(,) COMMAs

A comma is used:

• to separate words in a list, for example:

- a bouquet of yellow, red and pink tulips (BE);

• to separate phrases or clauses, for example:

- He came in, took off his coat, went to the bathroom and washed his hands.

• before and after a clause (non-defining relative clause) or phrase that gives additional, but not essential, information about the noun it follows:

- My godmother, who is dead now, spent most of her life in America.

!!!NOTE!!! DO NOT use a comma in a defining relative clause! This clause gives important information which tells us exactly what is being referred to:

*The book you've lent me is really weighty.

• to separate main clauses, especially long ones, linked by a conjunction such as and, as, but, for, or;

• to separate an introductory word or phrase, or an adverb or adverbial phrase that applies to the whole sentence, from the rest of the sentence:

- Oh, it's you.

- By the way, have you seen my wallet?

- I must say, however, that I have never thought of that myself.

• to separate a tag question from the rest of the sentence:

- You're new here, aren’t you?

• before or after 'she said', etc. when writing down conversation:

- 'Come in,' said the doctor.

For more on commas in defining and non-defing clauses, see the presentations below.

The oxford comma

The Oxford (or serial) comma is the final comma in a list of things. In British English the comma before and is often omitted, while according to APA style, it should also be used before and and or in a series of three or more items:

• • • • a bouquet of yellow, red, and pink tulips (APA)

For more information on commas see:

• The Oxford comma: grammarly.com

• Rules on how to use the comma in APA style see: APA style

• Comma in defining and non-defining relative clauses

• The presentations below