I was actually on a Facebook writer's site and saw authors discussing commas. I'm no grammar or punctuation Nazi, and sometimes I post from my phone, so punctuation flies out the window. Still, this was a discussion and NOT about a typo or simplified language because of a mobile device.
Who Cares About Commas?
If you want to improve your writing, you should at least know a few basic comma rules. Then you can decide when you should be a stickler and when to relax. What you shouldn't do is enter a discussion about when to use a comma and just make stuff up off of the top of your head.
The most common comma problem can be solved by a rule that's often called FANBOYS. A lot of the writers on that post thought this was something they could just choose to follow or not.
No really, you can choose, but if you choose wrong, you'll be wrong. That doesn't make you a bad person, but why not just use commas correctly to avoid criticism and enhance your credibility?
What is the FANBOYS Comma Rule?
There are more technical ways to explain this. I'm going to make this simple:
In English, we commonly use for, and, nor (not so common), but, or, and so in the middle of our sentences. The acronym of FANBOYS helps you remember these. In other words, you can remember For, And, Nor, But, Or, and So. The first letter of each word spells out FANBOYS.
If you take out that word and both parts make a complete sentence, you use a comma. If they don't, you don't use a comma.
These are some really simple examples:
We went to the store and bought dog food. (NO COMMA)
We went to the store, and Bob bought dog food. (YES, Use a comma! If you took out the AND, both sides make a complete sentence.)
I like grapes and ate the whole bag. (NO COMMA -- "ate the whole bag" is not a complete sentence.)
I like grapes, so I ate the whole bag. (Yes, use a comma)
I wanted cheese and went to the store and bought cheese. (NO comma)
I don't like cheese, but I bought some for Bob. (Yes, use a comma.)
In other words, it doesn't matter how long the sentence is or anything like that. It only matters that you have a complete sentence on both sides.
Have a nice day. :) What common mistakes bother the heck out of you?