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Because he kept barking insistently, we threw the ball for Smokey.

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My favorite cities to visit are Chicago, Memphis, and Louisville.

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Nonessential: My uncle, who is eighty years old, walks three miles every day

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a punctuation mark (,) indicating a pause between parts of a sentence. It is also used to separate items in a list and to mark the place of thousands in a large numeral.

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Join a game of kahoot here. Kahoot! is a free game-based learning platform that makes it fun to learn – any subject, in any language, on any device, for all ages!

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Ten Easy Comma Rules

Commas are a useful punctuation device that separates the structural components of a sentence. However, so many people do not know how to use them correctly.

Learn the comma rules once and for all so you can prevent comma splices in your papers.

Before you can understand when to use a comma and when not to, you need to know what elements need to be in a sentence. Click here to learn how to write a sentence.

Once you know how to write a basic sentence and the elements that a sentence contains, then you should proceed with the following information about comma rules.

The Ten Comma Rules

1. Rule 1:
Use a comma between items that are listed in a series, which contain three or more words or clauses.

Example: We went to a movie, ate dinner and then went to a party.

Example: I bought a chocolate cake, strawberry pie and some ice cream for the party.

2. Rule 2:
Use a comma when quoting the words of others.

Example: Michele grabbed her keys and said, "I won't be back."

Example: "Don't hit your sister, " my mother warned.

For more information on how to use quotes, click here.

3. Rule 3:
Use a comma when writing dates and addresses.

Example: My address is 1234 Fake Lane Drive, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Example: We are going to Ireland on May 25, 2012.

4. Rule 4:
Use a comma after introductory phrases.

Example: Despite the fact that we haven't spoken in weeks, I still sent Heather a gift for her birthday.

Example: After washing my hands, I cut the cake.

5. Rule 5:
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction when it joins two independent clauses. A coordinating conjunction, also known as FANBOYS, include for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. Remember independent clauses are two complete sentences.

For additional help on what a complete sentence is, click here for information on how to write a sentence.

Example: The weather was rainy, and it was very cold.

Example: The girls overslept, so they did not go to school.

6. Rule 6:
Use a comma after a subordinate/dependent clause when it begins a sentence. Subordinate/dependent clauses begin with words like if, because, after, when, as, while, since, even though, although, before, and whenever.

Example: While I ate my sandwich, my brother played. (dependent clause is at the start of the sentence, so a comma is needed)

Example: My brother played while I ate my sandwich. (dependent clause is second, so no comma is needed)

For more information on independent and dependent clauses, click here.

7. Rule 7:
Use a comma to set off an adjective clause if it is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Adjective clauses usually start with words like that, which or who.

Example: My uncle, who lives in Santa Barbara, loves to surf.

Example: The college, which is in El Cajon, is very nice.

For a better explanation on adjective clauses, click here.

8. Rule 8:
Use a common when using conjunctive adverbs.

Conjunctive adverbs are words like however, on the other hand, although, nevertheless, consequently, therefore, especially, moreover, and for example .

Example: The Chargers looked like they were going to make it to the super bowl, however, I decided to root for the Cowboys.

Example: I decided to ask for a raise and, consequently, I was fired.

9. Rule 9:
Use a comma to break up the flow of a sentence.

Example: Michelle, clean up your room!

Example: The entire congregation, known for their generous giving, donated money to build a new parking lot.

10. Rule 10:
Use a comma to set off an appositive word or phrase that is used to describe or identify another noun.

Example: That was the best day of my life, the day when my daughter was born. ("day" is repeated and is described further after the comma).

Don't let these ten comma rules make you feel overwhelmed. By being able to identify when you should use a comma and when you shouldn't, you are only advancing yourself as a writer. Remember, practice is key.

Learn these comma rules so you can avoid comma splices!

Think you have these rules down?

Test your comma usage in these English grammar exercises.

Return from "Comma Rules" to Home Page

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Commas are a useful punctuation device that separates the structural components of a sentence. However, so many people do not know how to use them correctly. Learn the comma rules once and for all so you can prevent comma splices in your papers.

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Learning comma basics

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Comma Game

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Comma Video

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Want even more deets on How to Use a Freakin' Comma? Click here to sign up for a subscription and gain access to all of our online courses. Or take a look at our entire grammar section for all the goods.

00:34

of us use nearly every single day...

00:36

...and yet many of us are still clueless.

00:40

The poor comma is misused more than the blunt end of a screwdriver.

00:45

But we're going to set things straight.

00:47

So sit back, relax, and allow us to tell you everything you need to know about our curvy

00:52

little friend. So... when should you use a comma?

00:57

When separating out phrases that don't need to be there.

01:01

So you're writing a sentence and you want to add a little color commentary. Add it between

01:06

commas.

01:07

"My pug, Morton, is lazy."

01:11

Take out what's between the commas, and the sentence won't buckle.

01:14

Sure, Morton is totally appreciative of the shout-out, but if you removed his name...

01:20

and the two commas... the sentence would still send the same message.

01:24

"My pug is lazy." So in this instance, the comma is used to rope off non-essential information.

01:30

Sorry, Morton. We promise we don't consider you non-essential. Not that you'd ever get

01:36

off your duff to do anything about it. When linking two independent clauses with

01:43

a conjunction.

01:44

If you need a refresher, conjunctions include your "ifs," your "ands," your "buts" and your

01:48

"coconuts."

01:49

Ok, maybe not the coconuts.

01:53

When you've got two halves of a sentence that could exist on their own...

01:56

...but you're lumping 'em together...

01:57

...you'll use a comma and a conjunction to make them play nice with each other.

02:02

As in: "I'd like to go to Six Flags, but it's my day to clean the bathroom."

02:07

You could say "I'd like to go to Six Flags. It's my day to clean the bathroom."...

02:11

...but by adding a comma and a conjunction, you can say both. And you can make your obvious

02:17

bitterness so much more pronounced. When you're addressing someone in particular.

02:24

As opposed to all those times you go out onto your balcony to address the masses collectively.

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This one can be a lifesaver... literally.

02:35

Just check out the difference between "Let's eat, Grandma!" and "Let's eat Grandma!"

02:40

Grandma only survives the first example. And it would really be a shame if she kicked the

02:45

bucket this close to her 90th birthday. When making a list.

02:55

A list of... inappropriate ways to use commas, for example.

02:59

Suppose we want to communicate that our favorite foods are "peanut butter M&Ms, Brussels sprouts,

03:06

and fried... anything."

03:08

But what about that last comma? You might have noticed that not everyone drops a comma

03:12

in that spot.

03:13

But Shmoop does. That last comma-also known as the serial or Oxford comma--can help alleviate

03:19

list confusion...

03:21

Like if we were to say, "Shmoop's role models are their parents, William Shakespeare and

03:26

Toni Morrison."

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Although they possibly used to date... in some bizarre, alternate universe... Billy

03:33

Shakes and Toni M are not our parents.

03:36

Instead, we're naming three separate things. So we would write it this way:

03:41

"Shmoop's role models are their parents, William Shakespeare, and Toni Morrison."

03:47

People have gotten into full-on brawls over this one, but Shmoop says: Don't be a serial

03:52

comma killer. When you have more than one adjective modifying

03:57

a noun.

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As in, "The brilliant, hilarious Shmoop." We could keep adding complimentary adjectives

04:03

all day long, but we think those two probably get our point across.

04:08

After introductory phrases or clauses.

04:12

Once we're done with this example, we'll move on to the next one.

04:15

<<Pause.>> That was it. Our example. Did you miss it?

04:21

So is that all? Those are the only times you need a comma? Well, no.

04:25

There are some other instances... dates, the ending of a letter, geographical locations,

04:31

et cetera... but these six are the biggies. But when shouldn't you use a comma?

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The easy answer is... all other times.

04:40

You should never use a comma just because you feel like a sentence could use a good

04:43

pause...

04:44

...or because the period key on your keyboard is broken. Call Geek Squad... they'll hook

04:50

you up. But here are a few specific times when people

04:54

tend to get tripped up... When separating two independent clauses without

05:01

a conjunction.

05:03

A run-on sentence, believe it or not, isn't necessarily a long sentence.

05:08

If you plug a comma somewhere it doesn't belong, you can actually make a very short sentence

05:13

a run-on.

05:13

It might be more of a jog... but still.

05:17

Try this one on for size: "I eat, I sleep."

05:21

First of all... way to keep your priorities in order. But secondly... we've got a run-on

05:25

sentence here.

05:26

Both parts of the sentence could function on their own as complete sentences, and they

05:30

can't be joined by just a comma.

05:32

Without their conjunction buddy, it simply doesn't work.

05:35

This specific type of run-on sentence is called a comma-splice. And they're as painful as

05:40

they sound. After the conjunction.

05:46

So none of this: "You think you're wrong but, I think you're right."

05:51

Ugh. We just cold a cold chill. And finally, when separating a dependent and

05:58

independent clause with a conjunction.

06:01

Translation: a comma would be totally inappropriate here:

06:05

"We ran to the kitchen, and started to down some cookies."

06:09

"Started to down some cookies" isn't its own sentence, so even with the conjunction there,

06:14

the comma has to go.

06:15

Besides, the comma is only going to slow you down in your quest for those cookies.

06:19

Make sure you bring enough to share with the whole class.

06:22

So yeah, there are a few rules to keep straight...

06:24

....but it isn't brain surgery.

06:25

If it were... there would certainly be a lot of people praying not

07:59

to fall into a comma.

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How to Use a Comma | Grammar Help | Shmooptube | Shmoop

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Want even more deets on How to Use a Freakin' Comma? Click here to sign up for a subscription and gain access to all of our online courses. Or take a look at our entire grammar section for all the goods. 00:34 of us use nearly every single day...