Commas are useful punctuation characters. On the one hand, they help us to sort our thoughts and on the other hand, they facilitate reading \u2013 when they are correctly punctuated. So, let\u2019s have a closer look at the most basic comma rule in the German language: Listing things, people, features, and actions.<\/p>\n
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Simple words: Listing things, people, and features<\/b><\/p>\n
Basically, commas divide sentences into units of meanings. This is especially discernable when we name things or people that are involved in an action, or when we describe the features of something or someone, that is, using adjectives. In such cases, every item or word is separated by a comma.<\/p>\n
1. Hammer, Schraubenziehen, Bohrmaschine sind im Werkzeugkasten. \u2013 Hammer, screwdriver, drill are in the tool box.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n 2. Bettina braucht Geschenkpapier, Schere, Klebeband. \u2013 Bettina needs gift wrap, scissors, sticky tape.<\/p>\n 3. B\u00e4cker, Koch, Bauarbeiter sind anstrengende Berufe. \u2013 Baker, cook, construction worker are demanding jobs.<\/p>\n 4. Anett, Claudia, Peter machen eine Radtour. \u2013 Anett, Claudia, Peter are on a bike trip.<\/p>\n 5. Herr Meier ist hilfbereit, flei\u00dfig, zuverl\u00e4ssig. \u2013 Herr Meier is obliging, diligent, reliable.<\/p>\n 6. Das Essen ist preiswert, frisch, lecker. \u2013 The food is inexpensive, fresh, delicious.<\/p>\n Usually, the final element in listings is added with the preceding conjunction \u201cund\u201d (and). When you use \u201cund\u201d in your listing you don\u2019t have to punctuate a comma.<\/p>\n 7. Hammer, Schraubenziehen und Bohrmaschine sind im Werkzeugkasten.<\/p>\n 8. Bettina braucht Geschenkpapier, Schere und Klebeband.<\/p>\n 9. B\u00e4cker, Koch und Bauarbeiter sind anstrengende Berufe.<\/p>\n 10. Anett, Claudia und Peter machen eine Radtour.<\/p>\n 11. Herr Meier ist hilfbereit, flei\u00dfig und zuverl\u00e4ssig.<\/p>\n 12. Das Essen ist preiswert, frisch und lecker.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Word groups: Listing actions<\/b><\/p>\n Units of meaning can also be arranged in groups of words, for example, when you describe the action of someone. In such cases, you have to separate every single action with a comma. Just as above, the last element or action is added with the conjunction \u201cund\u201d, hence, we don’t \u00a0need a comma.<\/p>\n 13. Frau M\u00fcller schlie\u00dft die T\u00fcr auf, betritt die Wohnung, stellt ihre Tasche ab, zieht sich die Schuhe aus, geht ins Wohnzimmer und setzt sich aufs Sofa. \u2013 Frau M\u00fcller unlocks the door, enters the apartment, puts down her bag, takes off her shoes, goes into the living room, and sits down on the couch.<\/p>\n If you like you can enlarge the units of meaning and add more information to each word group of your sentence. For example, your statement can also look like this now:<\/p>\n 14. Frau M\u00fcller schlie\u00dft ger\u00e4uschvoll die T\u00fcr auf, betritt schnell die Wohnung, stellt behutsam ihre Tasche ab, zieht sich leise die Schuhe aus, geht fr\u00f6hlich ins Wohnzimmer und setzt sich seufzend aufs Sofa. \u2013 Frau M\u00fcller unlocks the door noisily, enters the apartment quickly, puts down her bag cautiously, takes off her shoes quietly, goes into the living room cheerfully, and sits down on the couch sighing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Commas are useful punctuation characters. On the one hand, they help us to sort our thoughts and on the other hand, they facilitate reading \u2013 when they are correctly punctuated. So, let\u2019s have a closer look at the most basic comma rule in the German language: Listing things, people, features, and actions. Simple words…<\/p>\n