• Handbook Index
• Improving Your Writing Style
• Stages of the Writing Process
• Common Writing Assignments
• Grammar and Punctuation
• • Using Dashes
  • Using Commas
  • Using Semicolons
  • Using Coordinating Conjunctions
  • Using Conjunctive Adverbs
  • Subject-Verb Agreement
  • How to Proofread
  • Twelve Common Errors: An Editing Checklist
  • Clear, Concise Sentences
• Cite References in Your Paper
• Writing Center Home

8. Superfluous commas

Unnecessary commas make sentences difficult to read.

Unclear:

Field trips are required, in several courses, such as, botany and geology.

Clear:

Field trips are required in several courses, such as botany and geology.

Unclear:

The term, "scientific illiteracy," has become almost a cliche, in educational circles.

Clear:

The term "scientific illiteracy" has become almost a cliche in educational circles.

For more information on commas see Commas: Punctuating Restrictive and Non-restrictive Modifiers and Punctuating Coordinating Conjunctions and Sentence Adverbs, or take one of the free grammar, style, and style classes offered by the Writing Center.