Confusing Words: Coma (noun) and Comma (noun)
Meaning:
Coma (a prolonged state of deep unconsciousness, caused especially by severe injury or illness.)
Comma (a punctuation mark (,) indicating a pause between parts of a sentence or separating items in a list.)
Coma vs Comma Clarification: Coma and comma are two different words with different meanings and functions
Coma vs Comma – What is the Difference, Definition & meaning?
Coma and comma are just one-letter apart. Though, they are very close in terms of pronunciation but these words are not interchangeable. Their meanings are totally different from each other.
Let me define these terms one by one. In this way, you will come to know about their functions as well.
Coma
Coma is used as a noun within a sentence. It is used to refer a person’s state of unconsciousness who is not able to wake up. This state is caused by a severe damage or injury to the brain.
1. The doctors said that she went into a coma just after the dangerous accident.
2. The touching moment a 21-month-old boy fighting bacterial meningitis smiles for the first time since coming out a two-week coma was caught on camera. (Mirror)
Coma can also be used to refer a state of a person who is in extreme sleepiness or laziness.
For example,
1. After the whole day of project preparation, I feel like I was in a coma.
2. Beijing coma took me 10 years to finish. (Ma Jian)
Comma
Comma is used as a noun within a sentence. It is, in fact, a punctuation mark, used for a pause or an interval within a sentence. Commas are very important for a strong sentence structure but you have to be careful enough in using them. Too many of commas in a sentence can create confusion among readers.
Read the example below to check the use of the word ‘comma’.
1. If you want to make a list of your items within a sentence, use commas to separate each item.
Now, read the following sentences to see the use of comma (,) grammatically correct.
1. The tablet might also come with support for Samsung’s Air Command, a feature that lets you use the S Pen to select on-screen apps, digitally write on the display, and connect to Samsung Notes. (Laptop Mag)
2. The concept you have about me won’t change who I am, but it can change my concept about you. (Dr. House)
Check Out: What Is a Comma Splice?
What Did You Learn?
Coma and comma are two different words with different meanings and functions. So, it is very important to keep them apart and to be very careful with word choice. Coma and comma are both nouns but coma is a medical term whereas, comma is a punctuation mark that is very important for sentence making. Coma is used to refer a person’s state of unconsciousness.