions are involved.
If you can remember a few basic rules,
a simple law of physics,
and some common scenarios,
you will be able to use commas correctly.
I like to think of the different parts
of our sentence as characters.
Let's meet a few of them:
the tiny conjunctions,
the mighty subordinates,
and the clever comma.
Conjunctions are small and nimble.
They are words that connect clauses,
words,
and phrases.
You can easily remember the conjunctions
by remembering the acronym FANBOYS.
The conjunctions are
for,
and,
nor,
but,
or,
yet,
so.
Because they're so small,
more often than not,
they require the help of a comma
but not always.
Subordinates, on the other hand,
are the WWE heavyweight champions of sentences.
They are words that connect two unequal things,
dependent and independent clauses.
Subordinates make it very clear
what is being prioritized in a sentence.
Commonly used subordinates are
although,
because,
before,
however,
unless,
and even though.
Because subordinates are all about power,
they can do a lot of heavy lifting by themselves.
But, of course, sometimes even the strongest among us
needs some help from our clever friends.
Because our clever comma is so nice,
she often roams her neighborhood
looking for some community service to do.
Today, as soon as she leaves her house,
she sees a subordinate lifting the weight
of two complete sentences,
one on each arm.
Bartheleme loves engaging in political debate
even though
he usually loses.
The comma asks the subordinate if he needs help.
Well, we know that subordinates
are the WWE heavyweight champions of sentences.
They can easily hold the weight
of these two complete sentences
because they are distributed evenly on both arms.
So, when the comma asks if it can help,
the subordinate is appalled
at the idea of needing assistance.
No thanks, maybe next time!
So, the comma continues on.
Soon, she seems a couple of subordinates
attempting to lift the weight
of sentences directly in front of themselves.
Even though Bartheleme loves to sing,
he never sings in front of others.
The comma asks the subordinates if they need help.
They might not want to admit it,
but this time the subordinates do need help.
Complete sentences weigh quite a bit.
Simple physics tells us
that it's easier to balance heavy objects
if the weight is evenly distributed.
So, while the subordinates are quite capable
of balancing two complete sentences
when carrying the weight on both sides,
they're having trouble picking just one up.
The comma rushes over
to help the struggling subordinates,
but how will she help?
When subordinates begin sentences,
the comma will place herself
directly after the first thought or complete sentence.
After helping the subordinates,
our comma heroine continues on
and spots a conjunction
holding the weight of two complete sentences.
Bartheleme was accepted into the University of Chicago,
and
he is on the waitlist for Stanford University.
The comma asks the conjunction if he needs help.
Of course he does! Hurry!
The comma rushes and places itself before the conjunction.
Fanboys aren't as militant as subordinates.
For this reason,
the commas don't have to fall in line behind the fanboys.
Fanboys are courteous creatures.
They allow the comma to go ahead of them.
Helping others is hard work!
On her way home,
our comma sees a conjunction holding up the weight
of a complete sentence
and a fragment sentence.
Bartheleme is going to major in molecular biology
or
interpretive dance.
The now-exhausted comma asks the conjunction
if he needs help lifting the items.
This is one of the rare occassions
where a conjunction doesn't need the help of a comma.
The conjunction assures the comma
that help isn't needed,
which is good for the comma
because by now,
all it wants to do is go home and rest up
for another day of vigilant sentence constructing.