English Tips. Comma rules (transcription).

Comma rule 1. 

We use commas to separate a series of words like nouns, adjectives, or verbs in a sentence. 

For example: 

I invited Mark, Serena, Lauren, and Jack to my party.

Here, we have four different nouns, and we have to separate these nouns by adding a comma after each one. 

Her boyfriend made salmon, rice, and salad for dinner. 

Now, let's look at an example using adjectives. 

My mom is beautiful, generous, kind, and selfless.

We went jet skiing, hiking, and swimming at the resort last summer.

Comma rule 2. 

We use a comma to separate a series of phrases in a sentence. This is similar to rule number 1, but instead of separating individual words in a list, we have to separate a series of phrases. 

For example. 

Jose cleaned the bathroom, did the laundry, and read a book before bed.

I have to go to the bank, go grocery shopping, and take the kids to school in the morning. 

Note that we only add commas after the phrases before the conjunction and not the phrase after the conjunction.

Rule number 3. 

Use a comma to separate independent clauses when they are joined by the following conjunctions: 

for, 

and, 

nor, 

but, 

or, 

yet, 

so. 

An independent clause is a sentence that is a complete thought. It is a standalone sentence. 

For example.

Dad is renovating the kitchen, and mom is painting the living room.

"Dad is renovating the kitchen." This is an independent clause. It's a complete sentence, and "Mom is painting the living room" is also a complete sentence. So we have to use a comma to separate these sentences when they are joined by the conjunction "and". 

They want to get married one day, but they need to work on their relationship first.

So again, we use a comma to separate independent clauses when they're joined by any of these conjunctions here.

Rule number 4.

Use commas after introductory clauses, phrases, or words that come before the main clause. 

Examples. 

While I was watching TV, the doorbell rang. 

The main clause is "the doorbell rang." This is an independent clause. But "while I was watching TV" introduces the main clause, so we have to use a comma. 

To lose weight before summer, Jane started a diet and exercise plan. 

Both of these are dependent clauses, and we have to use a comma after the dependent clause before joining it with the independent clause. 

After thinking long and hard, Tony decided to break up with Bethany.

Fortunately, no one was injured in the car accident.

Sadly, I won't be able to attend your graduation. 

In all of these examples, you can see that the main clause is an independent clause, and the sentence can function by itself. So we have to add a comma after these introductory clauses, phrases, and words to combine it with the independent clause.

Rule number 5. 

Use a comma after "yes" and "no" when they begin a statement. 

No, I didn't break the window. 

Yes, I'm coming to the club tonight.

Rule number 6. 

Use a comma when directly addressing someone in a sentence. 

Mr. Jones, may I use the washroom?

Mom, can you make spaghetti for dinner?

Bob, I won't be able to make it to your party.

Rule number 7. 

Use a comma to separate a quotation from the rest of a sentence. So, in American English, commas always go before closing quotation marks. 

"She can't come tomorrow," he said. 

Jesse exclaimed, "You're the best ever!" 

So remember to use a comma to separate a quotation from the rest of a sentence.

Rule number 8.

Use commas to separate multiple adjectives that describe or modify the same noun when the word "and" can be placed between them. 

For example.

She is a funny, intelligent woman. 

Because we can say "she is a funny and intelligent woman," we have to separate these two adjectives by adding a comma. 

It was a long, hard day.

Again, because we can say "It was a long and hard day," we have to use a comma to separate these adjectives because they're describing the same noun.

Rule number 9.

Use a comma to separate the name of a city from a country or state. 

They are spending their holidays in Toronto, Ontario. Have you ever been to Paris, France? 

Now let's look at these two answers. If you said, "I went to Paris, France, last year," you have to put two different commas: the comma after the city and also after the country or state. 

However, in case "I went to Paris last year." Because this is just one word, we do not have to use a comma. And if we ended it, "I went to Paris, France" it would just be a period. But because we have "last year," we have to add a comma after the country as well.

And finally, rule number 10. 

Use a comma to separate the day of the week, the day of the month, and the year. 

Today is Tuesday, October 5, 2021.

The concert is on January 1, 2022.

So make sure to add a comma to separate the day of the week, the day of the month, and the year.