Punctuation   >>   Comma    Examples

Comma Rules

• A punctuation mark represented by: ,
• Used to indicate pauses between parts of a sentence or to seperate items within a list

• Separating items in a list
• Add a comma after every item, except the last one
• Adding a comma before the word "and" is optional
• example:  We bought apples, bananas, oranges, and tomatoes.
• Do not add commas if there are only 2 list items
• example:  We bought apples and bananas.

• Listing two or more adjectives (descriptions) for a noun
• Add a comma between the adjectives
• example:  What beautiful, sunny day.

• In a sentence with a conjunction, where there's a subject and verb before and after the conjunction
• Add a comma before the conjunction
• example:  I'll sit in the sand, but you may not put sun tan lotion on my shoulders.

• As a pause, after introductory words such as: yes, no, why, well...
• Add a comma after the introductory word
• example 1:  No, I will not do anymore homework!
• example 2:  Well, if you insist.

• Separating non-essential clauses (phrases) from the rest of the sentence
• example:  New York, the city that never sleeps, has a lot of nightlife.
• Note: Removing a non-essential clause from a sentence does not change the sentence's original meaning

• Separating an introductory phrase from the rest of the setence
• example:  Visiting New York for a second time, she went to a different restaurant every night.

• Dates and addresses (examples below)
• July 26th, 2013
• Friday, July 26th, 2013
• Friday, July 26th, 2013, in New York
• 1234 Main Street, Brooklyn, New York 11235
• 1234 Main Street
  Brooklyn, New York 11235

• As part of a salutation
• Start of a letter or email
• example:  Dear John,
• Start of a letter or email
• example:  Sincerely,

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