✍️ English Grammar and Writing · Punctuation
Comma Rules cheat sheet
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Use a comma
- Between items in a series of three or more, including before the last and (the serial comma, as this site writes it)
- After an introductory word, phrase, or dependent clause
- Before a FANBOYS word that joins two independent clauses
- Around nonessential clauses and appositives (a pair)
- Between coordinate adjectives
- Around direct address, in dates (month day, year,) and in places (city, state,)
Do not use a comma
- Between a subject and its verb (a pair around an interrupter is fine)
- Before a FANBOYS word that joins only two verbs, phrases, or items
- Around essential clauses, such as a that clause that identifies the noun
- Usually before a time, reason, or condition clause that follows the main clause (a contrast clause with although usually takes one)
- Between cumulative adjectives, or between the last adjective and the noun
- Right after a conjunction that begins a sentence
- Between a month and a year, a state and a ZIP code, or a street number and a street name
Exceptions at a glance
- Series: two items take no comma, and items that contain commas use semicolons
- Introduction: a short phrase may skip the comma
- Clause at the end: a contrast clause with although, though, or whereas usually takes a comma
- FANBOYS: two very short clauses may skip the comma
- Extra information: in American style, that for essential clauses and which (with commas) for nonessential ones
- Adjectives: cumulative adjectives take no comma
- Splice: three or more short parallel clauses may use commas, with and before the last (We laughed, we cried, and we cheered.)
Fix a comma splice
- Period: We finished. We left.
- Semicolon: We finished; we left.
- Comma plus FANBOYS: We finished, so we left.
- When however, therefore, or then starts a second independent clause, use a semicolon (or a period) before it, not a comma. When however only interrupts one clause, commas are right: The plan, however, worked.
Comma Rules cheat sheet from HighSchoolQ.com, for personal study use.