commas

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commas
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A comma is a light pause, a break within a
sentence
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A comma is a punctuation mark
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Punctuation is...

• a way of breaking up written text so that its
  sense is clear to the reader
• done according to the sense of written material
• often helped by hearing what it sounds like when
  read aloud

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So, a comma is ...

• A light punctuation mark within a sentence groups
  words so that their meaning is clear to a reader
• , , , , , , , , , , ,

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(1) Most famously, commas break up lists of
words...

• The salt, pepper and cheese are on the table.
• She bought presents for Sue, Jenny and Robert.
• The dog, the cat and the hamster sat together.

• The food was ready stewed steak, steamed
  vegetables and creamed potatoes.
• I invited Jo and Sam, Robert and Gerry, and Bill
  and Lesley.

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(2) Commas can act as light brackets

• The job, which was advertised yesterday, is not
  well paid.
• The cat, which is still sleeping, has got a new
  collar.
• The newsreader, who used to be an actor, has a
  deep voice.
• The dog, who was on his own, does not get on with
  cats or hamsters.