Commas to separrate items in a series.
I bought apples oranges bananas and grapes.
I bought apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes.
I wanted to go outside but it was raining.
I wanted to go outside, but it was raining.
“I’m leaving now” she said.
“I’m leaving now,” she said.
After school I went to the gym.
After school, I went to the gym.
My brother who lives in Toronto is visiting.
My brother, who lives in Toronto, is visiting.
She enjoys soccer basketball baseball and hockey.
She enjoys soccer, basketball, baseball, and hockey.
She studied for the test and she felt prepared.
She studied for the test, and she felt prepared.
He said “We should start the project soon.”
He said, “We should start the project soon.”
In the morning we have an assembly.
In the morning, we have an assembly.
The movie which we watched last night was amazing.
The movie, which we watched last night, was amazing.
For the project you need paper glue scissors markers and tape.
For the project, you need paper, glue, scissors, markers, and tape.
He didn’t finish his homework so he couldn’t go out.
He didn’t finish his homework, so he couldn’t go out.
“I can’t believe it” he shouted “we won!”
“I can’t believe it,” he shouted, “we won!”
Before the game started the players warmed up.
Before the game started, the players warmed up.
Madame Amélie our English teacher loves poetry.
Madame Amélie, our English teacher, loves poetry.
My goals are to graduate with honors travel across Europe and start my own business.
My goals are to graduate with honors, travel across Europe, and start my own business.
They practiced all week yet they didn’t win the game.
They practiced all week, yet they didn’t win the game.
“If you study hard” the teacher said “you will succeed.”
“If you study hard,” the teacher said, “you will succeed.”
While walking through the park I saw a deer.
While walking through the park, I saw a deer.
My friend Sarah who plays piano is performing tonight.
My friend Sarah, who plays piano, is performing tonight.
We visited Paris France Rome Italy and Madrid Spain.
We visited Paris, France, Rome, Italy, and Madrid, Spain.
Choose the correct version:
A) I was tired but I stayed up late.
B) I was tired, but I stayed up late.
Correct answer: B) I was tired, but I stayed up late.
Fix the punctuation: “What time is it?” she asked.
“What time is it?” she asked.
(Correct as is—no comma needed because of the question mark)
Although it was difficult she finished the assignment on time.
Although it was difficult, she finished the assignment on time.
The car that is parked outside belongs to my neighbor.
The car that is parked outside belongs to my neighbor.
No commas → “that” makes it essential information.