SAT commas: where they belong, and where they never go
Comma questions reward knowing a few firm rules. Learn the four places a comma belongs and the three places it never does, with a sentence-by-sentence check and quick practice.
The short version
What you'll take away
- Use commas after introductory elements, between items in a series, before and/but/so joining two sentences, and around nonessential information.
- Never put a single comma between a subject and its verb, or between a verb and its object.
- Do not put a comma before “that” when it introduces what someone said, thought, or found.
In this article
Four places a comma belongs
See the skill
Comma jobs
After an introductory element
Intro, main clause
After the storm passed, the crew inspected the roof.
Between items in a series
A, B, and C
We packed water, snacks, and maps.
Before a conjunction joining sentences
Sentence, and sentence
The trail was steep, but the view was worth it.
Around extra information
, … ,
The bridge, built in 1937, connects two cities.
Three places a comma never goes
See the skill
Does this comma belong?
| Sentence | What the comma splits | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| The results of the long study, surprised everyone. | Subject (results) from verb (surprised) | âś— Remove the comma |
| The team built, a new prototype. | Verb (built) from object (prototype) | âś— Remove the comma |
| She argued, that the plan would work. | Verb (argued) from what she argued | âś— Remove the comma |
| The results of the long study surprised everyone. | Nothing | âś“ Correct |
Try one
Your turn
Quick practice
Researchers at the observatory ___ that the comet would return in 2061. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Hint: Which words are the subject, which is the verb, and what did they predict?
Practice: try these before checking the answers
- 1. The students in the third row, asked several questions.
- 2. She explained, that the data were incomplete.
- 3. Before the meeting began the room was quiet.
- 4. We packed water snacks and maps.
Sources & further reading
One step from here
Put the idea to work.
SAT Practice helps you turn questions into useful feedback, so each session has a next step.
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