Commas with “such as”

On this page

• When to use commas
• When to omit commas
• Commas directly after “such as”
• Additional information

When to use commas

When such as introduces a non-restrictive modifier (a modifier that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence), a comma is required before and after the modifier:

• Many vegetables, such as artichokes, peas and broccoli, are high in fiber.

In the example above, the modifier such as artichokes, peas and broccoli is not essential; it simply adds detail. Therefore, the modifier should be set off by commas, one before such as and one after broccoli.

To determine whether a modifier is non-restrictive, try removing it. You’ll know it’s non-restrictive if the sentence remains true: Many vegetables are high in fibre.

When to omit commas

Restrictive modifiers (modifiers that are essential to the meaning of the sentence) are not set off by commas:

• Words such as street, avenue, and road are abbreviated only in addresses.

In the example above, the modifier such as street, avenue and road is essential to the meaning of the sentence; it restricts the general term words to a specific type of word. For that reason, the modifier is not set off by commas.

You’ll know a modifier is restrictive if you try removing it, and the sentence no longer holds true: Words are abbreviated only in addresses.

Commas directly after “such as”

Note that such as should not be separated from the list of examples that follows it. For that reason, you should never put a comma immediately after such as:

• To avoid any misunderstanding, use clear, precise language in documents such as contracts, proposals and reports [not such as, contracts, proposals and reports].

Additional information

• Commas with non-restrictive elements
• Commas with appositives

Quiz

• Commas: Missing or not?