Among the punctuation marks, the comma is certainly the one that causes the most doubts among Portuguese speakers. A misplaced or omitted comma can cause serious damage to the understanding of the text, especially when the subject is the written modality, since in speech we know when to make the necessary pauses so that our interlocutor adequately understands the message. Here's just an example of the importance of this punctuation mark:
We don't want you here!
No, we want you here!
Two identical sentences, the only difference concerns punctuation. Although similar, their meanings are completely different because of the comma. How to know what the author's intention was? Does he or does he want the person to remain there? Complicated to know, right? That's right, all because of the point of discord, an element that, when misused, can cause ambiguity, among other problems of interpretation.
Today we're going to talk about three myths around about the use of comma, myths that were so disseminated and repeated ended up gaining the status of absolute truth. Are we going to learn more? Enjoy your reading and good studies!
Three Myths About Comma Usage You Need to Know
Myth 1: A comma is synonymous with a pause.
Yes, we know you learned at school that the comma exists to mark breaks, and probably your parents and grandparents learned the same way. This is an ancient myth, which originated in the Middle Ages, a time when silent reading was not a common habit because the people used to read their texts aloud and, to mark the pauses and intonations, they used the signs of punctuation. Based on this myth, many people end up separating the subject from the predicate with a comma because they believe that there is a pause there. See an example:
Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)
Students at the Faculty of Arts returned from an exchange in Canada.(wrong)
Students at the Faculty of Arts returned from an exchange in Canada. (right)
Myth 2: It is expressly prohibited to use the comma between the subject and the predicate:
Among the rules for the correct use of the comma, this is perhaps the most remembered. But we are sorry to tell you that the use of the comma between subject and predicate is not always wrong. Like all punctuation marks, the comma serves to guide the reading and thus assist the reader in interpreting the text. It is recommended that it be used only in places where the reader needs to be alerted that something different is happening, which will facilitate the understanding of the message. Note some examples where the use of the comma between subject and predicate is not only allowed but necessary:
Whoever loses the joy of living, loses everything.
Those who read little, barely write, barely understand.
Myth 3: Never put a comma before the “and”:
Another widespread myth is that before the “and” the comma is prohibited. Not quite... Know some situations in which the use of the comma before the "e" is allowed:
● When the “and” integrates the expression “and yes”:
He was not a good student, he was a bad example. (He was not a good student, but a bad example).
● When the “e” introduces a sequence of several clauses or terms:
She begged, and begged, and cried, and argued, but she still didn't convince the police.
● When the “e” connects two sentences whose subjects are different:
I went to school, and Laura went to work.
By Luana Castro
Graduated in Letters
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
PEREZ, Luana Castro Alves. "Three Comma Myths You Need to Know"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/gramatica/tres-mitos-sobre-uso-virgula-que-voce-precisa-conhecer.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.
