If you are writing an essay, letter or just a postcard in English, then most likely you will have to put a comma somewhere. In order not to guess and avoid any mistakes, just remember a few easy rules and your texts will become a little more beautiful.

1. Between enumerations

A comma is placed between homogeneous members, even before the last of them, even if it is preceded by the union and (as opposed to the Russian language).

I’ve been to Spain, France, Italy, and Germany.

2. To highlight introductory words and phrases

Introductory words are such as:

• In addition
• In other words
• Finally
• Unfortunately
• However
• Therefore
• Nonetheless
• Also
• Frankly speaking
• Otherwise
• Instead
• Thus
• Of course
• Above all
• For example
• As a result
• On the other hand
• In conclusion

Unfortunately, he was out.

Frankly speaking, our research was conducted without necessary accuracy.

3. To highlight explanations that interrupt a sentence

She is, as you have probably noticed, a very attractive and smart young lady.

4. In a complex sentence, if the main part has a dependent one

If you are not sure about this, let me know now.

If the main clause comes first, then the comma is not put in front of the subordinate clause.

Let me know now if you are not sure about this.

6. To highlight direct speech

She said, “I don’t know.” “Why,” he asked, “do you offend me again?”

7. To separate opposites

This is entirely my fault, not yours.

8. If the sentence starts with “well,” “yes,” “no,” “now.”

Yes, I do understand you. Well, let’s start our presentation.

9. To highlight words such as "therefore" and "however" if they are in the middle of a sentence.

I would, therefore, like a response.

I would be happy, however, to visit Ireland.

10. To separate the two parts of a non-union complex sentence

The weather was cold, the sky was grey, rain began.

11. To separate two parts of a complex sentence, connected by unions such as and / but.

They wanted to purchase a new car, but they could not afford it. I’m going to the cinema this evening, and I have to buy a ticket.

12. To highlight the appeal, as in Russian

Jenny, where is my report?

13. When writing dates - after the day of the month and after the year

She was born on June 7, 2001, in Moscow.

If some part of the date is omitted, no comma is used.

They met in December 2003 in Kiev.

14. To separate the city from the state and after the state

I lived in San Diego, California, for 10 years.

15. After addressing at the beginning of the letter

Dear Mr Davis, we’ve received your letter.

At the end of the letter, a comma is also placed before the signature.

Sincerely yours, Robert Smith

Also, in a separate article, we have analyzed the cases when a comma is not put in English.