8 Simple Comma Rules With Examples | 8 Comma Rules (2024)

There are 8 simple comma rules with examples that will help you take the guess work out of comma placement in English sentences.

By following the 8 simple comma rules with examples below, you will quickly master comma placement in English sentences.

What are the 8 Simple Rules for Commas With Examples?

Use commas with lists
Use commas to separate direct quotations
Use commas to set off certain words
Use commas after an introductory clause or phrase
Use commas to separate independent clauses
Use commas to set off participial phrases
Use commas between certain parts of address
Use commas to separate certain parts of a date

Commas are punctuation marks that mostly indicate pauses in sentences. The tricky thing about commas is that most people struggle to know where to put commas in sentences.

There is some flexibility but knowing the comma rules will help you take away the guess work and build confidence in your placement of commas.

1. Use Commas With Lists

The first comma rule will help you use commas between words or groups of words in a series.

Brad, Jonathan, and David went fishing over the long weekend. (a series of nouns)
The neighbor cleaned, mowed, and watered the lawn while I was in hospital. (a series of verbs)
My sympathy went out to the tired, weary, and hungry survivors. (a series of adjectives)
John loved his grandmother, cared for his grandmother, and supported his grandmother during the disaster. (a group of words in a series)
We brought the tents, the sleeping bags, and the gas lights to our camping site during the week. (a series of nouns)
Rachel confirmed that she would finish her assignment, that she would mail her assignment as quickly as possible, and that she would begin a new module straight away (series of clauses)
David has cereal, toast, and juice for breakfast every morning. (a series of nouns)
The children played games in the morning, read books in the afternoon, and watched movies at night while on school camp. (a group of words in a series)
The tired, weary, and exhausted runners gave their all to complete the marathon. (a series of adjectives)
He put the money in the bank, on Friday, and during the afternoon. (a series of phrases)

For more information on the Oxford comma, click this link – The Oxford Comma.

2. Use commas to separate direct quotations

The second comma rule will help you separate a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence.

The football coach inspired the players by saying, “It’s not always about winning but doing your best!”
Mum asked,“Would you like salad with your dinner tonight?”
“I will spend the next few days collecting the information you need,” the teacher proclaimed.
“When it is needed,” David said, “I will give the right advice!”
“I will go shopping when I feel like it,” my sister shouted!
My mother asked, “When will you clean your room?”
The policeman shouted, “Stop or I will shoot!”

3. Use Commas To Set Off Certain Words

The third comma rule will help you use commas to set off nouns of direct address, words in apposition, and words such as “yes,” “no,” “hi,” “however” and “well.”

Students, take out your books for the next lesson! (noun of direct address)
I am waiting, students, for your response! (noun of direct address)
I would like to visit your assistant, Jeremy! (noun of direct address)
Reverend Burns, our church minister, has helped our family work through the loss of our mother. (in apposition)
We were all glad when our little brother stood up to Alexander, the biggest bully in school. (in apposition)
Yes, we all grow old and pass away! (word such as yes)
No, you cannot take that amount of money on your holidays! (word such as no)
Hi, how are you today? (word such as hi)
However, I would love to help you study for your exams. (word such as however)
Well, it’s time to move forward in your life! (word such as well)

4. Use Commas After An Introductory Clause of Phrase

The fourth comma rule will help you set off introductory clause of phrase.

5. Use Commas To Separate Independent Clauses

The fifth comma rule will help you connect two independent clauses. Coordinating conjunctions usually connect independent clauses, such as: and, but, yet, nor, or and for.

Brad rode his bike to John’s place, and he helped him fix the fence. (connecting with “and”)
Rachel was exhausted after working all day, so she decided to go to bed early. (connecting with “so”)
Emma isn’t hungry, so she doesn’t want dinner right now. (connecting with “so”)
Jenny loves dogs, and she has a dog called Bailey. (connecting with “and”)
David writes many articles for his blog, but he doesn’t write articles for other people. (connecting with “but”)
Jonathan and Brad stopped to eat, for the work had made them very hungry. (connecting with “for”)
There was no shop nearby, nor did they bring any food with them. (connecting with “nor”)
There was still much work to do, yet they needed to rest and eat. (connecting with “yet”)
Lee will not go to bed early, for he thinks he might miss out on some of the action. (connecting with “for”)
Jenny is a great mother, and she is a great friend to her neighbors. (connection with “and”)

6. Use Commas To Set Off Participial Phrases

The sixth comma rule will help you set off participial phrases from the main clause in sentences. If the participial phrase is before the main clause, put the comma after the participial phrase.

If the participial phrase is in the middle of the sentence, the participial phrase requires a comma before and after it.

If the participial phrase is after the main clause, put a comma before the participial phrase.

Note: There are two forms of participial phrases – present participle (ending in -ing) and past participle (ending in -ed, sometimes irregular).

The young woman, sitting in the middle, is my beautiful wife.
David caught a bus home, tired from a hard day at the office.
Arriving home early, I interrupted the thief.
Emma applied for the new position at her work place, hoping to get promoted.
Speaking to the group, the coach encouraged his players to do their best in the game.
Relating to his experience, the mechanic solved the problem quickly.
The dog, barking loudly and continuously, kept everyone up all night.
Soaked by the rain storm, the children changed their clothes.
Confused by the new rule, the players asked the coach for an explanation.
I won the prize, shaking with excitement.

7. Use Commas Between Certain Parts of Address

The seventh comma rule will help you put commas in the right place when writing an address.

Burlington, Massachusetts, is my birth place.
I will travel to Madison, Wisconsin, to look for work during the holidays.
My book was published in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is where my cousin lives.
My brother was transferred to a new office in Columbus, Ohio.

8. Use Commas To Separate Certain Parts of a Date

The eighth comma rule will help you separate a date when writing them in sentences. You will need to place a comma after the year when it appears in the middle of a sentence.

Friday, November 30, 1991, was my graduation day.
I graduated on Friday, November 30, 1991.
My new vocation starts on Monday, June 12, 2001.
On Wednesday, July 13, 2012, our business opened our new office.
The drunk driver was pulled over on Saturday, June 19, 2014, and charged with dangerous driving.

As a whole, these 8 comma rules with examples will help you take the guess work out of comma placement in English sentences.

Also by learning what are the 8 simple rules for commas with examples, you will grow in confidence with your writing skills.

Click on this link for more information on the 8 parts of speech in English grammar.