逗号

在用逗号时，有几种基本规则，但逗号的用法其实还有很多种语，像是用逗号来添加句子的意思或强调某件事情丶要点或意义。

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虽然老师常这么教：逗号是用来方便我们在句中有「呼吸的空间」。但更精确的说法，是用来组织多个想法或逻辑。另外，先不论文法上的规则，多数人总会在句中加逗号来确保意思有表达清楚；而有时如果句子没逗号也不会影响意思，就乾脆不加逗号。

在列举的片语丶字词或子句之间做分隔

在列举事物时，一般会用逗号来分隔各项事物。但列举到最後两项事物时，通常会在倒数第二项的字尾标上逗号，再接「and」或「or」来举出最後一项。这种逗号在编辑的术语中，叫做「牛津逗号」。

一系列的独立子句（多个句子）

举例

I met Harry, we went for a swim together, and afterwards Harry went home.
I like your son, I might even love him, but he is not a very good soccer player.

一系列的名词

举例

For dinner I had soup, fish, chicken, dessert, and coffee.
This afternoon I went to Oxford Circus, Picadilly, Hamstead, and Gatwick Airport.

一系列的形容词

列举一系列的形容词时，通常也会用上逗号。然而，如果形容词是在修饰别的形容词，则不必以逗号分隔（请见第三个例句）。

举例

She was young, beautiful, kind, and intelligent.
The house we visited was dark, dreary, and run-down.
She was wearing a bright red shirt.

一系列的动词

举例

Tony ran towards me, fell, yelled, and fainted.
The boy leapt, spun, twisted, and dove into the water.

一系列的片语

举例

The car smashed into the wall, flipped onto its roof, slid along the road, and finally stopped against a tree.
The dog leapt into the air, snatched the frisbee in its mouth, landed, and ran off into the forest.

添加额外的信息

用逗号来添加非限定关系子句或非必要性的细节或评论，在嵌入的子句前一个字的字尾还有子句的句尾，都会加上逗号。

举例

China, one of the most powerful nations on Earth, has a huge population.
Jason's grandmother, who was born in 1930, lived through the Second World War.
Cats, unlike dogs, do not respect their masters.
My friend, Jim, likes to go scuba diving.

分词片语

举例

Hearing that her father was in hospital, Jane left work immediately.
Walking to the bus stop that morning, Sam knew it was going to be a special day.

附加问句

举例

She lives in Paris, doesn't she?
We haven't met, have we?

插入的词语

举例

Yes, I will stay a little longer, thank you.
No, he isn't like other boys.
Wait, I didn't mean to scare you.

最後的小提醒

如果把逗号加在错误的地方，可会导致整个句子的意思不同。观察这两个句子吧：
I detest liars like you; I believe that honesty is the best policy. = 我憎恨像你一样的骗子。
I detest liars, like you; I believe that honesty is the best policy. = 你跟你一样都憎恨骗子。

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