Basics

The function of the comma is to show what is to be separated and what belongs together in a sentence so we can more easily understand the content.
In Danish, there are a lot of rules regarding the comma and the use of the Danish comma is heavily discussed. Most of the rules are hard-and-fast, but some are also optional as we know it from the English comma rules. When writing in Danish, one may choose to either use or not use the start comma. If you are using the start comma, you choose to put a comma in front of all subordinate clauses. It’s completely optional if you want to use the start comma or not. Some other rules regarding the Danish comma are listed below:

• Use a comma in front of “som” if it can be replaced with “der” and put a comma in front of “der” if it can be replaced by “som”
• Use a comma in front of “at” if it is NOT used as an infinitive marker
• Use commas to divide things when enumerating or making a list
• Always use a comma before “men”

It is important to be aware of punctuation – and especially commas – as meaning may depend on it, as you see from the examples below.