When to Use Commas

Hello, you have A Way with Words.

Hi, this is Bubby Valentino calling from New Orleans.

How are you all this morning?

Hi, Bubby. How are you doing?

Hello.

Doing great.

Listen, I’ve got a comma problem, and I have two forms of writing that I do with my work. One is I’m a general manager of a hotel, and reports need to be succinct and specific and by the rules. The other is I’m a record producer, and, you know, I like to communicate in a form that sounds like me, in a speaking tone rather than in a written form. And, you know, the comma, I think I might overuse it. And I’m just wondering about the flexibility with the rather basic rule, you know, that you can read in any grammar book about, you know, when there’s a change of thought.

Well, anyway, I’m not going to quote the rule because I don’t quote it. But, Bobby, we get where you’re going with this. There’s a set of rules that say, use a comma here when you’re doing this. And then there’s this whole other use of a comma where it’s about pacing and timing. And that’s where you’re interested, right?

Correct, exactly.

Pacing and timing, yes. And what kind of writing are you talking about doing specifically?

Well, it’s communicating with, let’s say, about a music session or about an event that’s happening where, you know, you don’t want to sound like a hipster or an attempt at it, but you want to be less formal than when you’re writing a report that needs just succinct, accurate information. And, you know, they differ. My report is one thing, and my communication with others is sometimes an attempt at humor, and, you know, those pauses are important, it seems to me. But I don’t know that they appear as grammatically incorrect because I think I might overuse it.

Well, are you communicating conversationally, like in email with these folks?

No, this would be emails or written form. If I want to create a sheet that explains a promotion, let’s say, an event that I’m part of, you know, it’ll be something I want to have a personality to it to try to describe the event and that I’m doing it. It’s that line between it being specific to the rules of the road and those that are, if I were talking to you, you would get that it’s me communicating. And I find that important.

Yeah.

Yeah, that’s a great question. And I think we come down on the side of write the way you talk. Yeah, if it’s an informal document and you feel like it’s needed to be understood better so people can hear your voice in their heads when they’re reading your words, try it and see what happens.

Have you gotten pushback or complaints from people about too many commas sprinkled everywhere?

Well, actually, that probably is what created my call here today, because the person who gets the formal reports has, on more than one occasion, requested that it be more direct and less talky. Now, I don’t really write in rambling sentences, but they are, again, me communicating, and I need to take some pride on my ego requires that I do that. And so, you know, I know how to write the other one, but somehow I’m moved to be myself in that context, and the report’s still complete. It’s just less staccato facts and more style.

Well, you know, a bit of a dilemma, but not really, because I get my point across either way. And, you know, if my personality works, great. If it doesn’t, well, that’s me.

Let’s start there, Bubby. That’s a really good point. You are writing in a way that successfully communicates your point. You’re not writing a letter to the president, right? You’re not writing a letter to a lawyer who holds your life in his hands, right, or to a judge that could decide your fate. So the stakes on this are high, but not that high. And they’re not, you know, these are low stakes kind of, you know, there’s not a lot of risk here.

I think there’s a difference here and also background and upbringing where people who are maybe accountants and lawyers and people like that, they are schooled in business writing and they write the they write text that’s specific to their profession that other people find hard to read. And they find perfectly solves their problem, perfectly does the job of communicating. Maybe, you know, it sounds like you’re an entrepreneur and a businessman. Maybe you’re the boss and your writing goes. Maybe it’s perfect for your circumstances.

I think that what you’re saying reminds me of the advice that we often give to people, which is if you want your writing to really shine, be sure that you read that last version aloud. Because I think sometimes you can get so hung up in, oh, where does the comma go, that it can stifle or hamper your writing. But if you read that final draft, often you can see or hear, actually, where the commas should go.

Well, Bubby, thanks for calling. I hope we’ve helped. Stay in touch with us. Let us know how it’s going, all right?

I will.

Thanks. You guys have an entertaining show, and I appreciate the advice.

Our pleasure.

Take care now.

Thanks, Bubby.

Bye.

Bye-bye.

If you’ve got a dilemma like Bubby’s, give us a call, 877-929-9673. Email us, words@waywordradio.org.