ISLPR Language Services Blog

Commas

Posted by on Apr 19, 2021 at 10:27 AM

Ever wondered how and where to use a comma? Then this blog post is for you!

If an adverb, adverbial phrase or adverbial clause comes before the verb it refers to, put a comma after it (or if it is in the middle of a sentence, before and after it). If an adverb, adverbial phrase or adverbial clause comes after the verb it refers to, there generally is no comma.

A parenthetical phrase is preceded and followed by a comma.

Example: last night, Bill and I, Mary didn’t come, went to the theatre together.

If a sentence starts with an introductory word or phrase, put a comma after it.

Example:

Finally, read over your work carefully. However, don’t take too long doing it. At night, the stars come out.

Do not put a single comma between a subject and its verb or between a verb and its object. There might be two commas if a parenthetical phrase comes between them.

Apposition

If two words or a word and a phrase stand side by side and refer to the same person or thing, they are said to be in apposition and you put a comma before and after the second one.

Examples:

Your son, Roger, has behaved badly in school.

Last night, we saw the play, “King Lear”, and hope to go again next Saturday.