The use of commas
Abstract
According to the authors of the article, the comma is the most controversial punctuation mark, as there are no fixed rules regarding its use. Besides the correct use of the comma requires a higher level of linguistic competence, given the morphosyntactic nature of the independence between elements which are separated by means of this punctuation mark.
With this approach, the authors by to look for the main rules for the use of commas (point 1), among which the first one which might he mentioned is that within independent nominal or verbal elements which make up the same syntactic unit no comma should he used. Another invariable use of the comma is to indicate the focus elements of a clause, which in oral speech are usually indicated by a change of intonation, and which in the Basque language often provoke marked groupings of the clause, which are different to neutral grouping (point 2).
In the third section, the use of the comma in chains of elements and in appositions is analyzed, as well as composite clauses; among these, it seems that subordinate clauses he have in the same way as independent elements of simple clauses (point 4).
Later (point 5), an analysis is made of what punctuation is required by the different connecting elements, such as in effect, also, on the other hand, and, or, nevertheless, etc.
These rules for using commas are summarized in the following point. In the seventh and last point, the authors mention the fact that the putting into practice of all the rules mentioned might lead to a certain stylistic stiffness or heaviness, and consequently suggest a series of alternative styles which can improve the rhythm of the sentence.
