What is the purpose of a delimiter comma?

The purpose of a delimiter comma is primarily to set apart elements in a sentence. Delimiter commas help clarify meaning by separating items in a list, indicating pauses, or distinguishing different ideas or clauses. For instance, in a list of items like "apples, oranges, and bananas," the commas define each individual element clearly. This usage is essential for readability and ensuring that the intended meaning is conveyed without confusion.

Other options refer to different grammatical functions. For example, connecting independent clauses typically involves using a coordinating conjunction along with a comma, while joining a subject and a verb does not require a comma and instead focuses on sentence structure. Indicating a pause in speech can be a function of a comma, but this is a broader interpretation of its use, as the primary role of a delimiter comma is to separate elements clearly.