The Comma: Abused and Misused
written by Alice Jansing
Ah, the comma. Of all the punctuation marks in English, this one is perhaps the most abused and misused. And it’s no wonder. There are lots of rules about comma usage, and often the factors that determine whether you should use one are quite subtle. But fear not! In this book, you’ll find guidance for the trickiest comma questions.
Last Updated
05/31/21
Chapters
8
Reads
386
Comma Between Two Nouns in a Compound Subject or Object
Chapter 3
Don’t separate two nouns that appear together as a compound subject or compound object.
Incorrect: Cleo, and her band will be playing at Dockside Diner next Friday.
Correct: Cleo and her band will be playing at Dockside Diner next Friday.
Incorrect: Cleo will wear a sparkly red blazer, and high heels.
Correct: Cleo will wear a sparkly red blazer and high heels.
When a subject or object is made up of two items and the second item is parenthetical, you can set off the second item with commas—one before it and one after it. But you don’t need a comma when you’re simply listing two items.
Incorrect: Cleo, and her band will be playing at Dockside Diner next Friday.
Correct: Cleo and her band will be playing at Dockside Diner next Friday.
Incorrect: Cleo will wear a sparkly red blazer, and high heels.
Correct: Cleo will wear a sparkly red blazer and high heels.
When a subject or object is made up of two items and the second item is parenthetical, you can set off the second item with commas—one before it and one after it. But you don’t need a comma when you’re simply listing two items.
