Punctuation

No comma between a verb and its subject or object

A sentence should flow from subject to verb to object without unnecessary pauses.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Zoos large enough to give the animals freedom to roam, are becoming more popular. Revised sentence: Zoos large enough to give the animals freedom to roam are becoming more popular.

The comma should not separate the subject, zoos, from the verb, are becoming.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Francesca explained to him, that she was busy and would see him later. Revised sentence: Francesca explained to him that she was busy and would see him later.

The comma should not separate the verb, explained, from its object, the subordinate clause that she was busy and would see him later.

EXCEPTION:Commas may appear between a verb and its subject or object only if another sentence element requires them.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: The National Zoo which is on Connecticut Avenue has two giant panda adults and one baby. Revised sentence: The National Zoo, which is on Connecticut Avenue, has two giant panda adults and one baby.

The commas separating the subject, National Zoo, from its verb, has, are required around the adjective clause which is on Connecticut Avenue.

Exercises:

Misuses of the comma 1

Misuses of the comma 2