Rule 1: Use a comma before “like” when it is the first word of a non-essential element in a sentence.
- Correct: She had a raging temper, like me, that got her into a lot of trouble.
- Incorrect: She had a raging temper like me that got her into a lot of trouble.
Rule 2: Use a comma before “like” when you use it as a filler term.
- Correct: I just can’t believe that, like, we got lost again.
- Incorrect: I just can’t believe that like we got lost again.
Rule 3: Do not put a comma before “like” when you use it as a verb.
- Correct: She likes us to arrive at 2 pm on Sundays.
- Incorrect: She, likes us to arrive at 2 pm on Sundays.
Rule 4: Do not use a comma before “like” when it means “similar to.”
- Correct: She looks like her grandmother.
- Incorrect: She looks, like her grandmother.
Please carry on reading to see more examples of when you should and shouldn’t include a comma before “like.”
When to Use a Comma Before “Like”
When you need to decide when to use a comma before “like,” you should refer to Rules 1 and 2.
Rule 1: Use a comma before “like” when it starts a non-essential part of the sentence.
Regarding comparisons, they are sometimes essential and sometimes non-essential. Therefore, you should add a comma when the comparison is necessary.
- He sleeps a lot, like a sloth.
- He has always slept a lot, like his father.
Also, when using “like” in a list. If the list is unnecessary for the sentence to make sense, you should put a comma.
In this example, we do not need to know the specific countries to see that he worked in various countries.
- He worked in many countries, like Peru, Colombia, and Brazil.
Rule 2: Use a comma before “like” when you use it as a filler word.
Filler words are informal and shouldn’t be used in formal writing. However, “like” is a standard filler, especially in speech.
- I couldn’t, like, believe what I was seeing.
- She told me, like, that she wanted to break up.
When to Avoid a Comma Before “Like”
The following rules inform and provide examples of when you need to use a comma before “like.”
Rule 3: You shouldn’t use a comma before “like” when it is a verb.
One of the most common uses for the word “like” is to specify what you “want” or things that you “enjoy” or view favorably. In these instances, you should not use a comma.
- She likes her job a lot, but the salary is very low.
- We like to walk in the park every evening.
Rule 4: You shouldn’t use a comma before “like” when it is a preposition that means “similar to.”
In these sentences, the word “like” is vital to the meaning, so you should not use a comma.
- She must change her attitude to be more like her sister.
- This place looks quite like my old place but a little more modern.
Furthermore, “like” can also be a conjunction that connects two clauses. In these instances, you should not put a comma before “like.”
- She seems like a nice person.
- It seems like it is going to be a lovely day.
Conclusion
You should use a comma before “like” when it is the first word in a non-essential element, often a list or comparison. Also, use a comma when it is a filler word. The rest of the time, “like” generally does not require that you put a comma.