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To position an element SEO there are different rules such as the use of keywords, internal and external links, URL optimization, among others. However, we should not ignore the basic rules of any text, spelling rules.

It’s common sense, if you as an editor notice that you’re out of breath reading your own text or there’s something inconsistent, that means you really ate something, the comma. Google will not position what users do not understand, so in this article we will remember how to use the comma correctly to obtain readable and optimized texts.

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12 basic rules of using the comma

Do not risk writing an interesting text that no one will read by abusing punctuation marks. Always remember these 10 rules and improve your texts.

a. Using commas to separate items

The use of the comma indicates a short pause that occurs in the statement. It is used to separate the members of an enumeration, except those which are preceded by one of the conjunctions and, e, o, u. Let’s see some examples:

• He is a very reserved and studious boy from a good family.

2. To clarify

It is important to use two commas, the one at the beginning and the one at the end of the clarification. Sometimes you can find this same circumstance with the use of an em dash (—) or parentheses.

Here are some specific uses:

affixes

Apposition is a statement that provides information to the text. This is useful for specifying what or who are we talking about:

• Maria, the hotel receptionist, was a hard worker.
• The refrigerator, the device that keeps things cool, is the best option for your home.

WHEN USING EXPLANATORY ADJECTIVES

As their name suggests, they are used to clarify the cause or reason for something.

• Juliana, tired of running all day, preferred to stay at home.
• Three of his friends, affected by the virus, were unable to attend the party.

EXPLANATORY COMMENTS

The use of the comma is between a comment that seeks to explain the message or give meaning to the text.

• My whole family, including my brother, agreed.
• She is, among my friends, the most beloved.
• This gave us, after so many disappointments, great joy.

Accessory comments

They are called accessories because have no direct link with the declaration What are we talking about. This means that if the clarification is removed, the text is still understood.

• My grandmother Margarita, what a wonderful woman! She took care of me and my siblings when we were little.
• The president decided to withdraw from the elections, so as not to harm his political party.

3. To separate grammatically similar elements

The comma is used for separate grammatically equivalent memberss in the same sentence, except where one of the conjunctions et, e, ni, o, u is involved. Look at the following example:

• Before leaving, close the curtains, close the windows, turn off the lights and turn the key.
• I am interested in what happens to you, your mother, your sister and everyone who lives in this house.

4. Comma, to isolate nouns that function as vocatives

It is useful for separate the vocative, which is used to name or call someone, from the rest of the sentence. It doesn’t have to be a proper name.

• July, come here.
• I said listen to me, guys.

5. To list

When the elements of the list constitute the subject of the sentence or a verb complement and are placed before the verb, do not put a comma after the latter.

• The dog, the cat and the mouse are mammals.
• There were friends who could not attend the event: Susana, Carla, Pablo and David.

6. In sentences with correlative adverbs

The use of the comma will be before the use of the adverb which works like a disjunctive conjunction:

• We will organize the meeting, either at your place or at my place.
• From a certain age, either you have the symptoms or something worse.

They are also used for separate juxtaposed sentences and in popular sayings such as: eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.

7. Before words like except, except and less

Using a comma is recommended when we use some of these three words.

• Everything worries me, except loneliness.
• The professor always arrived early, unless he had an emergency.
• I could forgive everything except infidelity.

8. Before conjunctions or conjunctive sentences in compound sentences

This norm includes words like but, more, although, but (that), so, so that.

• Do what you want, but don’t complain.
• Pablo is right, even if it’s hard to believe.
• You promised to be early, so don’t complain.

9. In interjections

Interjections are those words that express an emotion. The use of commas is essential after using them. Here are some examples of interjections:

• Ah! : Refer to sorrow, admiration or surprise
• Puaj: Relating to the feeling of disgust
• Ay! : As an expression of pain
• Oh: Admiration or surprise
• My God: Also to express astonishment or surprise

10. After transition words

The use of transition words is very common in different texts to explain or give continuity to a paragraph. The use of the comma must be done after using these words:

• That is to say,
• Now well,
• On the other hand,
• However,
• However,
• On the contrary,
• In fgeneral,
• Ultimately,
• Besides,

11. Use the comma with an ellipsis

Ellipsis is a resource used to avoid repeating the same verb in a sentence. This is done when we understand what we are going to refer to:

• For Christmas, I will give a bag to my mother; to my father, shoes.
• Those who have a reservation, at this table.

The comma performs the function of replacing the verb and prevents the meaning of the statement in the paragraph from being misunderstood.

12. In compound sentences that begin with a subordinate

Remember that a subordinate clause is a clause that depends on another clause to have meaning. Together they form a compound sentence. when the subordinate comes first, it must be followed by a comma:

• Although the economic situation has improved, we have not yet reached our goal.
• If you’re not working, I’d rather you stay home.
• Regardless of my explanation, she decided not to believe me.

By applying all these rules, you can write attractive and easy-to-read texts for everyone. In addition, Google will assess your writing level, as well as the other factors of seo copywriting, and will take into account your article to position you in the first places of the search engines.

What did you think of this article on the use of the comma? There are many other rules regarding this punctuation mark, so we invite you to continue to feed this content in the comments.

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