Is There a Comma Before and After “Namely”?

Rule 1: You can place a comma before and after “namely” when it precedes a list or when you use it to clarify a previously made point.

  • Correct: She adores Mexican food, namely, tacos, quesadillas, and mole.
  • Correct: She adores Mexican food, namely tacos, quesadillas, and mole.

Rule 2: You should always put a comma after “namely” and a semicolon before it when it precedes an independent clause.

  • Correct: He enjoys preparing Japanese food; namely, he loves making sushi.
  • Incorrect: He enjoys preparing Japanese food, namely, he loves making sushi.

Rule 3: You should use a comma before “namely” when it is the first word in a subordinate element.

  • Correct: He has expertise is carpentry, namely, tables, but he works in sales.
  • Correct: He has expertise is carpentry, namely tables, but he works in sales.

Do you want to learn more about when to use a comma before and after “namely” and see some additional examples? In the rest of the article, we’ll explain the rules in more detail.

When to Use a Comma Before and After “Namely”

In this section, you can learn more about when to use a comma before and after “namely.”

Rule 1: You can put a comma after “namely” when you use it to clarify something from the preceding text or when it introduces a list.

For this structure, you will also need to include a comma before the word “namely” to indicate that it is a non-essential element in the sentence.

  • I am a fan of international cuisine, namely, French, Mexican, and Korean, and I eat out often.

If the clause is not a list, the comma after “namely” is optional. This is because you can remove the “namely clause” and the sentence is still correct. Therefore, you need a comma before it and at the end of the element:

  • Some smartphones, namely iPhones, are notoriously difficult to repair.

Furthermore, when introducing a list, people often incorrectly add a colon after “namely.” A colon essentially has the same meaning as the word “namely,” so there is no need to repeat the fact that you are introducing a list.

Rule 2: You should always use a comma after “namely” when it comes directly before an independent clause.

In these instances, you should also use a semicolon before “namely.”

  • My family always enjoys the holidays; namely, we enjoy eating Christmas dinner and exchanging gifts.
  • He works in IT; namely, he buys old computers that he refurbishes before selling them.

Rule 3: You should use a comma before “namely” when it starts a non-essential element. The comma after “namely” is optional.

In this sentence, we can remove the word “namely” and the names of the people. Therefore, you should use a comma before “namely,” and you can add a comma after “namely” to indicate a pause:

  • Several people were responsible for the vandalism, namely, breaking windows, which the security guards caught.

Here’s another example where “namely” is used in parentheses. In this case, you should place a comma after “namely”:

  • We will paint the bathroom in several colors (namely, dark shades) when I get the time.

When to Avoid a Comma With “Namely”

When Rule 4 applies, you should avoid using a comma with “namely.”

Rule 4: You shouldn’t use a comma with “namely” when referring directly to the word.

It is not common for people to use “namely” in this way. Nonetheless, in the following sentences, a comma is not required:

  • The word namely is an adverb used to add information to a sentence.
  • In written English, usage of the term namely has declined since 1900.

Conclusion

Use a comma after “namely” and a semicolon before when an independent clause follows it. E.g. “He enjoys preparing food; namely, he loves making sushi.” Include a comma before and after when “namely” is part of a non-defining element or a list. E.g. “I like food, namely, kebabs and pizza.”