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Because commas are warranted in so many instances, it is easy to use them unnecessarily or incorrectly.

P2-a Omit the comma when items in a pair are joined by a coordinating conjunction.

Many word pairs can be joined by and or another coordinating conjunction, including compound predicates, compound objects, and compound subjects. None of these pairs should be interrupted by a comma.

Note: This rule does not apply when the items in a pair are both independent clauses.

P2-b Omit any comma that sets off a restrictive word group.

A restrictive word group distinguishes the noun it modifies from similar nouns or precisely defines its distinguishing characteristics. See P1-c for a review of nonrestrictive word groups that need commas.

If a comma incorrectly sets off a restrictive word group, it undermines the meaning, suggesting to the reader that essential information is not important.

P2-c Omit any commas that unnecessarily separate a subject and verb or a verb and its object.

A comma that separates two of a sentence’s core elements — subject, verb, and object— confuses matters by suggesting that some other material has been added.

P2-d Omit a comma that separates the main part of the sentence from a trailing adverbial clause.

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When an adverbial clause appears at the end of a sentence, a comma is ordinarily not needed.

P2-e Leave out commas that separate cumulative adjectives.

Leather modifies sandals, and soft modifies leather sandals as a unit. Thus the meaning is cumulative, and a comma would interrupt the connection between the adjectives and the noun. (See P1-i to review the use of commas with coordinate adjectives.)

P2-f Omit any comma that appears before or after a series of items.

Although commas should be used to separate the items in a list, they should not be used before the first item or after the final one.

(See also P1-e.)

P2-g Omit or correct any other unnecessary or incorrect commas.

Check your essays carefully to correct typical comma problems.

Omit commas that follow coordinating conjunctions.

Omit commas that follow coordinating conjunctions joining two independent clauses.

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Omit commas following subordinating conjunctions such as who, that, although, or since.

Watch for words such as who, which, that, whom, whose, where, when, although, because, since, though, and other subordinating conjunctions.

Omit commas preceding that when it introduces an indirect quotation.

Unlike a direct quotation, an indirect quotation is not set off by a comma or quotation marks.

Omit commas immediately following a preposition.

Omit commas setting off a prepositional phrase in the middle or at the end of a sentence.

When a prepositional phrase appears in the middle or at the end of a sentence, it is usually not set off by commas.

Rewrite a sentence that is full of phrases and commas to simplify both the sentence structure and the punctuation.