Using Commas (the most important SAT / ACT Punctuation)


A comma is without a doubt the hardest and the most important punctuation in English because there are so many different usages. 


Understand that in one sentence, there can be many different comma usages.


More importantly, DO NOT ALWAYS ERASE the information between two commas.



It is true that oftentimes, the idea between two commas is a non-essential modifier.


Ferrari, one of the most expensive cars in the world, is very popular


Ferrari, one of the most expensive cars in the world, is very popular



However, we have to understand that the information between two commas is NOT ALWAYS non-essential (removable).




Do not automatically assume. Read the sentence and check how commas are used:



Example 1


Unfortunately, he still liked her, even though she had rejected him.


Unfortunately, he still liked her, even though she had rejected him.



Erasing ‘he still liked her’ wouldn't make any sense. There are two commas here because one is used to separate the transition (or the adverb) “unfortunately” from the main sentence, while the other is used to separate the sentence and the modifier beginning with “even though.”



Example 2


I bought some apples, grapes, and pears.


I bought some apples, grapes, and pears.



The commas here are used to list. We cannot cross out one item.







Now, let’s learn about basic comma usages.



Basic Comma Usages



1. To separate an adverb/modifier before a sentence



Yesterday, I sang a song.


In the morning, I sang a song.


When I was young, I cried a lot.


Although he was happy, he wanted more.



No comma is generally used when an adverb/modifier is used after a sentence.


I sang a song, in the morning.          (incorrect)


I sang a song in the morning.          (correct)



I like her, because she is kind.          (incorrect)


I like her because she is kind.          (correct)



However, a comma is used when the modifier at the end of the sentence is a CONTRAST.


I like Jane, not Jenny.


I like to work fast, while Mike likes to work slowly. 




2. To separate a transition from a sentence



Transition, sentence


sentence, transition


S, transition, V 



However, I was wrong.


I was wrong, however.


I, however, was wrong.



Used correctly, transitions can come in the beginning, middle, and end. Three sentences above have the same meaning.




3. To connect two sentences with FANBOYS


Sentence, FANBOYS sentence


I went to see her, but she was not home. (correct)


I went to see her but she was not home. (incorrect)




4. To list (more than 3)



I bought a Ferrari, a Lamborghini, and a Rolls-Royce.


I play, sing, and dance.





5. To separate a non-essential modifier


(arguably the most important usage in the SAT and the ACT)



Example 1:


Jack, a boy from Hong Kong, is generous.


Jack, a boy from Hong Kong, is generous.



Example 2:


I know Jack, a boy from Hong Kong.


I know Jack, a boy from Hong Kong.



*Here, example 2 is more important. As you can see, it is never about the number of commas that turns the information into a modifier. We can still erase ‘a boy from Hong Kong’ in the second example, even though there is only one comma.




6. To separate adjectives when order doesn't matter



It was a long, cold winter.


It was a cold, long winter.


In this case, adding "and" without a comma is also possible.


It was a cold and long winter.



However, when the order is important, it doesn't work.


I have a white, cotton shirt. (incorrect)


I have a white cotton shirt. (correct)



*This concept is important to know because some difficult punctuation questions involve this usage. However, we do not need to know which adjectives apply to this rule.


Simply knowing that it is possible to put a comma between two adjectives is enough for the SAT and the ACT because there will always be other clear information that will help us distinguish between correct and incorrect answer.

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