The 8 basic comma rules are: 1) use commas to separate items on a list, 2) to separate certain parts of a date, 3) to separate direct quotations, 4) to separate independent clauses, 5) to set off certain words, 6) to set off participial phrases, 7) after an introductory clause or phrase, and 8) between certain parts of an address.

Put commas between items in a list. When giving a short and simple list of things in a sentence, the last comma (right before the conjunction–usually and or or) is optional, but it is never wrong. If the items in the list are longer and more complicated, you should always place a final comma before the conjunction.

Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.

When you have a list that contains more than two elements, use commas to separate them. Julie loves ice cream books and kittens. Julie loves ice cream, books, and kittens. Julie loves ice cream, books and kittens. (The comma before the and in a list of three or more items is optional. See below, under “Serial comma,” for more information.)