逗號

在用逗號時，有幾種基本規則，但逗號的用法其實還有很多種語，像是用逗號來添加句子的意思或強調某件事情、要點或意義。

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雖然老師常這麼教：逗號是用來方便我們在句中有「呼吸的空間」。但更精確的說法，是用來組織多個想法或邏輯。另外，先不論文法上的規則，多數人總會在句中加逗號來確保意思有表達清楚；而有時如果句子沒逗號也不會影響意思，就乾脆不加逗號。

在列舉的片語、字詞或子句之間做分隔

在列舉事物時，一般會用逗號來分隔各項事物。但列舉到最後兩項事物時，通常會在倒數第二項的字尾標上逗號，再接「and」或「or」來舉出最後一項。這種逗號在編輯的術語中，叫做「牛津逗號」。

一系列的獨立子句（多個句子）

舉例

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.

一系列的名詞

舉例

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

一系列的形容詞

列舉一系列的形容詞時，通常也會用上逗號。然而，如果形容詞是在修飾別的形容詞，則不必以逗號分隔（請見第三個例句）。

舉例

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

一系列的動詞

舉例

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

一系列的片語

舉例

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.

添加額外的資訊

用逗號來添加非限定關係子句或非必要性的細節或評論，在嵌入的子句前一個字的字尾還有子句的句尾，都會加上逗號。

舉例

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.

分詞片語

舉例

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.

附加問句

舉例

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

插入的詞語

舉例

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

如果把逗號加在錯誤的地方，可會導致整個句子的意思不同。觀察這兩個句子吧：
I detest liars like you; I believe that honesty is the best policy. = 我憎恨像你一樣的騙子。
I detest liars, like you; I believe that honesty is the best policy. = 你跟你一樣都憎恨騙子。

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