Introduction: Comma Rules in English
The comma rules in English are very important for clear and correct writing. A misplaced comma can completely change the meaning of a sentence. Many students and exam aspirants often get confused with comma usage. In this article, we explain comma rules in English with 100+ examples, along with tips for students preparing for competitive exams.
Comma Rules in English
Rule 1: Use commas to separate items in a list
Examples:
- I bought apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes.
- She likes singing, dancing, and painting.
- We need pens, pencils, and erasers.
- He visited Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad.
- The bag contains books, clothes, and shoes.
- The team played cricket, football, and hockey.
- She brought bread, butter, and jam.
- They met teachers, doctors, and engineers.
- The shop sells laptops, mobiles, and tablets.
- I like coffee, tea, and juice.
Rule 2: Use a comma after introductory words/phrases
Examples:
11. Yes, I will join you.
12. No, that is not correct.
13. However, he was not ready.
14. Well, let’s try again.
15. Therefore, we changed the plan.
16. Indeed, this is a great result.
17. Moreover, the work is not complete.
18. First, clean the room.
19. After lunch, we went shopping.
20. In the morning, she went jogging.
Rule 3: Use a comma before conjunctions in compound sentences
Examples:
21. She was tired, but she finished the work.
22. He wanted to come, yet he stayed home.
23. I studied hard, so I passed the exam.
24. She is intelligent, and she is hardworking.
25. The bus was late, for there was traffic.
26. We worked all day, but we enjoyed it.
27. He can speak English, or he can use Telugu.
28. They are poor, yet they are honest.
29. You may stay, or you may leave.
30. The phone rang, and she answered quickly.
Rule 4: Use commas to separate coordinate adjectives
Examples:
31. It was a long, tiring journey.
32. She wore a bright, colorful dress.
33. He is a kind, gentle man.
34. We had a hot, delicious meal.
35. It was a dark, stormy night.
36. The movie was funny, entertaining, and inspiring.
37. She is a smart, confident student.
38. The dog is a friendly, loyal pet.
39. He is a brave, strong soldier.
40. They live in a small, quiet village.
Rule 5: Use commas to set off non-essential information
Examples:
41. My brother, who lives in Delhi, is visiting us.
42. The car, which was brand new, broke down.
43. The laptop, bought last week, is expensive.
44. Our teacher, Mr. Rao, is very strict.
45. Hyderabad, known as the Pearl City, is beautiful.
46. The movie, released last year, was a hit.
47. My father, a retired officer, writes books.
48. The park, located near the lake, is very old.
49. Her dress, which is blue, looks nice.
50. The book, written by Shakespeare, is famous.
Rule 6: Use a comma with direct address
Examples:
51. Ramesh, can you help me?
52. Thank you, sir.
53. Please sit down, students.
54. Tell me, Sita, what happened.
55. Come here, children.
56. Don’t worry, my friend.
57. Yes, Madam, I understand.
58. Wait, brother, I am coming.
59. Congratulations, team.
60. Happy birthday, Anil.
Rule 7: Use commas with dates, addresses, numbers
Examples:
61. He was born on July 15, 1995.
62. Hyderabad, India, is my hometown.
63. The meeting is on March 3, 2025.
64. They moved to 123, Main Street, New York.
65. The population is 1,234,567.
66. He arrived on August 10, 2020.
67. She lives in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
68. The office is at 45, MG Road, Bengaluru.
69. The final date is April 2, 2022.
70. The number is 2,345,678.
Rule 8: Use a comma after yes/no at the beginning
Examples:
71. Yes, I understand.
72. No, that is wrong.
73. Yes, you can go.
74. No, I didn’t see him.
75. Yes, I am ready.
76. No, it’s not possible.
77. Yes, that’s true.
78. No, don’t do that.
79. Yes, I will attend.
80. No, the answer is incorrect.
Rule 9: Use commas with direct quotations
Examples:
81. She said, “I am ready.”
82. “Please wait,” he said.
83. “Is this true?” asked Sita.
84. He said, “Yes, I agree.”
85. “Don’t worry,” she replied.
86. “Good morning,” said the teacher.
87. The boy shouted, “Help me!”
88. “I love reading,” said Ravi.
89. “Where are you going?” asked mother.
90. “Come quickly,” he shouted.
Rule 10: Use commas for contrast or emphasis
Examples:
91. He was poor, not rich.
92. This is mine, not yours.
93. She is beautiful, not ugly.
94. He is tall, not short.
95. The answer is correct, not wrong.
96. It is my pen, not your pen.
97. He is strong, not weak.
98. This is gold, not silver.
99. The exam was easy, not tough.
100. The city is safe, not dangerous.
Comma Rules in English: Extra Examples (Bonus beyond 100)
- Without water, plants cannot survive. (intro phrase)
- To be honest, I was not prepared. (intro phrase)
- He is, of course, our best player. (parenthetical phrase)
- I will come, if possible, tomorrow. (non-essential phrase)
- Oh, that’s wonderful! (interjection with comma)
Tips for Students & Exam Aspirants
- Check lists carefully – Always separate 3 or more items with commas.
- Identify non-essential parts – If the sentence makes sense without it, separate with commas.
- Watch for conjunctions – In compound sentences, place commas before and, but, or, so, yet, for.
- Avoid overuse – Too many commas break the flow.
- Practice previous exam questions – Many competitive exams ask questions on punctuation and sentence correction.
- Remember “Oxford Comma” – In lists, especially in exams, using the final comma before “and” is safer.
Comma Rules in English: Conclusion
The comma rules in English are simple when understood step by step. With practice, students and competitive exam candidates can avoid mistakes and write clearly. Always remember — a misplaced comma can change the meaning completely. By following these 100+ examples of comma usage, you will master the rules easily.
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