Guide to Using Commas: 5 Simple Rules

One of the recurring problems we see in submissions on 10pens is incorrect comma usage. Here is a simple and clear guide on when and how to use commas.

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1. Lists - the most common use is when you are listing objects, attributes or anything else.
   Examples: She is a smart, pretty, and interesting.
   I am going to the grocery store to get milk, eggs, and cheese.
2. Parenthetical - when you are expressing a thought, but need to add some side information.
   Example: The fox, which was quick, jumped over the lazy dog.
   In this sample, the quickness of the fox is a parenthetical. Notice that the sentence can be complete without including the information between the commas, which is always true in parentheticals.
3. Separating clauses when using one of the following conjunctions: and, or, but, for, nor, so, yet.
   When you have two closely related thoughts separated by one of those conjunctions, you need a comma.
   Example: The chocolate is dark, but it is not too bitter.
   The idea that the chocolate is dark and that it is not bitter are separate clauses, but are closely related to the thought of the sentence.
4. An introduction to the sentence – if your sentence needs an introduction before jumping into the main idea, you need a comma.
   Example: This Tuesday, I am not going to school.
5. Before a quotation - when you are about to introduce a quotation into the main discussion, you need a comma to separate.
   Example: “I wasn’t speeding,” she exclaimed with gusto.
   Note that in this case the comma always goes inside the quotation marks.

For help with commas or anything else, you can submit your document to 10pens by going here.

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