Here are more ways in which commas add meaning to sentences:
Below are the times we use commas:
- to separate words and phrases that provide more information from the rest of the sentence: Nomsa’s mother had promised to take a cake to the women’s group meeting, to have with tea afterwards, so she didn’t want to let the group down.
- to separate words such as ‘however’, ‘of course’, ‘nevertheless’, from the rest of the sentence: Nomsa , however, always did her best to be helpful.
- to separate words that introduce a point of view: Naturally, her mother forgave her.
- to show the contrast between two ideas: The harder she tried, the more mistakes she made.
- to separate words or phrases that introduce the sentence: Once again, she picked up the shopping bag and walked to the shop.
The usual rule is not to use a comma before ‘and’. But sometimes it may be necessary. See this example:
The little girl loves her parents, Father Christmas and Susie-the-dog. It sounds like her parents’ names are Father Christmas and Susie-the-dog. A comma helps: The little girl loves her parents, Father Christmas, and Susie-the-dog.