Question

How can commas change meaning?

Answer 1

Hint: Commas are one of the categories of punctuation marks that is used in several contexts, most often for separating specific parts of a sentence or text like clauses and items in a list that contains three or more items. The word ‘Comma’ is derived from the Greek word komma, which means a cut-off or disjointed piece. Example: I went to buy some fruits. I got apples, bananas, grapes, watermelon and pears. We will see how commas change the meaning of a sentence in the complete answer below.

Complete answer:
Let us discuss the impact of commas in a sentence. We make the use of a comma while connecting two independent clauses and placing the comma after the first independent clause. Example: I am free on the weekends. Let us go shopping. These independent clauses can be rewritten as: I am free on the weekends , let us go shopping.

Commas are used to break up sentences into bits that go together. They divide phrases and are used to group things together. So on the basis of where we need to put a comma (or not put a comma), we can change the meaning of the sentence.

Example: Let’s eat kids!
Example: Let’s eat, kids !

In the first example, the meaning induced is that the speaker is proposing to eat kids. (Well, that will be a terrible mistake). In the second example, the meaning indicates that the speaker is calling the kids to eat together. (Which is undoubtedly, the correct meaning). Therefore, this is how a placement of a comma can change meanings.

Note: A group of words that combines a subject and a verb and to express a complete thought is called a sentence or an independent clause. Sometimes, an independent clause stands alone as a sentence, whereas sometimes two independent clauses are linked together and form what we call a compound sentence.