Commas 101

Because commas are the most frequently used punctuation in the English language, we need to use them correctly. So here is a list of basic comma rules to help you out.

Use commas

• after an introductory clause, phrase or adverb
  • When choosing between two products, we need to consider both quality and cost.
  • To sum up, the fundraiser was a success.
  • Unfortunately, the report was late for the second week in a row.
• between two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
  • The manager requested a two-page summary, but the trainee prepared a ten-page report.
• around parenthetic expressions
  • Management was, on the whole, supportive of the suggestions.
• between items in a series
  • Ted bought paper, pens, a computer and a printer.
• around non-restrictive elements (i.e. elements not essential to the meaning of the sentence)
  • The CEO, Pam, represented her company at the conference.
• before direct quotations
  • Lester Pearson said, "Under this Flag may our youth find new inspiration for loyalty to Canada…."
• between a place name and a province, territory or its abbreviation (also add a comma after the name of the province, territory, etc., if it is not the last word in the sentence)
  • I enjoy going to Gimli, Manitoba, for my holidays.
  • This parcel is being sent to Brandon, Man.
• between parts of dates and after the year
  • April 1, 1999, is an important date for many Nunavummiuts.
  • Jack's son was born on Friday, February 13, 2009.
• between names and titles or degrees
  • Elizabeth II, Queen of England
  • Charles Peabody, MD
• for clarity
  • We left the crew members, convinced of their dedication. (Those leaving were convinced of the crew members' dedication.)

    OR

  • We left the crew members convinced of their dedication. (The crew members were convinced of their own dedication.)

Do NOT use commas

• between the month and the year

  WRONG: Treasury Board approved the submission in February, 2008.

  REVISED: Treasury Board approved the submission in February, 2008.

• between words that share a close grammatical bond (e.g. a verb or preposition and its complement)

  WRONG: Francine carefully unwrapped, the silver candlestick and placed it gently on, the table in front of her.

  REVISED: Francine carefully unwrapped the silver candlestick and placed it gently on the table in front of her.

• after a coordinating conjunction instead of before it

  WRONG: You can work now or, you can work overtime on the weekend.

  REVISED: You can work now, or you can work overtime on the weekend.

• with restrictive elements (i.e. elements essential to the meaning of the sentence)

  WRONG: Any person, who is lazy, will fail.

  REVISED: Any person who is lazy will fail.

• in a series of non-coordinate adjectives

  WRONG: Old, stone fences remind me of home.

  REVISED: Old stone fences remind me of home.

  TIP: If you can insert the word and between the adjectives, then use a comma. In the example above, it sounds odd to say "an old and stone fence," so there's no need for a comma.