Mastering Comma Usage in Dates and Addresses

Sharon Sago explains the use of commas in dates, addresses, and series. She covers rules for separating parts of dates, addresses, and items in a series, emphasizing the importance of parallelism and clarity. The video includes practice exercises and tips for proofreading to ensure correct comma usage.

What is the rule for using commas in a date format?

• No commas are used in dates.

• Only one comma after the year if the sentence continues.

• Commas separate day, month, and year, with an additional comma if the sentence continues.

• Commas are optional in dates.

When is a comma not required between the month and the year?

• Always required.

• When the day is also mentioned.

• Never; a comma is always needed.

• When only the month and year are mentioned.

How should commas be used in an address?

• Between all address elements but not between the state and the ZIP code.

• Separate each element of the address, including after the ZIP code.

• At the beginning and end of the address only.

• Only between the city and the state.

How should commas be used when the sentence includes both a city and a ZIP code?

• Place a comma after the city and after the ZIP code.

• Place a comma only after the state if the sentence continues.

• No commas are needed.

• Commas should separate every element regardless of ZIP code.

What is a common mistake students make when using commas in addresses?

• Never using commas in addresses.

• Placing too many commas between the state and ZIP code.

• Using a comma after the house number.

• Omitting commas entirely.

What is the purpose of using commas in a series?

• To add clarity to the text.

• To confuse the reader.

• To make sentences longer.

• There is no specific purpose.

When can the comma be omitted in a series using the conjunction 'and'?

• When 'and' is used between all items.

• When listing more than three items.

• Never; commas are always necessary.

• Only at the beginning of a sentence.

What is the rule for the comma before the last 'and' in a series (Oxford comma)?

• It is optional and based on style preference.

• It is never used in English.

• It is mandatory in all forms of writing.

• Only used in non-academic writing.

In a list of adjectives before a noun, when should you not use a comma?

• When the adjectives are of different importance.

• Commas are always used between adjectives.

• When the adjective is considered part of the noun.

• When the adjectives are of equal importance.

Why is proofreading important in learning comma usage?

• To ensure correct spelling only.

• To make sure punctuation rules are applied correctly.

• To check the alignment of text.

• Proofreading is not necessary for comma usage.