Punctuation: Uses of Comma
What is a comma?
While a full-stop ends a sentence, a comma indicates a smaller break. Some writers think of a
comma as a soft pause—a punctuation mark that separates words, clauses, or ideas within a
sentence.
When to use a comma?
Commas have quite a few uses in English:
1. Separating items in a list of three or more
When you have a list that contains more than two elements, use commas to separate them.
Incorrect: Julie loves ice cream books and kittens.
Correct: Julie loves ice cream, books, and kittens. [British English]
Correct: Julie loves ice cream, books and kittens. [American English]
(The comma before the and in a list of three or more items is optional.)
2. Comma with ‘but’
Use a comma before the coordinating conjunction but if it is joining two independent clauses:
Incorrect: Cleo is a good singer but she’s an even better dancer.
Correct: Cleo is a good singer, but she’s an even better dancer.
If but is not joining two independent clauses, leave the comma out.
Incorrect: My teacher is tough, but fair.
Correct: My teacher is tough but fair.
3. Comma with introductory phrase
A comma normally follows a participial phrase that introduces a sentence:
Correct: Grabbing her umbrella, Kate raced out of the house.
Correct: Confused by her sister’s sudden change in mood, Jill stayed quiet.
When an adverbial phrase begins a sentence, it’s often followed by a comma, but it doesn’t have
to be, especially if it’s short. As a rule of thumb, if the phrase is longer than about four words,
use a comma. You can also use a comma after a shorter phrase when you want to emphasize it
or add a pause for literary effect.
Correct: After the show, Cleo will be signing autographs.
Correct: Behind the building, there is enough space to park two limousines.
Correct: Without knowing why, I crossed the room and looked out the window.
Correct: In 1816, life was very different.
Correct: Suddenly, a frightened black cat sprang from the shadows.
But if there is a chance of misreading the sentence, use the comma:
Incorrect: Before eating the family says grace.
Correct: Before eating, the family says grace.
Incorrect: Let’s eat Grandma.
Correct: Let’s eat, Grandma.
4. Commas with quotation marks
In American English, commas always go before closing quotation marks.
American English: “Pass me that thesaurus,” said Matthew.
British English: ‘Pass me that thesaurus’, said Matthew.
American English: “If you knew what was good for you, you’d finish that essay right
now,” my roommate said.
British English: ‘If you knew what was good for you, you’d finish that essay right now’, my
roommate said.
American English: “We’re going down to the soup kitchen to help serve dinner,” her
mother called.
British English: ‘We’re going down to the soup kitchen to help serve dinner’, her mother
called.
In British English, put the comma after the closing quotation mark. (Furthermore, British English
tends to use single quotes rather than double quotation marks.)
5. Setting apart question tags
A question tag is a word or short phrase that is added to the end of a statement to turn it into a
question. Writers often use question tags to encourage readers to agree with them. A question
tag should be preceded by a comma.
Incorrect: These willow trees are beautiful aren’t they?
Correct: These willow trees are beautiful, aren’t they?
Incorrect: You didn’t actually write a 600-page vampire romance novel did you?
Correct: You didn’t actually write a 600-page vampire romance novel, did you?
Incorrect: I know right?
Correct: I know, right?