Which punctuation mark can create a pause in a sentence?

A comma is a punctuation mark that can create a pause in a sentence, allowing for a brief interruption in the flow of thought. This pause can help clarify meaning, separate items in a list, or provide a natural break before continuing with additional information. For instance, in the sentence "After dinner, we went for a walk," the comma after "dinner" signals a momentary pause, making it easier to understand the structure of the sentence.

While other punctuation marks such as the period, semicolon, and dash can also affect sentence rhythm and structure, they often serve different purposes. A period typically indicates a full stop, signaling the end of a thought rather than a pause within a sentence. A semicolon connects closely related ideas, creating a longer pause than a comma but still linking two independent clauses. A dash, on the other hand, can create a more pronounced break or interruption, often adding emphasis rather than merely pausing. Each punctuation mark serves its unique function, but in terms of creating a simple pause, the comma is the most commonly used.