Comma: Yes? Comma: No?

Commas help to organize and clarify writing but are often the source of confusion. Following are some basic rules about when to use a comma and when not to. Identify your own pattern of comma errors and commit to finding them in your writing. As you learn to identify and correct these errors on your own, you will lessen their frequency in your writing.

Comma: Yes

1. Before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, so, for, yet) to connect independent clauses (complete sentences). Ex: He frowned, but she did not understand why he was worried.
2. After most introductory words, phrases, or clauses. Ex: After the noisy party, the neighbors complained.
3. To set off extra information included in the sentence. Ex: My father, a computer programmer, works late at night.
4. To set off a transitional expression. Ex: The ending, however, is disappointing.
5. To separate three or more items in a series. Ex: the fans applauded, cheered, and whistled.
6. Between coordinate adjectives. Ex: We ate a delicious, well-prepared, and inexpensive meal.
7. After a verb that introduces a quotation. Ex: She gasped, "We haven't a moment to lose!"
8. To clarify meaning. Ex: Of the gymnastic team's twenty, five were injured.

Comma: No

1. Not between subject and verb. Ex: The man in the baggy pants is her English teacher. (Some writers will be tempted to place a comma before the verb is)
2. Not before part of a compound structure that is not an independent clause. Ex: She won the trophy and accepted it graciously. (The and is not linking two independent clauses, or complete sentences, so it does not call for a comma.)
3. Not after a coordinating conjunction connecting two independent clauses but before it. Ex: The movie tried to be engaging, but it failed miserably. (Writers often misplace these commas).
4. Not between two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction. Use either a period, creating two sentences, or a semi-colon instead. Using a comma creates what is known as a comma splice. Ex: He won; she was delighted.
5. Not before a clause beginning with that. Ex: They warned us that the meeting would be difficult. (Some writers will be tempted to place a comma before "that").
6. Not before and after essential information. If it is information necessary for the sentence meaning to be clear, commas are not necessary. Ex: The player who scored the goal became a hero. (If the fact that he scored a goal is omitted, or separated by commas, we do not understand why he became a hero).
7. Not between a verb and its object or complement. Ex: The best gifts are food and clothes. (Some writers may be tempted to place a comma after "are").
8. Not after "such as" or "including." A comma may be called for before such words if surrounded by a complete sentence. Ex: Popular fast food items, such as hamburgers and hot dogs, tend to be high in fat. (Commas are only used to set apart the additional information).