Definition

1. Noun:
   • A punctuation mark (,): A comma is a punctuation mark used to indicate a pause or separation between parts of a sentence, such as between items in a list or clauses.
   • A type of butterfly: A comma is also a North American and European butterfly (Polygonia c-album) with a white comma-shaped mark on the underside of its hind wings.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Punctuation):
  • Please buy apples, oranges, and bananas. (The comma separates items in a list.)
  • She was tired, so she went to bed early. (The comma separates two independent clauses joined by a conjunction.)
• Noun (Butterfly):
  • We saw a comma resting on the flower. (This refers to the butterfly species.)

Advanced Usage

• The Oxford or Serial Comma: The use of a comma before the conjunction (usually 'and' or 'or') in a list of three or more items.
  • The flag is red, white, and blue. (The comma after 'white' is the Oxford comma.)
• Comma Splice: An error where two independent clauses are joined only by a comma without a coordinating conjunction.
  • Incorrect: It's raining, I have an umbrella. (This is a comma splice.)

Variants and Related Words

• Inverted commas (n, chiefly British): Quotation marks.
  • The title was in inverted commas.
• Comma butterfly (n): The full name for the insect.

Synonyms

• Punctuation mark: (General category)
• Butterfly, anglewing: (For the insect)

Related Phrases

• Put something in commas: To enclose something in quotation marks.
  • He put the technical term in commas.
• Comma fault: Another term for a comma splice error.

Related Idioms

• Dot the i's and cross the t's (and use the commas): (An extended, informal variant) To be meticulous and pay attention to every small detail, including punctuation.

Noun

1. anglewing butterfly with a comma-shaped mark on the underside of each hind wing
2. a punctuation mark (,) used to indicate the separation of elements within the grammatical structure of a sentence