3 ms·

Alex, you're a very skilled storyteller. I enjoyed reading the post. I have one small piece of constructive feedback: your use of commas was a little confusing

Alex, you're a very skilled storyteller. I enjoyed reading the post. I have one small piece of constructive feedback: your use of commas was a little confusing at times, and it slowed down my reading. Commas can be tricky, and I sometimes struggle with them as well. Here's a quick guide that I find useful: http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/commas.asp http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/commas.asp

alexp 13y ago
Thanks :) I'll improve. Best, Alex
pjbrunet 13y ago
You didn't need a comma here: "at times and it slowed" Or here: "can be tricky and I sometimes struggle" Granted, you might want a dramatic pause or the comma might break up parts that could be misconstrued as together. Chiding Alex with superfluous commas? Generally speaking I recommend dropping commas where you can. Like you said, they're speed bumps.
- hawkharris 13y ago
  You should use commas to separate complete sentences. That's what I did in both cases. There's no need for either of us to be snarky. I told Alex that I enjoyed his writing and respectfully offered feedback.
  - pjbrunet 13y ago
    "I have one small piece of constructive feedback: your use of commas was a little confusing at times, and it slowed down my reading. Commas can be tricky, and I sometimes struggle with them as well." I'm not saying you're wrong. Yes the sentences are complete but how self-sufficient are they? It's a sliding scale from no comma to comma to period. Some of these rules are not hard and fast. The art of writing is slowly evolving and to a degree it's a matter of taste. Some people love hyphens. In this case there's a strong enough correlation, conceptual link between the sentences such that the reader doesn't need a comma to read what you're saying in one breath. If it sounds good in one breath, that's a strong signal you don't need a comma. Knowing the basic rules is just the beginning. I'm dead serious.

alexp 13y ago

Thanks :) I'll improve. Best, Alex

pjbrunet 13y ago

You didn't need a comma here: "at times and it slowed" Or here: "can be tricky and I sometimes struggle" Granted, you might want a dramatic pause or the comma might break up parts that could be misconstrued as together. Chiding Alex with superfluous commas? Generally speaking I recommend dropping commas where you can. Like you said, they're speed bumps.

hawkharris 13y ago
You should use commas to separate complete sentences. That's what I did in both cases. There's no need for either of us to be snarky. I told Alex that I enjoyed his writing and respectfully offered feedback.
- pjbrunet 13y ago
  "I have one small piece of constructive feedback: your use of commas was a little confusing at times, and it slowed down my reading. Commas can be tricky, and I sometimes struggle with them as well." I'm not saying you're wrong. Yes the sentences are complete but how self-sufficient are they? It's a sliding scale from no comma to comma to period. Some of these rules are not hard and fast. The art of writing is slowly evolving and to a degree it's a matter of taste. Some people love hyphens. In this case there's a strong enough correlation, conceptual link between the sentences such that the reader doesn't need a comma to read what you're saying in one breath. If it sounds good in one breath, that's a strong signal you don't need a comma. Knowing the basic rules is just the beginning. I'm dead serious.