I overuse commas.

[xXx_Antoni_xXx_PL]

My first language is Polish. I desired custom wallpapers, so I did commission them. For that reason, I, for the first time, had to write long documents in English. I saw myself overusing commas.

"I think this is not a problem.” → "I think, this is not a problem.”

In Polish one is suppose to separate every valid sentence whit comma. "I think” and "This is not a problem” are both valid sentences. I dislike my writing for that reason, it fells incomplete without commas.

I did find a workaround: some words can force comma.
"I bethink me, this is not a problem.”
Is my workaround valid, or does it change meaning of the sentence?

I am currently looking for replacement for "I want”. How can I put comma in this sentence thus, that it has the same meaning?
"I want it to be white.” → "I want, it to be white.”

I also have problem with "and”. In Polish, we do not put comma before "and”. It applies not to English: "The children love to play, and I like to let them go.”
I do not understand why the comma is there. As you can see "and” is literally a comma: "The balls were blue, green and red.”

 

[emsr2d2]

My first language is Polish. I desired wanted custom wallpapers, so I did commissioned them. For that reason, I, for the first time, had to write long documents in English. I saw myself overusing commas.

"I think this is not a problem.” → "I think, this is not a problem.”
You can't use a comma in that sentence. It's just "I think [that] this is not a problem".

In Polish, one is suppose to separate every valid complete sentence whit with a comma. "I think” and "This is not a problem” are both valid complete sentences. I dislike my writing for that reason; it fells feels incomplete without commas.
"This is not a problem" is a complete sentence. "I think" is not.

I did find a workaround: some words can force a comma. (I don't know what you mean by "force" here.)
"I bethink me, this is not a problem.” We don't use "bethink" or "bethink me" in modern English.
Is my workaround valid no comma here or does it change the meaning of the sentence?

I am currently looking for a replacement for "I want”. How can I put a comma in this sentence thus, so that it has the same meaning?
"I want it to be white.” → "I want, it to be white.”
You can't put a comma in that sentence.

I also have problem with "and”. In Polish, we do not put a comma before "and”. It applies not This does not apply to English: "The children love to play, and I like to let them go.”
No comma is needed in that sentence although using one isn't wrong. You might want to read up on the "Oxford comma".
I do not understand why the comma is there. As you can see, "and” is literally a comma: "The balls were blue, green and red.”

Note my corrections (in red and bold) and my comments (in blue italics).

A couple of other points:
1. We don't use ,, as opening quotation marks. The quotation marks at the beginning and end of a quote are identical (on most keyboards). They both look like this: "
Please make sure you use that every time. If you can't find " on your keyboard, use what looks like an apostrophe. Every quoted sentence should look like one of these:
"I want it to be white."
'I want it to be white.'

2. I have edited your opening post so that it's in paragraphs. Don't write every new sentence on its own line.

 

[xXx_Antoni_xXx_PL]

emsr2d2, thank you for your replay.

“This is not a problem” is a complete sentence. “I think” is not.

If I write a complete sentence, then I can use a comma? I do not think this will work.
“I do not think this is a problem” → “I do not think, this is a problem.”
I feel like the comma is changing the meaning o’sentence. I said that I do not think. And then I said that this, in fact, is a problem. At this point, I am not sure if “I do not think” is a complete sentence.

I see, that most of my errors are about missing “a” and “the“. I am aware of that. And I do understand why this is an error. But why did you not correct this sentence, why is it correct?
“I saw myself overusing commas.”

No comma is needed in that sentence although using one isn't wrong. You might want to read up on the “Oxford comma”.

Thank you! This is exactly what I needed to know.

 

[xXx_Antoni_xXx_PL]

I did find a workaround: some words can force a comma. (I don't know what you mean by "force" here.)

Some words can make a comma mandatory. When I was reading, I saw only two usages of bethink me:
• I bethink me of [something]
• I bethink me [comma] [next sentence]

 

[Tarheel]

One thing. Stop using "bethink" at all.

I know that is blunt, and I apologize if it comes across as rude.

 

[Tarheel]

Two things. One, it's "reply"; not "replay". Two, you could say, "I don't think, and that's a problem." That's kind of a weird thing to say, but it's a complete sentence.

I think you're barking up the wrong tree.

 

[Tarheel]

You could also say:

I don't think that's a problem.

 

[Skrej]

If you're worried about using commas correctly in English, then I'd suggest you do some internet searches on "comma use in English". Be forewarned - this is a pretty broad subject.

I'd also suggest stop making grammatical comparisons to Polish to think in English. The two languages seem to handle commas quite differently, so if you're worried about usage in English, focus on English comma rules. I'll use a few of your examples to contrast some of the differences.

In Polish one is suppose to separate every valid sentence whit comma. "I think” and "This is not a problem” are both valid sentences. I dislike my writing for that reason, it fells incomplete without commas.

This will lead to something called a 'comma splice' in English, where you try to join multiple independent clauses with nothing but a comma. This is a significant error in English writing. I see this from my Spanish-speaking students, because in Spanish it's not an issue, and is in fact encouraged. It sounds like there's a similar conflict between Polish and English in this regard.

I did find a workaround: some words can force comma.
"I bethink me, this is not a problem.”
Is my workaround valid, or does it change meaning of the sentence?

Certain types of words in English can require a comma (primarily subordinating and coordinating conjunctions), but it also depends on the order of the dependent and independent clauses, so it's not a "guaranteed' use of a comma.

Additionally, 'bethink' is not used in modern English. I doubt it's been used much for the last hundred and fifty years or so.

I am currently looking for replacement for "I want”. How can I put comma in this sentence thus, that it has the same meaning?
"I want it to be white.” → "I want, it to be white.”

You can't, in English. Forget about trying to find a workaround for this example in English.

I also have problem with "and”. In Polish, we do not put comma before "and”. It applies not to English: "The children love to play, and I like to let them go.”I do not understand why the comma is there.

'And' is a conjunction. In this sentence, it's more specifically a 'coordinating conjunction'. Comma use with coordinating conjunctions in English has a set of rules you'll need to read and study.

As you can see "and” is literally a comma: "The balls were blue, green and red.”

Here 'and' is simply separating items in a list (or series). There are again specific rules to learn governing the use of commas in series. A comma is optional after 'green' here - again an instance of the Oxford comma mentioned in post #2. This is more of a style question than a grammatical rule. Commas are only used if there are at least three items in the series.

Here are a couple of sites with information on using commas. These aren't necessarily the best sites or most comprehensive sites, nor do they likely cover all possible rules of comma use. They just happen to be the first few results that came up in my search. However, they're comprehensive enough to get you started.

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/punctuation/commas/extended_rules_for_commas.html
https://east.iu.edu/student-success/coursework/commas.html

Be aware you've picked a pretty broad subject. Feel free to post back with specific questions, but comma usage covers a lot of sub-areas - restrictive/non-restrictive clauses, independent & dependent clauses, series, addresses, dates, contrasted elements, direct & reported speech, and a lot more areas.

 

[emsr2d2]

emsr2d2, thank you for your replay reply.

If I write a complete sentence, then can I can use a comma?

I didn't say you could. Note the correct word order for a question.

I do not think this will work.
“I do not think this is a problem” → “I do not think, this is a problem.”

If you want the meaning you're expressing in the second sentence, you need a semi-colon or a full stop, not a comma.
I don't think; this is a problem.
I don't think. This is a problem.

I feel like the comma is changing the meaning of the sentence.

You can't change every instance of "of" to "o + apostrophe". I suspect you've got that from "o'clock" when telling the time. In general everyday English, that's the only time that contraction is used.

I said that I do not think no full stop here and then I said that this, in fact, is a problem. At this point, I am not sure if “I do not think” is a complete sentence.

"I do not think" is a complete sentence. As a learner, don't try to start sentences with "and" or "but".

I see no comma here that most of my errors are about missing “a” and “the“. I am aware of that no full stop here and I do understand why this is an error. But However, why did you not correct this the sentence below? sentence Why is it correct?
“I saw myself overusing commas.”

I didn't correct that because there's nothing wrong with it. What do you mean by "Why is it correct?"? It's correct because it's correct!

 

[jutfrank]

"I think this is not a problem.” → "I think, this is not a problem.”

"I think” and "This is not a problem” are both valid sentences.

Actually, no, the first part I think is not a valid sentence, which is precisely why a comma is not possible. Imagine that the word 'that' has been omitted:

I think that this is not a problem.

How can I put comma in this sentence thus, that it has the same meaning?
"I want it to be white.” → "I want, it to be white.”

You can't and you shouldn't anyway.

"The children love to play, and I like to let them go.”
I do not understand why the comma is there.

The comma signals to the reader to make a short pause.

 

[xXx_Antoni_xXx_PL]

If you want the meaning you're expressing in the second sentence, you need a semi-colon or a full stop, not a comma.
I don't think; this is a problem.
I don't think. This is a problem.

I think that I understand. Sentences below have the same meaning, but one of them is grammatically incorrect.
“I do not think this is a problem.”
“I do not think, this is a problem.”

Sentences below have different meaning, but both are grammatically correct.
“I do not think this is a problem.”
“I do not think; this is a problem.”

Am I right?

I didn't correct that because there's nothing wrong with it. What do you mean by "Why is it correct?"? It's correct because it's correct!

I thought that I did forget about “the”. I do not know why “the” is not required.
“I saw myself overusing commas.” → “I saw myself overusing the commas.”

If you're worried about using commas correctly in English, then I'd suggest you do some internet searches on "comma use in English". Be forewarned - this is a pretty broad subject.

OK, I will.

Additionally, 'bethink' is not used in modern English. I doubt it's been used much for the last hundred and fifty years or so.

One thing. Stop using "bethink" at all.

I prefer older words, because they are easier to translate.
“Ledwo mogę cię zobaczyć.” → “Scarce I can see you.”

It is very hard to translate sentence below.
“I can barley see you.”

You can't and you shouldn't anyway.

This is sad, but I think this is my answer.

 

[emsr2d2]

I think that I understand. The sentences below have the same meaning no comma here but one of them is grammatically incorrect.
“I do not think this is a problem.”
“I do not think, this is a problem.”

Yes. The first is correct. The second has incorrect punctuation, as I told you before. Instead of the comma, you can use either a semi-colon or a full stop.

The sentences below have a different meaning, but both are grammatically correct.
“I do not think this is a problem.”
“I do not think; this is a problem.”

Yes.

Am I right?

Yes.

I thought that I did forget about I had forgotten a “the”. I do not know why “the” is not required in the following sentence.
“I saw myself overusing commas.” → “I saw myself overusing the commas.”

You don't need an article there because you're talking generally about your comma usage, not about specific commas that have already been mentioned.

I prefer older words, because they are easier to translate.
“Ledwo mogę cię zobaczyć.” → “Scarce I can see you.”

That's not going to help you in your English studies. You need to learn modern, up-to-date English.

It is very hard to translate sentence below.
“I can barley see you.”

I suspect you mean "barely" because "barley" is a type of wheat.
Regardless of how easy or otherwise it is, you'll hear native speakers say "I can barely see you" but you'll never hear one say "Scarce I can see you". It's completely ungrammatical as well as sounding as if it's from the 19th century or earlier.

 

[Skrej]

I think that I understand. Sentences below have the same meaning, but one of them is grammatically incorrect.
“I do not think this is a problem.”
“I do not think, this is a problem.”

As mentioned in the post above, both are the second one is ungrammatical. The reason is that the second sentence is an example of that comma splice error I mentioned earlier. You have two independent clauses joined by nothing but a comma. You cannot do this in English.

I prefer older words, because they are easier to translate.
“Ledwo mogę cię zobaczyć.” → “Scarce I can see you.”

They may be easier to translate, but fewer people will understand them once you've translated them. You're trading ease in translation for comprehension in the target language - a poor trade, in my opinion. People no longer speak, read or write like Shakespeare or Dickens in this day and age.

"Scarce can I see thee, for yonder veil draws nigh whilst dimming twilight of final sight."

*edit: corrected error about grammatical sentences

 

[xXx_Antoni_xXx_PL]

They may be easier to translate, but fewer people will understand them once you've translated them. You're trading ease in translation for comprehension in the target language - a poor trade, in my opinion. People no longer speak, read or write like Shakespeare or Dickens in this day and age.

"Scarce can I see thee, for yonder veil draws nigh whilst dimming twilight of final sight."

I agree; Shakespeare’s books are too old, but what about Divine Comedy? I am reading translation from nineteenth century (Henry Francis Cary). After I translate every word the book reads very similar Polish. More modern English is less similar to Polish, but it, at least for now, is easier to read for me, for there are fewer worlds I need to translate.

It is not that hard to read Polish books from nineteenth century. The main issue is understanding customs. For example: Polish greeting is “Good day.”, but in the book the greeting is “Praised be Jesus Christ!”. I think that native English speakers will have the same issue with older English books. The language itself is understandable.

 

[Tarheel]

**would

 

[emsr2d2]

**would

@Tarheel, what on earth does that refer to? There's nothing for the asterisks to be connected to and you haven't quoted a previous post to show where this correction is supposed to fit. We're not mind readers!

 

[Tarheel]

I think that native English speakers will have the same issue with older English books.

I think that native English speakers would have the same issue with older English books.

 

[GJNavigator]

I used to do the same. What helped me was reading my sentences out loud — if I naturally pause, I keep the comma; if not, I remove it.

 

[PeterCW]

I used to do the same. What helped me was reading my sentences out loud — if I naturally pause, I keep the comma; if not, I remove it.

That is essentially how I was taught to write as a child.

 

[xXx_Antoni_xXx_PL]

I used to do the same. What helped me was reading my sentences out loud — if I naturally pause, I keep the comma; if not, I remove it.

Thanks for the replay, but this thread is old now. During the meanwhile, I have already found my answer: Polish and English punctuation are alike. If I learn Polish punctuation better, then I will know English punctuation better. In English, they just prefer sentence structure without a comma, but, as I found out, I can write Polish sentences without a comma also. The sentence below has not a comma, but I can change it after the Polish manner:
I saw a car of blue colour.
I saw a car, which was blue.

Now, I can modify the same sentence in Polish, so it has and has not a comma.