Commas in a Series
Essential Question
When we write about more than one thing at a time, how do commas help us avoid confusion?
Grammar in the World
What Do I Know?
What do you already know about using commas to make your meaning clear in writing? Use this interactive exercise to find out.
Building Blocks
Grammar is a complex system and structure of language. Mizzou Academy Grammar Lab spotlights one skill (or block) at a time, but it’s often helpful to see how a skill works together with other, related blocks to build the language structure as a whole. You may find the following resource topics helpful as context for this lesson:
Learn About Commas in a Series
Commas indicate places in a sentence where the reader should take a short pause. When a sentence uses a series of words or phrases, those short pauses help readers see which words go together and where words or ideas should be separated.
Joining adjectives or adverbs
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Use a comma to join a series (two or more) of adjectives or adverbs that modify the same word and that are not already joined by a conjunction. |
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adjectives |
No running back could get past that fierce, fast linebacker. The wide receiver with his quick, sure, steady hands would have to go long to make the play.
Exception: Cumulative adjectives Do not use commas when two or more adjectives work as a unit and must appear together or in exact order to make sense:
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adverbs |
The pitcher skeptically, patiently, cooly kept his eye on the second-base runner to keep him from attempting a steal. |
Separating three or more items
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Use commas to separate the items in any series that contains three or more items: words, phrases, or clauses. |
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nouns |
Before I could use my new skateboard, I had to buy a helmet, knee pads, and wrist guards. |
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adjectives |
Jessie searched ads for a newer, faster, cheaper bike. |
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verbs |
I study, train, practice, and review because that’s what it takes to make the varsity team. |
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adverbs |
Improving my personal best race time means working steadily, consistently, and purposefully. |
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prepositions |
To make it through the obstacle course, you will need to go over, under, or around a 6-foot wall. |
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phrases |
Some people don’t think cheerleading is a sport, but just like athletes, cheerleaders practice and train every day, perform a skill through physical exertion, and compete at both the local and national level. |
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dependent clauses |
Coach promised us that during our road trip to Nationals we could eat wherever we want, whenever we want, and with whomever we want. |
Common Errors
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Common Errors |
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Don’t use a comma in a series of two adjectives or adverbs that are already joined by a conjunction. |
No running back could get past that fierce, and fast linebacker. No running back could get past that fierce, fast linebacker. No running back could get past that fierce and fast linebacker. The pitcher skeptically, and patiently kept his eye on the second-base runner to keep him from attempting a steal. The pitcher skeptically, patiently kept his eye on the second-base runner to keep him from attempting a steal. The pitcher skeptically and patiently kept his eye on the second-base runner to keep him from attempting a steal. |
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Don’t use a comma between the last adjective or adverb in a series and the word it modifies. |
Jessie searched ads for a newer, faster, cheaper, bike. Jessie searched ads for a newer, faster, cheaper bike. I will have to steadily, consistently, and purposefully, train in order to make the varsity team. I will have to steadily, consistently, and purposefully train in order to make the varsity team. |
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Don’t use commas by themselves to separate a series of two or more complete sentences. |
Mom wants my brother to play football, she wants me to run track. Mom wants my brother to play football; she wants me to run track. Mom wants my brother to play football, but she wants me to run track Ice hockey requires skill and precision, it also is a hard-contact sport, games have a lot of fights. Ice hockey requires skill and precision, but it also is a hard-contact sport where games have a lot of fights. Ice hockey requires skill and precision; it also is a hard-contact sport, and games have a lot of fights. |
The Oxford Comma
The Oxford Comma (also called the serial comma) is the comma that appears before the last item in the list before a conjunction (and/or).
There is debate about whether the Oxford Comma is necessary or whether it should be omitted, and there’s not one definitive rule that everyone agrees on.
To determine whether you need the Oxford Comma in a sentence, remember that the purpose for using commas in a series is to be clear. Don’t risk misunderstanding. If the Oxford Comma helps to avoid possible confusion, it’s probably best to include it. For example:
Do I Get It?
What have you learned about using commas in a series to make your meaning clear? Use this interactive to find out.