It can be tricky to know proper comma usage in your writing. The comma is one of the most used punctuation marks, but following all the rules for them can be tricky. Making things harder, there are times when commas are optional.
Items in a Series
When you're listing off a number of items in a sentence, set them apart with commas. For example, "She bought peas, carrots, asparagus, and broccoli."
You don't always need a comma before the word "and." In formal writing, like school projects, it should always be there. In publishing, journalism and some business writing, comma usage may not be needed. Get in the habit of using a comma before the last "and" or "or" in a list; it's easier to break the habit than to start it.
Dates
When you are writing out a date with a month, day and year, a comma is placed after the day, as in July 4, 1776. If you are writing a date that is just a month and year, then no comma is used, as in August 2009. If the date appears in the middle of a sentence and has a comma, use a comma after the year. For example, "On September 5, 1998, I went to my first day of school."
Setting off Nonessential Elements in a Sentence
Often writers will include a phrase in a sentence that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. This phrase could clarify the sentence's meaning or provide additional information. These phrases are set apart with commas. For example, "Mrs. Roberts, our teacher, gives lots of homework."
Before a Conjunction Introducing an Independent Clause
When writing a sentence in which an independent clause in preceded by a conjunction, such as and, or, but or while, you must place a comma before the conjunction. For example: "I want to go to the park, but it is raining."
When no conjunction is used, do not use a comma to join independent clauses. In this case, use a semicolon instead. For example: They loved going to the park; it's so lovely there this time of year."
After Mild Interjections
A comma is sometimes used after an interjection in a sentence, when the feeling to be conveyed is not strong enough for an exclamation mark. For example, "Well, you sure are good at checkers."
Before a Direct Quotation
When quoting someone directly, you must set the quotation apart with a comma. For example: "My mother always said, 'Don't play ball in the house!'"
Many students find that, like in other aspects of good writing, learning to use commas properly takes practice. In time, most writing students grow to get a feel for proper punctuation, so don't fret if you struggle with commas at first.
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