Everything English

Commas are one of the most widely used punctuation marks in written English. While some basic rules of comma usage may be rigid, there are contexts in a sentence when using a comma could be optional. Commas, nevertheless, are known to offer clarity to a sentence and therefore, must be used wherever appropriate.

Here is a broad categorization of Comma Rules:

• Commas, while listing items in a sentence.

Examples:

Johnny’s coffee estate also had cardamom, pepper, cinnamon and other cash crops.

He will spend his pocket money to buy clothes, books, shoes and also go watch a movie.

The award function was attended by film personalities, business tycoons, socialites, and sports personalities.

In the third example, a comma before “and” may be necessary to clearly distinguish between socialites and sports personalities as two separate sets of people.

• A comma, to link two independent clauses with conjunctions such as “but,” “and,” “or,” “yet,” “for,” “nor,” etc.

Examples:

My project was rejected, but I still think it deserved a chance.

Danny along with his family was supposed to land here two days ago, yet there is no sign of him.

• A comma, to replace “and” between 2 adjectives.

Examples:

The country has a frail, malnourished healthcare system.

The hot, humid Maldives will be the first casualty of global warming.

• A comma, before names and designations that are directly addressed.

Examples:

Dr. Smith, MD.

Don’t worry, Mrs. Annie, I will have your book published.

• A comma, between days of a month and year.

Example:

January 13, 2010.

• A comma, between cities, states, and the country.

Example:

The weather in Bangalore, India is just great.

• A comma, before beginning a quote.

Example:

The officer said, “Please take your seat.”

• A comma, after setting off an introductory word, or a phrase.

Examples:

Yes, my husband is a surgeon.

You see, all of us are remotely related to each other.

• Commas, after words like “Therefore,” “However,” etc.

Examples:

She was, however, the brightest student in class.

Nevertheless, that was the last resort.

• A comma, between contrasting sentences.

Example:

The judge overruled the contention of the prosecutor, not of the accused.

• A comma, before and after a set of words that interrupts the flow of the sentence but offer additional information in the sentence.

Examples:

The animals in the zoo, which seemed quite underfed, looked dull and weak.

You have, if you are aware, won the prize.

• A comma, after an adverbial clause in a sentence. An adverbial clause is a clause that functions as an adverb.

Example:

She stared into her PC, unsure of what was in store for her.

Sitting on the couch, little Jonny’s eyes were stuck to the television.

• A comma, after conditional clause or a comma after a weak/dependent clause leading to a strong clause of the sentence.

Examples:

If you want some help, do let me know.

Since I am not keeping well, I will not be able to attend office today.

• Some commas are necessary by common sense: not using commas when appropriate may entirely change the meaning of the sentence.

Example:

I knew she met with an accident, because mom messaged me this morning.

Without the comma use after accident, the sentence would read like: I knew she met with an accident because mom messaged me this morning. It seems as if she met with the accident because mom called the subject.