Avoiding unnecessary commas

Page contents:

  • Commas with restrictive elements

  • Commas between subjects and verbs, verbs and objects or complements, and prepositions and objects

  • Commas in compound constructions

  • Commas in a series

Excessive use of commas can spoil an otherwise fine sentence.

Commas with restrictive elements

Do not use commas to set off restrictive elements—elements that limit, or define, the meaning of the words they modify or refer to.

image

Commas between subjects and verbs, verbs and objects or complements, and prepositions and objects

Do not use a comma between a subject and its verb, a verb and its object or complement, or a preposition and its object—not even if the subject, object, or complement is a long phrase or clause.

image

Commas in compound constructions

In compound constructions (other than compound sentences), do not use a comma before or after a coordinating conjunction that joins the two parts.

image

The and here joins parts of the compound predicate was born and has used, which should not be separated by a comma.

image

The and here joins parts of a compound subject, which should not be separated by a comma.

Commas in a series

Do not use a comma before the first or after the last item in a series.

image