commas

Commas - when to use them - towns, dates, lists and coordinating conjunctions

​

Use a comma to separate any two named places - such as a town and a state, a city and a state, a city and a country, or a county and a state.

• Harrison, New York

• White Plains, New York

• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

• Westchester County, New York

• San Francisco, California

• Montreal, Canada

When writing dates, use a comma between the day and the year.

• March 5, 2021

• December 7, 1993

and between the day of the week and the month.

• Monday, March 8, 2021

• Friday, July 31, 1997

Multiple Choice

Which one has the comma in the correct spot?

• Paris France

• Paris France,

• Paris, France

Multiple Choice

Which one has the comma in the correct spot?

• Mount, Kisco New York

• Mount Kisco, New York

• Mount Kisco New, York

• Mount Kisco New York,

Multiple Choice

Which one has the comma in the correct spot?

• Stamford, Connecticut

• Stamford Connecticut

• Stamford Connecticut,

Multiple Choice

Which one has the comma in the correct spot?

• June 5 2012

• June, 5 2012

• June 5, 2012

• June 5 2012,

Multiple Choice

Which one has the comma in the correct spot?

• November 8 2008

• November, 8 2008

• November 8, 2008

• November 8 2008,

Multiple Choice

Which one has the comma in the correct spot?

• Wednesday, March 10, 2021

• Wednesday March, 10, 2021

• Wednesday March 10, 2021

• Wednesday March 10 2021

Multiple Choice

Which one has the comma in the correct spot?

• Tuesday, March 9, 2021

• Tuesday March, 9, 2021

• Tuesday March 9, 2021

• Tuesday March 9 2021

When listing 2 things, use the word and (no comma needed).

When listing more than 2 things, use and as well as a comma.

• ketchup and mustard

• ketchup, mustard and coleslaw

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses a comma correctly?

• My dad made me pasta chicken and brussels sprouts for dinner.

• My dad made me, pasta chicken and brussels sprouts for dinner.

• My dad made me pasta, chicken and brussels sprouts for dinner.

• My dad made me pasta chicken, and brussels sprouts for dinner.

• My dad made me pasta chicken and brussels sprouts, for dinner.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses a comma correctly?

• My best friends are Tiffany Kim and Kelly.

• My best friends, are Tiffany Kim and Kelly.

• My best friends are Tiffany, Kim and Kelly.

• My best friends are Tiffany Kim and, Kelly.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses a comma correctly?

• June July and August are summer in New York.

• June, July and August are summer in New York.

• June July and, August are summer in New York.

• June July and August, are summer in New York.

If you want to combine 2 sentences (with subjects and predicates), you can do so with a conjunction such as: but, although, yet, or, so, and however. When you do, you will need a comma.

• We were all ready to go, but my grandma said she needed to feed the cat first.

• We can take your car, although my car is faster.

If you use one of the conjunctions to combine 2 things, but they are NOT both sentences (one is missing a subject), then you don't need a comma.

• We can go to your house or my house.

• My dog is friendly but barks a lot.

What do you notice about these two sentences?

She is smart but silly.

She is smart, but she is silly.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

• He is kind but tough.

• He is kind, but tough.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

• He is tough but he is kind.

• He is tough, but he is kind.

• He is tough but, he is kind

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

• I thought it was apple juice but it was ginger ale.

• I thought it was apple juice, but it was ginger ale.

• I thought it was apple, juice, but it was ginger ale.

Use a comma after an introductory clause (which is not a complete sentence). Introductory clauses can start with words such as: after, although, as, because, before, if, since, though, until and when.

• While walking downtown, I saw my friend.

• Before the movie starts, let's get popcorn.

• After my zoom ends, I will go outside.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is correct?

• If you need me, I will be home in 5 minutes.

• If, you need me I will be home in 5 minutes.

• If you need me I will be home in 5 minutes.

• If you need me I will, be home in 5 minutes.

Multiple Choice

Because I like you I will give you some of my candy.

• Because I like, you I will give you some of my candy.

• Because I like you, I will give you some of my candy.

• Because I like you I will, give you some of my candy.

Multiple Choice

Although we look alike we are not sisters.

• Although, we look alike we are not sisters.

• Although we look alike, we are not sisters.

• Although we look alike we are not, sisters.

• Although we look alike we are not sisters.