Commas are tricky things, especially when subordinates and conjunctions are involved.
逗号的运用是很讲究技巧的，尤其是当从属关联词和连词也一并参与其中的时候。
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.
只要你记得一些基本的规则，一个简单的物理定律和一些常见的情况，你就可以正确的使用逗号了。
I like to think of the different parts of our sentence as characters.
我喜欢将句子的不同部分比作成不同的角色。
Let's meet a few of them: the tiny conjunctions, the mighty subordinates, and the clever comma.
让我们来会会他们中的几个吧：渺小的连词，力大无比的从属关联词，还有聪明的逗号。
Conjunctions are small and nimble. They are words that connect clauses, words, and phrases.
连词很小且机灵。他们连接从句、单词和短语。
You can easily remember the conjunctions by remembering the acronym FANBOYS.
你将可以轻松记住连词，只要记住首字母缩略词——星战男孩。
The conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
这些连词有for、and、nor、but、or、yet、so。
Because they're so small, more often than not, they require the help of a comma but not always.
因为他们太小了以至于常常他们需要一个逗号的帮助，但并非总是如此。
Subordinates, on the other hand, are the WWE heavyweight champions of sentences.
从属关联词是句子世界中的“职业举重比赛冠军“。
They are words that connect two unequal things, dependent and independent clauses.
他们能够连接两个不等同的事物：从句和主句。
Subordinates make it very clear what is being prioritized in a sentence.
从属关联词让人一下就看出来句子中的重点在哪里。
Commonly used subordinates are although, because, before, however, unless, and even though.
常见的从属关联词有although、because、before、however、unless以及even though。
Because subordinates are all about power, they can do a lot of heavy lifting by themselves.
因为从属关联词和”力量“有关他们自己就能完成很多举重的活。
But, of course, sometimes even the strongest among us needs some help from our clever friends.
但毫无疑问，即使是我们当中最强壮的从属关联词有时也需要来自我们聪明小伙伴的帮助。
Because our clever comma is so nice, she often roams her neighborhood looking for some community service to do.
因为我们的聪明的逗号十分的善解人意她经常在小区周边漫步寻找一些社区服务的机会。
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，她一离开家她就看到一个从属关联词正扛着两个完整句子手臂两边，一边一个。
Bartheleme loves engaging in political debate even though he usually loses.
巴塞尔姆钟情于政治争辩即使他经常失败。
The comma asks the subordinate if he needs help.
逗号便问从属关联词是否需要帮助。
Well, we know that subordinates are the WWE heavyweight champions of sentences.
正如我们所知，从属关联词们都是句子世界中的“职业举重比赛冠军”。
They can easily hold the weight of these two complete sentences because they are distributed evenly on both arms.
他们能够轻松地举起两个完整的句子因为句子的重量被均匀的分配在了一双手上。
So, when the comma asks if it can help, the subordinate is appalled at the idea of needing assistance.
所以，当逗号问及是否需要帮助的时候从属关联词诧异于他需要援助的想法。
No thanks, maybe next time! So, the comma continues on.
“不，谢谢，下次再说！”所以，逗号继续上路了。

Soon, she seems a couple of subordinates attempting to lift the weight of sentences directly in front of themselves.
不久，她看见了一些从属关联词试图举起放在他们面前的句子。
Even though Bartheleme loves to sing, he never sings in front of others.
即使巴塞尔姆爱唱歌，他从来没有在别人面前唱过。
The comma asks the subordinates if they need help. They might not want to admit it, but this time the subordinates do need help.
逗号问他们是否需要帮助。他们不想承认，但这次，从属关联词确实需要帮助。
Complete sentences weigh quite a bit.
完整的句子相当的重。
Simple physics tells us that it's easier to balance heavy objects if the weight is evenly distributed.
简单的物理定律告诉我们最简单的平衡重物的方法即是将重量均匀地分布。
So, while the subordinates are quite capable of balancing two complete sentences when carrying the weight on both sides, they're having trouble picking just one up.
所以，即使从属关联词有能力将两个完整的句子一边一句，平衡好后顺利举起，他们却很难单单举起一个句子。
The comma rushes over to help the struggling subordinates, but how will she help?
于是逗号冲了过去帮助苦苦挣扎的从属关联词，但她要怎么帮助从属关联词呢？
When subordinates begin sentences, the comma will place herself directly after the first thought or complete sentence.
当从属关联词开始举起句子时，逗号将自己直接放在第一个完整的句子后面。
After helping the subordinates, our comma heroine continues on and spots a conjunction holding the weight of two complete sentences.
在帮助了从属关联词之后，我们的英雄逗号继续上路了，又遇见了一个连词，肩负着两个完整的句子的重量。
Bartheleme was accepted into the University of Chicago, and he is on the waitlist for Stanford University.
巴塞尔姆日前被芝加哥大学录取并且在斯坦福大学的录取候选名单上也有他的名字。
The comma asks the conjunction if he needs help. Of course he does! Hurry!
逗号问连词是否需要帮助。他当然需要！急需！
The comma rushes and places itself before the conjunction.
于是逗号冲了过去，并将自己放在了连词的前面。
FANBOYS aren't as militant as subordinates. For this reason, the commas don't have to fall in line behind the fanboys.
连词不像从属关联词一样的好胜。由此，逗号也不用天天追在连词后面。
FANBOYS are courteous creatures. They allow the comma to go ahead of them. Helping others is hard work!
连词十分谦恭有礼。他们允许逗号走在他们前头。帮助他人是一份很艰巨的任务！
On her way home, our comma sees a conjunction holding up the weight of a complete sentence and a fragment sentence.
在她回家的路上，我们的逗号看见一个连词正举着一个完整的句子和一个句子的片段。
Bartheleme is going to major in molecular biology or interpretive dance.
巴塞尔姆将主修分子生物学或者形义舞。
The now-exhausted comma asks the conjunction if he needs help lifting the items.
于是精疲力竭的逗号问连词他是否需要她帮忙举起重物。
This is one of the rare occassions where a conjunction doesn't need the help of a comma.
这类情况比较少见，在这个情况下，连词不需要逗号的帮助。
The conjunction assures the comma that help isn't needed, which is good for the comma because by now,
于是连词向逗号保证他不需要帮助，这对逗号来说是件好事，因为到目前为止，
all it wants to do is go home and rest up for another day of vigilant sentence constructing.
逗号只想回家休息，准备第二天对句子构建的巡逻。