Comma After “And” – Rules, Use & Examples

18.08.23 Commas Time to read: 4min

How do you like this article?

0 Reviews


Comma-01

Many students struggle with using commas correctly in academic writing, especially when it comes to the conjunction “and”. This often leads to mistakes and confusion, which is caused by not understanding the rules and exceptions that apply to comma usage. To help clarify this issue, this article will explain when to use a comma after “and”, provide examples, and cover any exceptions to the rule.

When to place a comma after “and”

In general, there is no need for a comma after “and”. Even if “and” is used as an introduction to a sentence, a comma is not placed after it. A comma after “and” is only placed when it precedes a parenthetical phrase.

Comma

Parenthetical phrase

No comma

Introductory “and”

Various Style Guides may have different rules regarding the use of commas, and some complex sentences may have exceptions to the standard comma placement rules. It’s crucial to consider whether a comma is required to ensure that your sentence is clear and comprehensive.

Comma after “and”

When a parenthetical phrase is placed between “and” and the rest of the main clause, a comma is necessary directly after “and”. I.e., the parenthetical phrase is placed between commas right after “and.” However, that is the only case when a comma after “and” is placed.

Parenthetical phrase

A comma after “and” is necessary if a parenthetical phrase follows. The parenthetical phrase appears within the sentence and can provide additional information or clarification, but is not an essential part of the sentence. Therefore, a parenthetical phrase is separated by commas, to help clarify where it begins and ends.

Examples

  • I want to visit Stockholm, Oslo, and, if time allows, Amsterdam.
  • She has the duty to prepare, observe, and, in case of damage, repair the flow.
  • He had to buy ice cubes, straws, and, as his friend reminded him, reusable cups.

All example sentences entail parenthetical phrases enclosed in commas and placed right after “and.”

No comma after “and”

No comma is placed after “and” if the word introduces a sentence. In general, a comma is never placed after this conjunction. The following illustrates examples of the word “and” introducing sentences without placing a comma subsequently.

Introductory “and”

If the word “and” introduces a sentence, a comma is generally not placed.

Examples

  • And then the sun rose above the horizon.
  • And we come to the end of another exciting chapter in our story.
  • And yet, he refused to give up on his dreams.

Note: In academic writing, starting a sentence with “and” is acceptable, but it should be used judiciously. Always consider the preferences of your audience or publication and avoid overuse to maintain clarity and impact.

Test yourself!

Practice sheet

To test your comprehension of using commas after “and”, try placing them in the appropriate positions in the 10 sentences. Afterward, check the second tab to verify if you have the correct understanding.

  1. John likes to play soccer and his sister enjoys tennis.
  2. The restaurant serves pizza, pasta, and salad and also offers vegan options.
  3. He loves reading poetry, novels, and occasionally comic books.
  4. The dog barked loudly and scared away the intruders.
  5. They covered all topics, such as schedule, budget, and to everyone’s surprise the new policy.
  6. We have a car, a bicycle, and a motorcycle and we use each one for a different purpose.
  7. The movie was both entertaining and educational and received positive reviews.
  8. The company implemented new policies and saw an increase in productivity.
  9. I visited my grandparents, uncles, and after a long journey my distant cousins.
  10. The students need to finish dusting, the dishes, and if there is time vacuum cleaning.
  1. John likes to play soccer and his sister enjoys tennis. (No comma)
  2. The restaurant serves pizza, pasta, and salad and, also, offers vegan options. (Comma)
  3. He loves reading poetry, novels, and, occasionally, comic books. (Comma)
  4. The dog barked loudly and scared away the intruders. (No comma)
  5. They covered all topics, such as schedule, budget, and, to everyone’s surprise, the new policy. (Comma)
  6. We have a car, a bicycle, and a motorcycle, and we use each one for different purposes. (No comma)
  7. The movie was both entertaining and educational and received positive reviews. (No comma)
  8. The company implemented new policies and saw an increase in productivity. (No comma)
  9. I visited my grandparents, uncles, and, after a long journey, my distant cousins. (Comma)
  10. The students need to finish dusting, the dishes, and, if there is time, vacuum cleaning. (Comma)
Print Your Thesis Now
BachelorPrint as an online printing service offers
numerous advantages for Canadian students:
  • ✓ 3D live preview of your configuration
  • ✓ Free express delivery for every order
  • ✓ High-quality bindings with individual embossing

to printing services

FAQs

If “and” is connecting two independent clauses, a comma is generally needed before the conjunction. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as when the clauses are short and closely related. On the other hand, a comma is only placed after “and” when it precedes a parenthetical phrase.

It depends on the context of the sentence if a comma is placed after “and”. It is recommended to study the rules and examples of comma usage and practice using them in sentences to get a more profound understanding of when to use a comma after “and”.

Typically, a comma after “and” is only placed when a parenthetical phrase follows. Otherwise, a comma is not placed after “and”.

From

Salome Stolle

How do you like this article?

0 Reviews
 
About the author

Salome Stolle works as the brand manager for the English market at BachelorPrint. Throughout her 12-year residency in Denmark, she completed her International baccalaureate and Master’s in Culture, Communication, and Globalization with a specialization in media and market consumption. Through this experience, she has gained advanced competencies in academic writing and a high proficiency level in the English language. With her passion for writing, she does not only deliver well-written content but also strives to adjust to the students’ demands.

Show all articles from this author
About
BachelorPrint | The #1 Online Printing Service
For Canadian Students

As a leading expert in the printing and binding of academic papers, theses, and dissertations, the BachelorPrint online printing service furnishes a diverse range of bindings and configuration options. BachelorPrint’s goal is to elicit a proud smile on every single Canadian student’s face, as they hold their ideal binding in their hands.<br/>Moreover, BachelorPrint provides numerous educational articles on insightful subjects related to academic writing in their Study Guide, assisting students during the process of writing their thesis or dissertation.


Cite This Article

Bibliography

Stolle, S. (2023, August 18). Comma After “And” – Rules, Use & Examples. BachelorPrint. https://www.bachelorprint.com/ca/commas/comma-after-and/ (retrieved 22/12/2024)

In-text citation

Parenthetical
(Stolle , 2023)
Narrative
Stolle (2023)

Bibliography

Stolle, Salome. 2023. "Comma After “And” – Rules, Use & Examples." BachelorPrint, Retrieved August 18, 2023. https://www.bachelorprint.com/ca/commas/comma-after-and/.

In-text citation

Parenthetical
(Stolle 2023)

Bibliography

Salome Stolle, "Comma After “And” – Rules, Use & Examples," BachelorPrint, August 18, 2023, https://www.bachelorprint.com/ca/commas/comma-after-and/ (retrieved December 22, 2024).

Footnotes

Short note
Stolle, "Shortened title."

Bibliography

Stolle, Salome: Comma After “And” – Rules, Use & Examples, in: BachelorPrint, 18/08/2023, [online] https://www.bachelorprint.com/ca/commas/comma-after-and/ (retrieved 22/12/2024).

Footnotes

Full note
Stolle, Salome: Comma After “And” – Rules, Use & Examples, in: BachelorPrint, 18/08/2023, [online] https://www.bachelorprint.com/ca/commas/comma-after-and/ (retrieved 22/12/2024).
Direct quote
Stolle, 2023.
Indirect quote
Stolle, 2023.

Bibliography

Stolle, Salome (2023): Comma After “And” – Rules, Use & Examples, in: BachelorPrint, [online] https://www.bachelorprint.com/ca/commas/comma-after-and/ (retrieved 22/12/2024).

In-text citation

Direct quote
(Stolle, 2023)
Indirect quote
(Stolle, 2023)
Narrative
Stolle (2023)

Bibliography

Stolle, Salome. "Comma After “And” – Rules, Use & Examples." BachelorPrint, 18/08/2023, https://www.bachelorprint.com/ca/commas/comma-after-and/ (retrieved 22/12/2024).

In-text citation

Parenthetical
(Stolle)
Narrative
Stolle

Bibliography

Number. Stolle S. Comma After “And” – Rules, Use & Examples [Internet]. BachelorPrint. 2023 [cited 22/12/2024]. Available from: https://www.bachelorprint.com/ca/commas/comma-after-and/


New articles