When and Where to Use a Comma: Part 3!

If you’ve missed the previous articles…

1. Click here to read the first part
2. Click here to read the second part

In the past couple of weeks, we published some comma guidelines and quick tips on usage.

The conclusion is finally here!

If you’ve followed the guide up to this point, you know that commas are useful yet complex, which is why there are so many rules.

So, if you need to refresh your memory or just missed parts 1 and 2, you can find them here (part 1) and here (part 2).

With that said, let’s get straight to it!

Use a comma…

1. To ask tag questions

A tag question is one that is added to the end of a sentence to seek confirmation. To show this in writing, we separate it with a comma and a question mark.

Example:

The contact information you provided is up to date, correct?

2. Before/at the end of a quotation

Such a tricky rule! When a quote ends a sentence, add a comma before it starts. When a quote starts a sentence but does not finish it, place a comma just prior to the last quotation marks.

Example:

The CEO said, “Sales are down this week.”/“Sales are down this week,” the CEO said.

3. After introductory adverbs

Think words like “firstly” or “honestly”. To mimic the pause that occurs in speech, it is best to toss a comma in directly after.

Example:

Apparently, this beautiful weather is expected to last through the end of autumn.

4. To sign off in an email/letter

When finishing an email or written letter with a set ending (e.g., “Best wishes”), a comma is needed, and then your name goes under it.

Example:

Sincerely yours,

XXX (name)

5. With exclamations/interjections

Words such as “ouch”, “whoa”, or “yuck” show feeling and are more like sounds, which is why we separate them from the rest of the sentence.

Example:

Wow, my favorite ballplayer hit a home run to tie the score!

Congrats, you’ve reached the end of TextRanch’s comma guide!

That wasn’t so hard, right? With your improved understanding of punctuation, you can now impress friends, colleagues, and even teachers.

We hope you enjoyed the journey and learned a lot along the way!

P.S. We’d love it if you could rate, comment, and share the post 🙂

Have an amazing day! ♥