Punctuation Mistakes #1: Unnecessary Commas

DailyWritingTips Posted: 16 Sep 2014 09:52 PM PDT A common error with commas is to sprinkle them where they don’t belong. Here are five examples of this type of comma error. 1. Incorrect: The laptop on the table, is mine. Correct: The laptop on the table is mine. Do not separate a subject from its verb. The subject is “The laptop on the table.” 2. Incorrect: Motel rooms, that are dirty, ought to be illegal. Correct: Motel rooms that are dirty ought to be illegal. Do not set off a restrictive clause. The clause “that are dirty” is essential to the meaning of “motel rooms.” No commas are needed. 3. Incorrect: The dog understood at once, what his handler wanted. Correct: The dog understood at once what his handler wanted. Do not separate a verb from its direct object or complement. The clause “what his handler wanted” is the object of the verb understood. 4. Incorrect: Jethro wanted to be either a brain surgeon, or a fry cook. Correct: Jethro wanted to be either a brain surgeon or a fry cook. Do not use a comma to separate paired elements joined by coordinate conjunctions. The paired elements are “a brain surgeon” and “a fry cook.” No comma is needed. 5. Incorrect: The famous author lives in a small town, because she doesn’t like the noise of a big city. Correct: The famous author lives in a small town because she doesn’t like the noise of a big city. Do not set off an introductory independent (main) clause from a following dependent clause. “The famous author lives in a small town” is the main clause. Note: if the dependent clause comes first, a comma is needed: “Because she doesn’t like the noise of a big city, the famous author lives in a small town.”