Punctuation for Dummies: Where commas must be put in English?

While learning English, students often try to ignore punctuation. However, if you want to write like a native, let's go through the basic rules that will help you communicate effectively with an English speaker. In English, commas play a crucial role in conveying meaning, unlike Ukrainian where commas primarily separate structural elements of a sentence.

1. Important-unimportant

If a part of the sentence can be easily omitted, use a comma. Often, these are phrases that provide additional information.

Jill, who is my sister, shut the door.

For us, it does not matter whether Jill is a native speaker or not; she simply closed the door. The meaning of the sentence remains unchanged if you exclude this clarification, so it needs to be set off by commas.

My brother, Bill, is here.

If I have an only brother, Bill, then we can do without this clarification, too. Let's put a comma. However, if I have several brothers, then:

My brother Bill is here.

Now we understand which of my brothers is here. Commas are not needed.

2. Decor elements

If a sentence contains the words or phrases "for beauty," set them off by means of commas with ease. Here, the principle of non-essential clarification also applies.

• They respected him. Moreover, they were afraid of him.
• Actually, it was how my family always celebrated Christmas.
• I am, by the way, very nervous about this.

With introductory words moreover, actually, besides, to my opinion, for example, etc. The language sounds more coherent as well as cohesive. If you remove them, the meaning will remain the same. So, highlight it with commas.

3. Two sentences

Frankly speaking, if you can place a period somewhere in the middle of a sentence, do so. Well, or a comma.

I like rock music, but I also enjoy jazz and blues.

The content will be identical if you put a period:

I like rock music. But I also enjoy jazz and blues.

4. Dates and states

Here, commas have a purely formal style, but it is important to keep this in mind. When writing the day, month, and year, separate the two numbers with a comma and then set off the year from the rest of the sentence.

• Incorrect: October 31,1517 is one of the most significant dates in history.
• Correct: October 31,1517, is one of the most significant dates in history.

If there is no day, but there is only a year, then a comma is placed only after the year:

• Incorrect: October, 1517, was a major month in history.
• Correct: October 1517, was a major month in history.

Exception: if the date in the sentence is not the main one, but only clarifies the object, commas are not placed:

He was mentioned in June 2011 article.

If we slightly change the content, commas will be needed again.

He was mentioned in June 2011, in NY Times article.

Almost the same rule applies to cities and states. Like the year, a state needs to be set off on both sides. Actually, it is a so-called "non-essential rule". The name of the state merely specifies the location of the city.

• We visited Hartford, Connecticut, last summer.
• Paris, France, is sometimes called "The City of Lights."

5. Oxford Comma

It is a comma before and/or in a list of three or more items. We are used to not putting such commas. In English it is also not always necessary, but in many universities in the USA and Great Britain it becomes a requirement. Why? Because it does help avoid confusion:

• Students can study literature, science, and technology.
• Classes can begin in spring, summer, or fall.

In the first example, students study literature, science and technology. How many items are there? The presence of a comma clearly indicates that there are three of them, and without a comma, "science and technology" may turn out to be one discipline.              

In the second example, we understand that lessons can start three times a year. If without a comma? In spring, classes always begin, but in summer or autumn, it is as luck would have it. That is why the Oxford comma is needed.

Commas indeed make the text clearer. Help the interlocutor understand you!

"Let's eat Grandma" and "Let's eat, Grandma" – commas can literally save lives!