Four jobs commas do
| Job | Example |
|---|---|
| 1. Separate items in a list (no comma before the final and) | I bought apples, bananas, pears and grapes. |
| 2. After a fronted adverbial (a “when, where or how” phrase at the start) | After lunch, we played football. |
| 3. Around extra information (the sentence still makes sense without it) | My cousin, who lives in Newry, came to visit. |
| 4. After a name or yes/no when talking to someone | Sam, come here please. Yes, I’d love to. |
Where exactly does the comma sit?
A comma belongs to the word before it, not the word after it. It tucks in tight against the end of that word, and then there is a space before the next word.
- ✔ I bought apples, bananas and pears.
- ✘ I bought apples ,bananas and pears.
This matters in a test. When a sentence is split into boxes, the missing comma belongs to the box that ends with that word:
| I packed apples | bananas and pears | for the trip | to the zoo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| A ← the comma goes here, after apples | B | C | D |
So the answer is A, even though the next word is in box B. Always ask: which word does the comma come straight after?
The list rule: no comma before and
In a list, put a comma between the items but not before the final and:
- ✔ red, white and blue
- ✔ We bought bread, milk, cheese and apples.
Don’t be confused by what you have seen! You will often come across red, white, and blue, with a comma before the and. That extra comma is American style. It is not wrong in America, and you will see it in books, films and on websites.
For your test, leave it out. British English, and your exam, expects no comma before and in a simple list.
Why commas matter
Commas can change the meaning completely:
- Let’s eat, Grandma! (asking Grandma to eat with you)
- Let’s eat Grandma! (oh no…)
Watch out! Extra information needs a comma on both sides, like a pair of brackets. Take the words between the commas away: the sentence should still make sense.
Top tip: read the sentence aloud. A comma usually goes where you take a small breath, and it always sits at the end of the word just before that breath.