Commas with a long subject


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A comma can be used to group a long subject.

Comma to End a Long Subject

The subject of a sentence can comprise a list of things. (This is known as a 'compound subject'.) Sometimes, the subject is made up of so many elements that some writers like to end the list with a comma to group them together.

Examples:

A clean driving licence, the ability to operate under pressure and 5 years' experience in marketing, are the only criteria stipulated by the selection panel.

("A clean driving licence, the ability to operate under pressure and 5 years' experience in marketing" is the compound subject of this sentence. The verb is "are".)

Murder is the only crime that does not increase during the full moon. Theft, disorderly conduct, larceny, armed robbery, assault and battery, and rape, all statistically increase dramatically during the full moon.

("Theft, disorderly conduct, larceny, armed robbery, assault and battery, and rape" is the compound subject of this sentence. The verb is "increase".)

SUBJECT?

The subject of a sentence is the person or thing that is performing the verb in the sentence. (Verbs are doing words like 'to dance' and 'to sit' - see lesson Verbs.)

Balloons rose out of the stadium.
(The word 'Balloons' is the subject of this sentence. They are performing the verb - in this case, the verb 'to rise'.)

David Baker is a real gentleman.
('David Baker' is the subject of this sentence. He is performing the verb - in this case, it is the verb 'to be'.)

The man next door saw that stray dog again.
('The man next door' - subject / 'to see' - the verb)

Jack and Simon are in the swimming pool.
('Jack and Simon' - subject / 'to be' - the verb)

FROWNED UPON

Be aware that ending a long compound subject with a comma is not popular with some grammarians. It is not wrong, but it is best avoided.

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