When NOT to Use Commas

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—Bite-sized advice for better business writing—

May 7, 2019 

When NOT to Use Commas

“Punctuation is to words as cartilage is to bone, permitting articulation and bearing stress.” 

— John Lennard

While missing commas can create confusion, so can misused commas. To make your ideas clear and easy to read, do not use commas in the following writing situations.

Do not use a comma between a subject and a verb.

The deadline for submitting a proposal, is extended to June 15.

(In this sample, notice that the words before and after the comma are needed to form a complete sentence.)

Do not use a comma between compound predicates.

We started the van, and discovered a problem.

(A comma should not separate the subject we from the two predicates started and discovered.)

Do not use a comma between a verb and its objects.

My supervisor said I should read, The Wall Street Journal.

(In this sample, the direct object The Wall Street Journal receives the action of the verb read and should not be set off with a comma.)

Do not use a comma before an indirect quotation.

The technician said, that he would be here shortly.

(While you should use commas to set off the exact words of a speaker, do not use them when you summarize what the speaker said.)

Editor's note: Do use a comma after long introductory phrases or clauses. (This rule will come in handy in the "Play the Editor!" activity below.)

While the market has dipped recently, we expect it to recover strongly.
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Play the Editor!

Decide whether the following sentences use commas correctly. Scroll to the bottom to see answers. 

  1. We defined our marketing goal, and delegated tasks for achieving it. 
  2. After analyzing past marketing successes, we developed a strategy for our new campaign. 
  3. The campaign will increase, customer awareness of the new product line. 
  4. Our chairperson, asked us to develop a deliverables checklist and distribute it to the group. 
  5. We will create a campaign slogan, and investigate advertising options. 
  6. Isaiah is in charge of the messaging, and Lisa will find advertising platforms. 
  7. Lisa recommended, that we purchase recurring ads on popular social media platforms.
  8. While social advertising should help us target specific online audiences, we should not discount traditional advertising options.
  9. Josh said, that he’d contact some radio associates for price quotes. 
  10. When we heard back from Josh, he said, “Perhaps, we should look into other options.”
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Get More Support

Explore Write for Business online to help you decide when and where to use commas.
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Editor's Recommendation

  1. We defined our marketing goal, and delegated tasks for achieving it. (Incorrect: Do not use a comma between compound predicates.)
  2. After analyzing past marketing successes, we developed a strategy for our new campaign. (Correct: Use a comma after long introductory phrases.)
  3. The campaign will increase, customer awareness of the new product line. (Incorrect: Do not use a comma between a verb and its object.)
  4. Our chairperson, asked us to develop a deliverables checklist and distribute it to the group. (Incorrect: Do not use a comma between a subject and a verb.)
  5. We will create a campaign slogan, and investigate advertising options. (Incorrect: Do not use a comma between compound predicates.)
  6. Isaiah is in charge of the messaging, and Lisa will find advertising platforms. (Correct: Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction that connects two independent clauses.)
  7. Lisa recommended, that we purchase recurring ads on popular social media platforms. (Incorrect: Do not use a comma before an indirect quotation.)
  8. While social advertising should help us target specific online audiences, we should not discount traditional advertising options. (Correct: Use a comma after introductory clauses.)
  9. Josh said, that he’d contact some radio associates for price quotes. (Incorrect: Do not use a comma before an indirect quotation.)
  10. When we heard back from Josh, he said, “Perhaps, we should look into other options.” (Correct: Use commas to set off introductory clauses and direct quotations.)

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