English > Commas
The comma has a variety of uses. Most of the time they simply insert pauses into sentences.
e.g. Katie had just rung the doorbell, so she ran away.
The comma above does more than just add a pause to the sentence. It actually breaks the sentence into two parts.
e.g. Katie had just rung the doorbell, so she ran away.
The comma above does more than just add a pause to the sentence. It actually breaks the sentence into two parts.
Use of Commas
Commas must also be used when listing things in a single sentence.
e.g. The bag contained trainers shorts shirt socks and a water bottle.
Should be written:
The bag contained trainers, shorts, shirt, socks and a water bottle.
Note: The last two items in a list are not separated by a comma. Instead we usually use the word and. Sometimes we use or instead.
e.g. Ian couldn't decide whether to have the apple, banana, melon or orange.
e.g. The bag contained trainers shorts shirt socks and a water bottle.
Should be written:
The bag contained trainers, shorts, shirt, socks and a water bottle.
Note: The last two items in a list are not separated by a comma. Instead we usually use the word and. Sometimes we use or instead.
e.g. Ian couldn't decide whether to have the apple, banana, melon or orange.
Comma Examples
Commas allow you to add extra details to a sentence. Whether you put this at the start, middle or end is up to you!
e.g. The spot looked ugly, it was bright red.
The spot, being bright red, looked ugly.
Being bright red, the spot looked ugly.
In the second case, the commas almost act like brackets. We'll have more on them soon enough!
e.g. The spot looked ugly, it was bright red.
The spot, being bright red, looked ugly.
Being bright red, the spot looked ugly.
In the second case, the commas almost act like brackets. We'll have more on them soon enough!
Comma test. Using the following information, write a sentence, ensuring you have at least one comma in it to separate extra details.
Check our examples below.
Check our examples below.
- List the contents of your pencil case!
- Something about your Father. Name, age and job perhaps?
- Describe your favourite school subject and explain why!
Answers (Examples)
- List the contents of your pencil case!
My pencil case contains a rubber, several biros, a pencil, sharpener and calculator. - Something about your Father. Name and job perhaps?
My Dad, John, is 42 and he is a teacher. - Describe your favourite school subject and explain why!
I love physics lessons, they're really interesting because Dr. Johnson, the teacher, makes the subject come alive.
That last sentence almost certainly needed a semicolon instead of the first comma, but it's just about okay!
Comma joke: What is a panda?
A panda walks into a café, sits down and orders a sandwich. He eats the sandwich, pulls out a gun and shoots the waiter dead.As the panda stands up to go, the manager shouts, "Hey! Where are you going? You just shot my waiter and you didn't even pay for your sandwich!"
The panda yells back at the manager, "Hey man, I'm a panda! Look it up!"
The manager opens his dictionary and reads the following definition for panda: "A tree-dwelling placental mammal of Asian origin, characterized by distinct black and white colouring. Eats, shoots and leaves."
The panda yells back at the manager, "Hey man, I'm a panda! Look it up!"
The manager opens his dictionary and reads the following definition for panda: "A tree-dwelling placental mammal of Asian origin, characterized by distinct black and white colouring. Eats, shoots and leaves."
All that because of a comma... Eats, Shoots and Leaves is available from Amazon. (Sponsored listing)