The comma is the punctuational equivalent to life activities such as smelling roses and being still and knowing who is god.
In a recent email to a friend, I noted in closing that the email “probably contained too many exclamation points.”
I seem to abuse the comma and the exclamation point to a frightening extent, in both writing and in life. This leaves a person gasping for breath and slipping into a coma, alternatively.
“You need to go home and take a break,” I was told recently. I’ve been exhausting myself.
“That’s excellent advice,” I replied, and I am going to take it. I had a weekend at home planned, anyway, and it all seemed fortuitous now. I am scorched; retreat is necessary.
No, shame
in going home!
No shame!
in going, home
No shame,
in going home!
It makes a big difference, that comma and that exclamation point. The meaning is completely changed.
