Comma Rules

When and how to use commas correctly in English

beginner

When to Use

•Lists: I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.
•Before coordinating conjunctions joining clauses: I was tired, so I went to bed.
•After introductory elements: However, I disagree. After lunch, we left.
•Around non-essential information: My brother, who lives in London, is visiting.
•Between adjectives of equal rank: a tall, handsome man.

How to Form

Affirmative (+)

Place comma where pause or separation is needed

Negative (-)

Don't use comma between subject and verb, or before essential clauses

Question (?)

Same rules apply in questions

💡 Oxford comma (before 'and' in lists) is optional but recommended for clarity.

Examples

✓I like coffee, tea, and juice.

✗I like coffee tea and juice.

Use commas to separate list items.

✓Although it was late, we continued.

✗Although it was late we continued.

Comma after introductory clause.

✓My sister, who is a doctor, helped me.

✗My sister who is a doctor helped me.

Commas around non-essential clause.

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

• Lists: comma between items; Oxford comma before 'and' is optional.
• Two independent clauses + conjunction = comma before conjunction.
• Introductory words/phrases/clauses = comma after.
• Non-essential info = commas around; essential info = no commas.

apostrophe-rules contrast-conjunctions relative-clauses 📝 punctuation-beginner 📝 comma-rules-quiz

Comma Rules

When and how to use commas correctly in English

beginner

When to Use

•Lists: I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.
•Before coordinating conjunctions joining clauses: I was tired, so I went to bed.
•After introductory elements: However, I disagree. After lunch, we left.
•Around non-essential information: My brother, who lives in London, is visiting.
•Between adjectives of equal rank: a tall, handsome man.

How to Form

Affirmative (+)

Place comma where pause or separation is needed

Negative (-)

Don't use comma between subject and verb, or before essential clauses

Question (?)

Same rules apply in questions

💡 Oxford comma (before 'and' in lists) is optional but recommended for clarity.

Examples

✓I like coffee, tea, and juice.

✗I like coffee tea and juice.

Use commas to separate list items.

✓Although it was late, we continued.

✗Although it was late we continued.

Comma after introductory clause.

✓My sister, who is a doctor, helped me.

✗My sister who is a doctor helped me.

Commas around non-essential clause.

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

• Lists: comma between items; Oxford comma before 'and' is optional.
• Two independent clauses + conjunction = comma before conjunction.
• Introductory words/phrases/clauses = comma after.
• Non-essential info = commas around; essential info = no commas.

apostrophe-rules contrast-conjunctions relative-clauses 📝 punctuation-beginner 📝 comma-rules-quiz

Comma Rules

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

Related

Comma Rules

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

Related

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

✗The man, who called, was my boss.

✗I went to the store, and bought milk.

✗She said, that she was tired.

💡 Practice Tips

Related

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

✗The man, who called, was my boss.

✗I went to the store, and bought milk.

✗She said, that she was tired.

💡 Practice Tips

Related