Here's why:
* Short Pause: A comma signals a brief pause, often used to separate items in a list, clauses in a sentence, or to introduce a phrase.
* Different Purposes: While the comma primarily marks pause, it also has other roles, like indicating a slight change in thought or separating a direct address.
Other punctuation marks can also indicate pauses, but they have different meanings and create different lengths of pause:
* Semicolon (;): A longer pause than a comma, often used between independent clauses that are closely related.
* Colon (:): Marks a longer pause than a semicolon and introduces a list, explanation, or quotation.
* Dash (-): Can indicate a sudden break in thought, a dramatic pause, or an interruption.
Let me know if you have any other punctuation questions!