Comma Rules

Commas are used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence, to separate items in a list, to set off clauses, and to clarify meaning.

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction.

You should use a comma after an introductory phrase to separate it from the main clause.

Use commas to separate three or more items in a series, including before the conjunction (Oxford comma is optional).

Use commas to separate the name of the person being addressed from the rest of the sentence.

Use commas to separate the day from the year and after the year when the date is in the middle of a sentence.

Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) when it connects two independent clauses.

Use commas to set off non-essential clauses that provide additional information but are not necessary to the meaning of the sentence.

Use a comma in a complex sentence when a dependent clause precedes an independent clause.

Use commas to separate elements in an address, including between the street address and city, and between the city and state.