Introduction
There are some general rules which you can apply when using the comma.
However, you will find that in English there are many other ways to use the comma to add to the meaning of a sentence or to emphasise an item, point or meaning.
Although we are often taught that commas are used to help us add 'breathing spaces' to sentences they are, in fact, more accurately used to organise blocks of thought or logical groupings. Most people will now use commas to ensure that meaning is clear and, despite grammatical
rules, will drop the comma if their meaning is retained in the sentence.
Using
A. Using the comma to separate phrases, words, or clauses in lists
1. a series of phrases or clauses
- On my birthday I went to the cinema, ate dinner in a restaurant, and went dancing.
- The car smashed into the wall, flipped onto its roof, slid along the road, and finally stopped against a tree.
2. a series of nouns
- The meal consisted of soup, fish, chicken, dessert and coffee.
3. a series of adjectives
- She was young, beautiful, kind, and intelligent.
Note: if an
adjective is modifying another adjective you
do not separate them with a
comma.
- She wore a bright red shirt.
4. a series of verbs
- Tony ran towards me, fell, yelled, and fainted.
5. Commas in Dates
When writing a date in month-day-year format, set off the year with commas.
- July 4, 1776, was an important day in American history. I was born on Sunday, May 12, 1968.
B. Using the comma to enclose insertions or comments. The comma is placed on either side of the insertion.
- China, one of the most powerful nations on Earth, has a huge population.
C. Use the comma to mark off a participial phrase
- Hearing that her father was in hospital, Jane left work immediately.
D. Use the comma in 'tag questions'
- She lives in Paris, doesn't she?
- We haven't met, have we?
E. Use to mark off interjections like 'please', 'thank you', 'yes', and 'no'
- Yes, I will stay a little longer, thank you.
General notes:
1. A comma should not separate a subject from its verb.
My friend Cleo, is a wonderful singer. (Incorrect)- My friend Cleo is a wonderful singer.
Navigating through snow, sleet, wind, and darkness, is a miserable way to travel.(Incorrect)- Navigating through snow, sleet, wind, and darkness is a miserable way to travel.
2. Don’t separate two nouns that appear together as a compound subject or compound object.
Cleo, and her band will be playing at Dockside Diner next Friday. (Incorrect)- Cleo and her band will be playing at Dockside Diner next Friday.
Cleo will wear a sparkly red blazer, and high heels. (Incorrect)- Cleo will wear a sparkly red blazer and high heels.
3. Comma Before And
When you have a list that contains only two items, don’t use a comma before the and.
My dog Charlie is cute, and smart. (Incorrect)- My dog Charlie is cute and smart.
Cleo’s favorite activities are singing on stage, and relaxing in the sunshine. (Incorrect)- Cleo’s favorite activities are singing on stage and relaxing in the sunshine.
When you have a list that contains more than two elements, use commas to separate them.
Julie loves ice cream books and kittens. (Incorrect)- Julie loves ice cream, books, and kittens.
- Julie loves ice cream, books and kittens.
The comma before the and in a list of three or more items is optional.
4. Misplacing a comma can lose friends!
Putting a comma in the wrong place can lead to a sentence with a completely different meaning, look at these two examples:
- I detest liars like you, I believe that honesty is the best policy. = I detest you because you are a liar.
- I detest liars, like you, I believe that honesty is the best policy. = You and I both detest liars.