Might as well grab a snack; this is going to take a while. However, if you're looking for information on dialogue tags, look for a later entries.
There are a variety of reasons for which one uses a comma. Don't use them if otherwise.
LISTS
So, if one is listing three or more things, one uses a comma after each word. I have also been taught that, although it is up to style, putting a comma after the second last item in the list (before the "and") is more "correct" than otherwise. You may know this as the serial comma. The same applies if one is using "or" au lieu of "and."
E.g.: I would like to name my children Alexander, Nicolai, or Vasilisa.
CONNECTORS
Say you have two sentences. You think they should be together; however, they are both independant clauses. (An independant clause is a complete sentence.) How does one remedy this?
Well, one simply needs to put a comma after the first clause. Then, put a conjunction. (A conjunction is a "connector" word, like "and" or "but.") Finally, but the other clause. Ta daa!
Adverbial clauses also follow this rule. (That means phrases that start with words like, "although" and "because."
E.g.: I would love kids, but I'm too young to have any.
INTRODUCTIONS
If one is adding an introductory phrase such as "that morning" at the beginning of a sentence, a comma is also necessary.
E.g.: When I'm 32, I will have 3 kids.
UNNECESSARY ELEMENTS
So, if one is adding information into a text, and this information isn't needed in the sentence, it is an unnecessary element. In this case, pretend the commas are parenthesis; they are circling what can be taken out.
E.g.: My first child, Alexander, can have the nickname Sasha.
ADJECTIVES
Sometimes, I want to write two adjectives in a row. If these adjectives are interchangable, I must put a comma in between them. However, if you do not want a comma, you can put "and" instead.
E.g.: My big, smart child will be born second. (OR My big and smart child will be born second.)
CONTRAST
If one is speaking of two very different elements, a comma is also used.
E.g.: All of my children will be cute, not ugly.
Ignoring the vast amount of rules, commas aren't that hard. Once one uses them in practice, they are simple and second nature. And after learning about dialogue tags, you will be the master of them.
YOU ARE READING
The Grammar Nazi Handbook
Não FicçãoThis is going to work as follows: I go on Wattpad in a bad-ish mood. I will see multiple grammar mistakes; that's inevitable. Then, I can rant about common/proper usage in this very book. This is going to be fun.
