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Using Commas
This Page Includes...
Using Commas
Commas have ten uses:(1) After setting the scene at the start of a sentence.
For example:
- Now that I am older, I understand.
For example:
- As a result, I now understand.
For example:
- Wow, I see your point.
For example:
- I like cake, and I like cheese.
For example:
- Janet and John Baxter, who live next door, adore cakes.
For example:
- bread, milk, and cheese
(
)
- bread, milk and cheese
(
)
For example:
- A, B, C, and D, are required to bake this cake.
For example:
- 3,213
For example:
- I know your auntie, John.
For example:
- She said, "I understand."
More about the Rules for Using Commas
This section explains when to use commas in more detail and gives examples for each type of comma usage.(1) Using Commas after "Setting the Scene"

- In Paris, they simply stared when I spoke to them in French.
- At exactly 4 o'clock, two of the kidnappers re-entered the room.
- If you don't know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else.
(Laurence J. Peter, 1919-1988)
(sets a condition)
- As you were born here, it makes sense for my group to take the map.
- When a man tells you that he got rich through hard work , ask him "Whose?"
(Don Marquis, 1878-1937)
(sets a time)
- When I was a boy, I was told that anybody could become President. Now I'm beginning to believe it.
(Clarence Darrow, 1857 - 1938)
(First "scene setting" adverb – comma used. Second "scene setting" adverb – no comma required)
- Two of the kidnappers re-entered the room at exactly 4 o'clock.
- Two of the kidnappers, at exactly 4 o'clock, re-entered the room.
(2) Using Commas after a Transitional Phrase (e.g, "However," "As a result")

- John has eaten at least two cakes a day for the last decade. As a result, he has been placed in a high-risk group for diabetes.
- I think. Therefore, I am.
Rene Descartes (1596-1650)
- All progress is initiated by challenging current conceptions, and executed by supplanting existing institutions. Consequently, the first condition of progress is the removal of censorships. George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)
- Orthodox medicine has not found an answer to your complaint. However, luckily for you, I happen to be a quack.
Read more about using a comma after a transitional phrase.
(3) Using Commas after an Interjection

- Oh great, the boiler's broken down.
- Yes, that's three out of three.
- I understand your predicament, but, crikey, there is nothing we can do.
Read more about using a comma after an interjection.
(4) Using Commas before a Conjunction

When a conjunction joins two standalone sentences (or independent clauses), it is usual to place a comma before it. For example (conjunctions shaded):
- Lee can sing, and he can dance
- Lee can sing, and dance
- No amount of time can erase the memory of a good cat, and no amount of masking tape can ever totally remove his fur from your couch.
(Leo Buscaglia, 1925-1998)
- When you have got an elephant by the hind leg, and he is trying to run away, it's best to let him run.
(Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865)
("When you have got an elephant by the hind leg" is not a standalone sentence.)
Read about the Oxford Comma.
(5) Using Commas for Parentheses

Examples (with each example of parenthesis shaded):
- The case has, in some respects, been not entirely devoid of interest.
- At 4 o'clock yesterday, David Frost, a cleaner from the Lakes Estate, was charged with "dog napping" his former headmaster's poodle.
- Joanne Baxter, who originally appeared as a witness, has been found guilty of handling stolen goods.
Read more about using commas to replace brackets.
(6) Using Commas in Lists

- Fish, chips, and peas
The first part of the rule is easy enough: when there are just two items in a list, there is no need to use a comma between them.
- Fish and chips
- The Bakerloo Line runs between Harrow and Wealdston, and Elephant and Castle.
- Fish, chips, and peas
(
)
- Fish, chips and peas
(
)
- Fish, chips, and peas
(
) (This is correct if you're an advocate for the Oxford Comma.)
Read more about using commas in lists.
(7) Using Commas after a Long Subject

- Janet is popular. (This is a normal subject (i.e., not a compound one). The subject has one element: Janet.)
- Janet and John are popular. (This is a compound subject because it has two elements: Janet and John.)
- The large gorilla is popular. (This is a normal subject. It has one element: The large gorilla.)
- The large gorilla with the bright blue eyes and the albino lion cub with piercing pink eyes are popular. (This is a compound subject with two elements.)
- Leaving a list of internet passwords, increasing your life insurance, and writing a will, will give you peace of mind while you are on operations. (Here, the writer has used a comma after will to show the end of the subject. It is hard to argue that this comma does not help the reader.)
(8) Using Commas with Numbers

- 3,356
- 12,128,153,356
- 175,757.01


- 3.356
(in Europe)
- 12.128.153.356
(in Europe)
- 175.757,01
(in Europe)
(9) Using Commas before Speech Marks

- He said jokingly, "The world is my lobster."
- Paul whispered, "Is he always that miserable?"
In fact, it's your choice whether you follow your introductory words with a comma, a colon, or nothing. It depends on your desired flow of text. If you don't really care about the desired flow of text and you'd like some guidelines to help you decide which to use, then there is a useful guideline which states that a comma should be used for short quotations (six words or fewer) and colon should be used for longer quotations. (This is not a rule. It's a useful guideline.)
Read more about using a comma before speech marks.
(10) Using Commas with the Vocative Case

- Do me the courtesy of shutting up, Alan.
- Darling, can you take the casserole out the oven?
- I know your sister, Jason.
- Tell me it's good news, doctor.
- And that, your Majesty, is how you make Eccles Cakes. I mean, it's how one makes Eccles Cakes.
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