Coma and comma are two words that are pronounced similarly and spelled similarly, but have two very different meanings. We will look at the definitions of coma and comma, where the words come from and some examples of their use in sentences.
A coma is is a deep state of unconsciousness from which the person cannot be aroused. Comas may be caused by injury or illness. Sometimes, the word coma is used humorously as a non-literal description of a state of extreme lethargy or sleepiness. For this meaning of coma as a literal or figurative unconscious state, the plural form is comas. A secondary meaning of coma is the gas cloud around the frozen head of a comet. For this meaning of coma, the plural form is comae. Coma as used to mean a deep state of unconsciousness is derived from the Greek word koma, which means deep sleep. The word coma used to describe the gas cloud around a comet comes from the Greek word kome which means hair on the head.
A comma is a punctuation mark (,) that indicates a pause in speech. A comma is used to separate a clause or phrase or in a list. The word comma is derived from the Greek word komma which means a piece that is cut off.
Examples
A NEW mum miraculously survived after being struck down with a rare skin condition and falling into a coma days after giving birth to her daughter. (The Sun)
A woman woke up from an eight-month coma to reveal that her devoted boyfriend — hailed as a saint for staying by her side — was the one who caused her injuries in the first place. (The New York Post)
The coma acts like the comet’s atmosphere — it’s formed by the sun heating up ice on the surface that then sublimates into a gas and collects into a cloud around the comet. (The Business Insider)