Punctuation Tips - How to Use Commas

Punctuation Tips: How to Use Commas

For such a common punctuation mark, commas cause a lot of confusion. But there are some rules for how commas should be used.

These rules aren’t rigid: It’s a matter of style to some degree, and the important thing is that your writing is clear and easy to read. However, if you use commas along the following lines, you’ll be on the right track!

1. Commas in Lists

One important use of commas is to separate items in a list of three or more things. US English typically uses a serial comma before the final item:

My favorite bands are Toto, ELO, and REO Speedwagon.

In British English, however, the serial comma is often omitted.

2. After Introductory Words or Clauses

A comma should be used to separate introductory words or phrases from the main clause in a sentence. These tend to be terms or phrases that modify or frame the sentence:

As a solo artist, Kenny Loggins is best known for the song “Footloose.”

Few things are more '80s than the Loggins. (Image: Surian Soosay/flickr)
Few things are more ’80s than the Loggins.
(Image: Surian Soosay/flickr)

3. After a Coordinating Conjunction

When joining two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction (i.e., “and,” “but,” “for,” “nor,” “or,” “so,” or “yet”), they should be separated with a comma:

I have every Boz Scaggs album, but I don’t have any albums by the Steve Miller Band.

This only applies when linking clauses that could work as sentences by themselves, though, not whenever a coordinating conjunction is used.

4. Parenthetical Commas

Parenthetical commas set apart non-essential information in a sentence. This often occurs mid-sentence:

Daryl Hall, best known as one half of Hall & Oates, has released several solo albums.

But parenthetical information can also come at the end of a sentence:

“Rickrolling” is named after Rick Astley, whose song “Never Gonna Give You Up” was a number one hit in 25 countries.

5. Setting Apart a Contrast

When adding a contrast at the end of a sentence, set it apart with a comma:

The Eagles played classic rock, not heavy metal.

You can't play heavy metal sitting down. (Photo: Rachel Kramer/wikimedia)
You can’t play heavy metal sitting down.
(Photo: Rachel Kramer/wikimedia)

6. Separating Coordinate Adjectives

When using multiple adjectives to modify a single noun, you should separate coordinate adjectives with commas. Commas aren’t required when adjectives aren’t coordinate.

Coordinate adjectives are equally-weighted in how they modify a noun. You can test whether adjectives are coordinate by either changing their order or adding “and” between them:

Find this useful?

Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.

Pat Benatar is a talented, successful musician.

Pat Benatar is a successful, talented musician.

Pat Benatar is a successful and talented musician.

These all sound okay because “successful” and “talented” are coordinate adjectives.

If we do the same thing with adjectives that aren’t coordinate (e.g., “successful” and “American”), the sentences sound wrong:

Pat Benatar is a successful American musician. – Correct

Pat Benatar is an American successful musician. – Incorrect

Pat Benatar is a successful and American musician. – Incorrect

This is because “American” is more important to the identity of the noun in this sentence.

7. Introducing a Quotation

A comma is used to introduce a quotation when it follows from the rest of a sentence, particularly after terms like “said” or “wrote”:

Jon Bon Jovi said, “Success is falling nine times and getting up ten.”

However, no comma is needed when the quote follows the word “that”:

Jon Bon Jovi said that “Success is falling nine times and getting up ten.”

Here seen about to swallow a microphone. (Photo: Artur Bogdanski/wikimedia)
Here seen about to swallow a microphone.
(Photo: Artur Bogdanski/wikimedia)

8. Direct Address

Finally, when something is directly addressed to someone else, we separate the name of the addressee from the main statement with a comma:

Before: Derek, are you listening to Def Leppard?

After: Are you listening to Def Leppard, Derek?

This particularly applies when writing dialogue, so it’s relevant when writing fiction.

Upload a document

More Writing Tips?

6th August 2024

Free Email Newsletter Template

Promoting a brand means sharing valuable insights to connect more deeply with your audience, and...

24th July 2024

How to Write a Nonprofit Grant Proposal

If you’re seeking funding to support your charitable endeavors as a nonprofit organization, you’ll need...

14th May 2024

How to Use Infographics to Boost Your Presentation

Is your content getting noticed? Capturing and maintaining an audience’s attention is a challenge when...

10th May 2024

Why Interactive PDFs Are Better for Engagement

Are you looking to enhance engagement and captivate your audience through your professional documents? Interactive...

7th May 2024

Seven Key Strategies for Voice Search Optimization

Voice search optimization is rapidly shaping the digital landscape, requiring content professionals to adapt their...

Exit mobile version