Which punctuation mark is used to indicate a pause or break in a sentence?

The comma is used to indicate a pause or break in a sentence, making it the correct choice in this context. It serves various purposes, such as separating items in a list, linking independent clauses with a conjunction, or providing a natural pause for clarity in sentence structure. This ability to create pauses is essential in guiding readers through the flow of sentences and clarifying meaning.

For instance, in a sentence like, "I wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining," the comma clearly indicates where the reader should pause. This helps in conveying the relationship between the two independent clauses without creating confusion.

Other punctuation marks, such as periods, semicolons, and exclamation marks, serve different functions. A period signals the end of a statement, a semicolon connects closely related independent clauses without the use of a conjunction, and an exclamation mark conveys strong emotion or emphasis but does not indicate a pause in the way a comma does. Therefore, the comma is the most appropriate punctuation mark for indicating a pause or break in a sentence.