Commas

Commas

Learn how to use commas in dates, series, for introductory phrases/clauses, and FANBOYS.

Commas in dates

• ■When a full date is written out, there should be a comma between the day and the year, as well as after the year if the sentence continues. 

• –I was born February 3, 1985, and it snowed that day.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses commas in a date correctly?

• Today is October 30 2020.

• Today is October 30, 2020.

• Today is October, 30, 2020.

Commas in a series

• Three or more items in a list should be separated by commas. 

• –I ate tacos, burritos, and nachos at Taco Bell.

• –She drove home from work, ate at Taco bell, and then shopped. 

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses commas in a series correctly?

• I ate a sandwich, an apple, and chips.

• I ate a sandwich an apple and chips.

• I ate a sandwich, an apple and chips.

Commas for introductory phrases and clauses

• An introductory phrase does not have a subject or a verb. They tells where, when, why, or how.

• An introductory clause tells background information for the main part of the sentence and begins with an adverb.

• To stay in shape for competition, athletes must exercise every day.

• If they want to win, athletes must exercise every day.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses commas for introductory phrases correctly?

• After dinner I will bake cookies.

• After dinner, I will bake cookies.

• After, dinner I will bake cookies.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses commas for introductory clauses correctly?

• While I was eating, I watched Netflix on my phone.

• While I was eating I watched Netflix on my phone.

• While, I was eating I watched Netflix on my phone.

Use a comma between coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) to join two complete sentences.

• For

• And

• Nor

• But

• Or

• Yet

• So

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses commas for FANBOYS correctly?

• My hamster loves to play so I gave him a hula-hoop.

• My hamster loves to play so, I gave him a hula-hoop.

• My hamster loves to play, so I gave him a hula-hoop.

Poll

Do you need more help understanding commas?

• Yes

• No