Use of Commas in Series, Dates, Addresses, Quotations, and Dialogue
The basic rules for using commas in series, dates, addresses, quotations, and dialogue, with worksheets to help reinforce learning.
Commas in a Series
Use commas to separate items in a series.
When the last two elements of the series are joined by a conjunction, a comma should appear before the conjunction. This is known as the Oxford commma.
Example:
Peter, James, and John
Commas in Dates
When the date is written in the month-day-year style, put a comma between the day and year.
A comma is not needed when:
the date is written in the day-month-year style
only the month and year are given
Examples:
March 16, 1521
16 March 1521
March 1521
Commas in Addresses
Use commas to set off individual elements in addresses.
Example:
12 Carrer d’Arístides Maillol, Barcelona, Spain
Commas in Quotations and Dialogue
Use a comma before a quotation (unless it is introduced by that, whether, or a similar conjunction).
Place commas (as well as periods) before closing quotation marks.
Examples:
L.R. Knost wrote, “When little people are overwhelmed by big emotions, it’s our job to share our calm, not to join their chaos.”
“Fine,” he said with a weary shrug. “Make me your villain.”
Comma Worksheets
Use the worksheets to below to reinforce what you’ve learned.
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