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Commas ( , )
If you’re unsure, read the sentence out loud and listen if any pauses arise naturally. If your sentence doesn’t include a list and has several commas, separate it into shorter sentences.
When writing a list, use the serial comma (also known as the Oxford comma). We use it in order to maintain meaning in simple lists and clarity in complex lists.
✅ David admires his parents, Oprah, and Justin Timberlake.
✅ The main benefits of brand video are better engagement rates, higher viewership figures, and greater exposure on social media.
⛔ David admires his parents, Oprah and Justin Timberlake.
⛔ The main benefits of brand video are better engagement rates, higher viewership figures and greater exposure on social media.
❗ Don’t use commas to write an aside, instead use an em dash (see below).
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