Other unnecessary commas

No comma between an adjective and a noun

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: It was a senseless, dangerous, mission. Revised sentence: It was a senseless, dangerous mission.

No comma after a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet)

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: I have an iPod, but, I don't have a sound dock. Revised sentence: I have an iPod, but I don't have a sound dock.

No comma after such as or like

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Many shade-loving plants, such as, begonias, impatiens, and coleus, can add color to a shady garden. Revised sentence: Many shade-loving plants, such as begonias, impatiens, and coleus, can add color to a shady garden.

No comma between an adverb and the adjective it modifies

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: The Hurst Home is unsuitable as a mental facility for severely, disturbed youths. Revised sentence: The Hurst Home is unsuitable as a mental facility for severely disturbed youths.

No comma before than

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Touring Crete was more thrilling for us, than visiting the Greek islands frequented by rich Europeans. Revised sentence: Touring Crete was more thrilling for us than visiting the Greek islands frequented by rich Europeans.

No comma after although

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Although, the air was balmy, the water was too cold for swimming. Revised sentence: Although the air was balmy, the water was too cold for swimming.

No comma before a parenthesis

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: At Nextel Sylvia began at the bottom, (with only three and a half walls and a swivel chair), but within five years she had been promoted to supervisor. Revised sentence: At Nextel Sylvia began at the bottom (with only three and a half walls and a swivel chair), but within five years she had been promoted to supervisor.

NOTE: A comma may come after a closed parenthesis when the sentence structure requires it. In the preceding example, the comma separates two independent clauses joined by but.

No comma to set off an indirect (reported) quotation

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Samuel Goldwyn once said, that a verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on. Revised sentence: Samuel Goldwyn once said that a verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on.

No comma with a question mark or an exclamation point

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: “Why don't you try it?,” she coaxed. Revised sentence: “Why don't you try it?” she coaxed.

Exercises:

Misuses of the comma 1

Misuses of the comma 2