We use the comma...

To separate words, phrases or clauses in a list.

  • She purchased cream, eggs, butter, salt and flour.
  • We looked in the basement, under the porch, behind the shed and in the attic.
  • Russia won the gold medal, China took home the silver, and Germany came in third place with the bronze.

To link two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction (and,but, so, or, for, nor, yet)

  • He said he was going to win, and I believed him.
  • She can speak Japanese fairly well, yet she cannot read a word of it.

After an introductory word, phrase, or clause.

  • However, most citizens did not agree with the new policy.
  • In my opinion, it was not his best performance.
  • Because he had no experience, he did not get the position.

To add a word, phrase or clause into the middle, or at the end, of a sentence.

  • Most citizens, however, did not agree with the new policy.
  • It was not, in my opinion, his best performance.
  • The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which is located on the Halifax waterfront, boasts one of the world’s finest collections of artifacts from the Titanic.

To separate information in dates.

  • She was born on Friday, June 16, 1983.

To separate information in an address.

  • Send a self-addressed envelope to 98 Torwood Street, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, E1B 2K5.

With quotation marks.

  • “Try again tomorrow,” he suggested.
  • “When I give you the signal,” she whispered, “press this button.”

Review - Commas Rules (Part 1)

Shaun explains the rules of commas.

Review - Commas Rules (Part 1)

Shaun explains the rules of commas.

Review - Commas Rules (Part 2)

Shaun explains the rules of commas.

Review - Commas Rules (Part 2)

Shaun explains the rules of commas.

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