Commas are tricky things, especially when subordinates and conjunctions are involved. If you can remember a few basic rules, a simple law of physics, and some common scenarios, you will be able to use commas correctly.
逗號是很難處理的玩意， 特別當從屬連接詞和連接詞被牽扯在內時。如果你能記得幾個基本規則、一條簡單的物理定律，以及一些常見情形，你將能夠正確地使用逗號。
I like to think of the different parts of our sentence as characters. Let's meet a few of them: the tiny conjunctions, the mighty subordinates, and the clever comma.
我喜歡將我們句子裡的不同部分想成各種角色。讓我們來認識他們其中幾位：小個子的連接詞、孔武有力的從屬連接詞，以及聰明的逗號。
Conjunctions are small and nimble. They are words that connect clauses, words, and phrases. You can easily remember the conjunctions by remembering the acronym FANBOYS. The conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Because they are so small, more often than not, they require the help of a comma, but not always.
連接詞又小又靈活。他們是連接子句、單字，以及片語的字。你可以藉由記住字首縮寫 FANBOYS 來輕鬆記住連接詞。連接詞們是：由於、而且、也不、但是、或者、可是、所以。因為他們是如此小，他們常常需要一個逗號的幫忙，但並非每次都需要。
Subordinates, on the other hand, are the WWE heavyweight champions of sentences. They are words that connect two unequal things: dependent and independent clauses. Subordinates make it very clear what is being prioritized in the sentence. Commonly used subordinates are although, because, before, however, unless, and even though. Because subordinates are all about power, they can do a lot of heavy lifting by themselves. But, of course, sometimes even the strongest among us needs some help from our clever friends.
從屬連接詞，就另一方面來看，是句子的世界重量級冠軍。他們是連接兩個不對等事物的字：也就是連接從屬和獨立子句。從屬連接詞將句子中被優先處理的事物清楚表明出來。常用的從屬連接詞是：雖然、因為、在...之前、然而、除非，以及即使。因為從屬連接詞全身是力量，他們能夠靠自己做很多提重物的動作。但，當然，有時即便是我們之中最強壯的人也需要來自我們聰明朋友的一些協助。
Because our clever comma is so nice, she often roams her neighborhood looking for some community service to do. Today, as soon as she leaves her house, she sees a subordinate lifting the weight of two complete sentences, one on each arm.
因為我們聰明的逗號是如此好心，她常常在她的鄰里街坊閒逛，找些社區服務來做。今天，當她一離開她的房子，她就看到一個從屬連接詞抬起兩個完整句子的重量，一隻手臂抬一個。
Bartheleme loves engaging in political debate even though he usually loses.
Bartheleme 熱愛參與政治辯論，即便他通常都輸。
The comma asks the subordinate if he needs help. Well, we know that subordinates are the WWE heavyweight champions of sentences. They can easily hold the weight of these two complete sentences, because they are distributed evenly on both arms. So, when the comma asks if it can help, the subordinate is appalled at the idea of needing assistance.
逗號問從屬連接詞他需不需要幫忙。嗯，我們都知道從屬連接詞是句子的世界重量級冠軍。他們能輕鬆地支撐這兩個完整句子的重量，因為那兩個句子是平均被分配在兩隻手臂上。因此，當逗號詢問它是否可以幫忙時，從屬連接詞對需要協助這主意感到很震驚。
No, thanks. Maybe next time.
不，謝了。也許下次吧。
So the comma continues on. Soon, she sees a couple of subordinates attempting to lift the weight of sentences directly in front of themselves.
逗號繼續往前。不久，她看到幾個從屬連接詞試著要在他們自己正前方抬起許多句子的重量。
Even though Bartheleme loves to sing, he never sings in front of others.
即使 Bartheleme 熱愛歌唱，他從未在他人面前開口唱歌。
The comma asks the subordinates if they need help. They might not want to admit it, but this time the subordinates do need help. Complete sentences weigh quite a bit. Simple physics tells us that it's easier to balance heavy objects if the weight is evenly distributed.
逗號問從屬連接詞他們需不需要幫忙。他們或許不大想承認，但這次從屬連接詞們確實需要幫忙。完整句子們有點太重了。基礎物理告訴我們如果重量被平均分佈時，要保持重物的平衡就容易多了。
So, while the subordinates are quite capable of balancing two complete sentences when carrying the weight on both sides, they are having trouble picking just one up. The comma rushes over to help the struggling subordinates, but how will she help? When subordinates begin sentences, the comma will place herself directly after the first thought or complete sentence.
因此，當兩端都拿著重物時，從屬連接詞們就滿能夠維持兩個完整句子的平衡，但他們在只要拿起一個重物時就有困難了。 逗號匆匆跑過去幫忙使勁掙扎的從屬連接詞們，但她要如何幫忙呢？當從屬連接詞起頭句子時，逗號會將她自己擺在第一個想法或完整句子的正後面。
After helping the subordinates, our comma heroine continues on and spots a conjunction holding the weight of two complete sentences.
在幫了從屬連接詞後，我們的逗號女英雄繼續往前並看見了一個連接詞托著兩個完整句子的重量。
Bartheleme was accepted into the University of Chicago, and he is on the waitlist for Stanford University.
Bartheleme 被錄取進芝加哥大學， 而且他在史丹佛大學的候補名單上。
The comma asks the conjunction if he needs help. Of course he does. Hurry! The comma rushes and places itself before the conjunction. Fanboys aren't as militant as subordinates, for this reason, the commas don't have to fall in line behind the fanboys. Fanboys are courteous creatures. They allow the comma to go ahead of them.
逗號問連接詞他需不需要幫忙。他當然需要啊。快點!逗號趕緊跑去，並且將它自己放到連接詞的前面。連接詞男孩們不像從屬連接詞一樣好鬥，因為這理由，逗號不需要排到連接詞男孩後面。連接詞男孩們是有禮的傢伙。他們允許逗號到他們前面。
Helping others is hard work. On her way home, our comma sees a conjunction holding up the weight of a complete sentence and a fragment sentence.
幫助別人是辛苦的工作。在她回家的路上，我們的逗號看見一個連接詞抬起一個完整句子以及一個不完整句子的重量。
Bartheleme is going to major in molecular biology or interpretive dance.
Bartheleme 將主修分子生物學或現代形意舞。
The now exhausted comma asks the conjunction if he needs help lifting the item. This is one of the rare occasions, where conjunction doesn't need the help of a comma. The conjunction assures the comma that help isn't needed, which is good for the comma, because by now, all it wants to do is go home and rest up for another day of vigilant sentence constructing.
現在已經精疲力竭的逗號問連接詞他需不需要人幫忙舉起那物品。這是其中一個罕見的狀況，這個狀況下連接詞不需要一個逗號的幫忙。連接詞向逗號保證不需要幫忙，這對逗號來說好極了，因為現在，它唯一想做的就是回家，然後為另一個兢兢業業架構句子的日子來作充分休息。
- 「大多數時候」- More Often Than Not
Because they are so small, more often than not, they require the help of a comma, but not always.
因為他們是如此小，他們常常需要一個逗號的幫忙，但並非每次都需要。 - 「另一方面」- On The Other Hand
Subordinates, on the other hand, are the WWE heavyweight champions of sentences.
從屬連接詞，就另一方面來看，是句子的世界重量級冠軍。 - 「一...就」- As Soon As
Today, as soon as she leaves her house, she sees a subordinate lifting the weight of two complete sentences, one on each arm.
今天，當她一離開她的房子，她就看到一個從屬連接詞抬起兩個完整句子的重量，一隻手臂抬一個。 - 「參加、從事」- Engage In
Bartheleme loves engaging in political debate even though he usually loses.
Bartheleme 熱愛參與政治辯論，即便他通常都輸。 - 「相當多」- Quite A Bit
Complete sentences weigh quite a bit.
完整句子們有點太重了。 - 「主修」- Major In
Bartheleme is going to major in molecular biology or interpretive dance.
Bartheleme 將主修分子生物學或現代形意舞。 - 「充分休息」- Rest Up
...because by now, all it wants to do is go home and rest up for another day of vigilant sentence constructing.
...因為現在，它唯一想做的就是回家，然後為另一個兢兢業業架構句子的日子來作充分休息。
