--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The proper use of commas is often more…" description: "\"The proper use of commas is often more art than science.\" — Bill Walsh" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca7/bill-walsh-8609_art_the-proper-use-of-commas-is-often-more-a_1959821.jpg" --- # The proper use of commas is often more art than science. ![“The proper use of commas is often more art than science.” quote by Bill Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca7/bill-walsh-8609_art_the-proper-use-of-commas-is-often-more-a_1959821.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca7/bill-walsh-8609_art_the-proper-use-of-commas-is-often-more-a_1959821.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca7/bill-walsh-8609_art_the-proper-use-of-commas-is-often-more-a_1959821.jpg) > “The proper use of commas is often more art than science.” [Bill Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walsh/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He emphasizes that punctuation, especially commas, requires creative judgment beyond strict rules. **In simple terms:** Comma usage is more art than science. Key Takeaway Practice flexibility when editing text. Themes writing grammar communication Mood thoughtful educational Type instructional philosophical When to use this quote - editing documents - teaching writing - authoring articles Key Concepts linguistics style clarity Questions to Reflect On - When should you prioritize clarity over style? - How does audience affect punctuation choices? A Different Perspective Strict rules can stifle expression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) ## Related quotes > [The rule is: dont use commas like a stupid person. I mean it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynne-truss/the-rule-is-dont-use-commas-like-a-stupid-person-i-mean-it/) [Lynne Truss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynne-truss/) > [I like to use as few commas as possible so that sentences will go down in one swallow without touching the sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-frankau/i-like-to-use-as-few-commas-as-possible-so-that-sentences-will-go/) Pamela Frankau > [The rule is: don’t use commas like a stupid person. I mean it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynne-truss/the-rule-is-don-t-use-commas-like-a-stupid-person-i-mean-it/) [Lynne Truss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynne-truss/) > [Speak and live in simple sentences. Bring closure -- put a period to -- those experiences that you don't want to carry on forever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/speak-and-live-in-simple-sentences-bring-closure-put-a-period-to/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [On occasion I omit commas. On occasion, I use them. (The more you know about English, the less you're likely to think there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/on-occasion-i-omit-commas-on-occasion-i-use-them-the-more-you-know/) [Bill Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walsh/) > [“Tea's proper use is to amuse the idle, and relax the studious, and dilute the full meals of those who cannot use exercise, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/tea-s-proper-use-is-to-amuse-the-idle-and-relax-the-studious-and/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [I would define the proper use of power as something that creates happiness for yourself and others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/i-would-define-the-proper-use-of-power-as-something-that-creates/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I use the word nursing for want of a better. It has been limited to signify little more than the administration of medicines and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-nightingale/i-use-the-word-nursing-for-want-of-a-better-it-has-been-limited-to/) [Florence Nightingale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-nightingale/) > [Some degree of abuse is inseparable from the proper use of everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/some-degree-of-abuse-is-inseparable-from-the-proper-use-of-everything/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [Tea's proper use is to amuse the idle, and relax the studious, and dilute the full meals of those who cannot use exercise, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/tea-s-proper-use-is-to-amuse-the-idle-and-relax-the-studious-and-2/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“You mean that's your idea of desire, with all those commas?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-palmer/you-mean-that-s-your-idea-of-desire-with-all-those-commas/) [Michael Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-palmer/) > [“I tried to put the displacement between parenthesis, to put a last period in a long sentence of the sadness of history, personal and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mourid-barghouti/i-tried-to-put-the-displacement-between-parenthesis-to-put-a-last/) [Mourid Barghouti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mourid-barghouti/) > [“...my war on commas. They are a pestilence. They must be stopped.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-krauthammer/my-war-on-commas-they-are-a-pestilence-they-must-be-stopped/) [Charles Krauthammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-krauthammer/) > [Chicken pot pie sounds like such a good idea. If you add commas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/chicken-pot-pie-sounds-like-such-a-good-idea-if-you-add-commas/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Anyone who finds himself putting down several commas close to one another should reflect that he is making himself disagreeable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-watson-fowler/anyone-who-finds-himself-putting-down-several-commas-close-to-one/) [Henry Watson Fowler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-watson-fowler/) ## More by Bill Walsh > [Instilling the right culture almost always takes time. And inevitably there will be some who balk against your standards. But, you must have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/instilling-the-right-culture-almost-always-takes-time-and-inevitably/) [Bill Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walsh/) > [Calculated risks are part of what you do, but the idea that something completely crazy will work just because it's completely crazy is completely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/calculated-risks-are-part-of-what-you-do-but-the-idea-that-something/) [Bill Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walsh/) > [A harsh reality of newspaper editing is that the deadlines don't allow for the polish that you expect in books or even magazines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/a-harsh-reality-of-newspaper-editing-is-that-the-deadlines-don-t/) [Bill Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walsh/) > [All successful leaders know where we want to go, figure out a way we believe will get the organization there, and then move forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/all-successful-leaders-know-where-we-want-to-go-figure-out-a-way-we/) [Bill Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walsh/) > [The ability to help the people around me self-actualize their goals underlines the single aspect of my abilities and the label that I value…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/the-ability-to-help-the-people-around-me-self-actualize-their-goals/) [Bill Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walsh/) > [The running game in pro football has gotten so boring. There's just four or five plays they can run. I think the whole thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/the-running-game-in-pro-football-has-gotten-so-boring-there-s-just/) [Bill Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walsh/) > [Everybody isn't everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/everybody-isn-t-everybody/) [Bill Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walsh/) > [You can only succeed when people are communicating, not just from the top down, but in complete interchange. Communication comes from fighting off my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/you-can-only-succeed-when-people-are-communicating-not-just-from-the/) [Bill Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walsh/) > [Your enthusiasm becomes their enthusiasm; your lukewarm presentation becomes their lukewarm interest in what you're offering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/your-enthusiasm-becomes-their-enthusiasm-your-lukewarm-presentation/) [Bill Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walsh/) > [Victory is produced by and belongs to all. Winning a Super Bowl results from you whole team not only doing their individual jobs but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/victory-is-produced-by-and-belongs-to-all-winning-a-super-bowl/) [Bill Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walsh/) > [One of the common traits of outstanding performers-coaches, athletes, managers, sales representatives, executives, and others who face a daily up/down, win/lose accounting system-is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/one-of-the-common-traits-of-outstanding-performers-coaches-athletes/) [Bill Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walsh/) > [Consistent motivation usually comes from a consuming desire to be able to perform at your best under pressure, namely, the pressure produced by tough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/consistent-motivation-usually-comes-from-a-consuming-desire-to-be/) [Bill Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walsh/) > [Invest in great relationships, they will pay a lifetime of dividends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/invest-in-great-relationships-they-will-pay-a-lifetime-of-dividends/) [Bill Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walsh/) > [There is a weird phenomenon where technology seems to be getting dumber in some ways as it gets smarter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/there-is-a-weird-phenomenon-where-technology-seems-to-be-getting/) [Bill Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walsh/) > [Concentrate on what will produce results rather than on the results, the process rather than the prize.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/concentrate-on-what-will-produce-results-rather-than-on-the-results/) [Bill Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walsh/) [Explore all 79 Bill Walsh quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walsh/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The proper use of commas is often more art than science.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bill Walsh" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/the-proper-use-of-commas-is-often-more-art-than-science/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/the-proper-use-of-commas-is-often-more-art-than-science/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca7/bill-walsh-8609_art_the-proper-use-of-commas-is-often-more-a_1959821.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca7/bill-walsh-8609_art_the-proper-use-of-commas-is-often-more-a_1959821.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca7/bill-walsh-8609_art_the-proper-use-of-commas-is-often-more-a_1959821.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The proper use of commas is often more art than science.” — Bill Walsh", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bill Walsh", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-walsh/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The proper use of commas is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/the-proper-use-of-commas-is-often-more-art-than-science/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-walsh/the-proper-use-of-commas-is-often-more-art-than-science/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```