The rules provided here are those found in traditional handbooks; however, in certain rhetorical contexts and for specific purposes, these rules may be broken. The following is a short guide …

Commas Commas and periods are the most frequently used punctuation marks. Commas customarily indicate a brief pause; they're not as final as periods. Rule 1. Use commas to …

To better understand the use of the comma, begin by learning the following eight basic uses. Download or print a PDF of these rules which also include exercises.

Commas can be tricky to get right, but mastering them will improve your writing. Learn when to use commas and when to leave them out.

Jul 1, 2023 · Not sure about commas? We've got you covered. Learn the essentials about using commas in English so your writing always looks polished.

Two Independent Clauses in a Compound Sentence with a Coordinating Conjunction When you have two sentences that can stand on their own and are connecting it with a conjunction (for, …

Dec 22, 2025 · It helps make sentences easier to read by separating ideas, items in a list, clauses, or even words. As a general guide, commas are used when one would normally …

Sometimes, the comma indicates a pause that would occur if the sentence were spoken aloud. Other times, the comma separates grammatical components of the sentence.

The ten rules for using commas are listed above and detailed below. The idea that you should put a comma whenever you want your reader to take a breath is wrong.

Jul 19, 2025 · Matthew Adams breaks down the 10 most important comma usage rules, from handling geographic names to transitional phrases and more.