Comma Rule 1: Dates and Locations
Comma Rule 2:
Series
Comma Rule 3:
FANBOYS
Comma Rule 4:
Introductory Phrases
Comma Rule 5:
Nonessential Phrases
100

I was born on January 25 1998.

I was born on January 25, 1998.

100

I bought a bag of apples two gallons of milk and a chocolate cake.

I bought a bag of apples, two gallons of milk, and a chocolate cake.

100

The room was tiny and the view was not so good.

The room was tiny, and the view was not so good.

100

No this seat is not available.

No, this seat is not available.

100

Our favorite restaurant China Garden serves great egg rolls.

Our favorite restaurant, China Garden, serves great egg rolls.

200

I moved to Indiana in May 2020.

I moved to Indiana in May 2020.

200

My fat ugly cat is sweet and silly.

My fat, ugly cat is sweet and silly.

200

The bed in the room was lumpy but she fell asleep anyway.

The bed in the room was lumpy, but she fell asleep anyway.

200

In this case I think it's a good idea to use a comma.

In this case, I think it's a good idea to use a comma.

200

Bill and Helene my neighbors have been very helpful to me.

Bill and Helene, my neighbors, have been very helpful to me.

300

The next meeting is on Tuesday March 11 2025.

The next meeting is on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

300

Anna likes to read magazines text her friends and go to the mall.

Anna likes to read magazines, text her friends, and go to the mall.

300

Alex missed the ticketing deadline so his ticket was much more expensive.

Alex missed the ticketing deadline, so his ticket was much more expensive.

300

As you know it's important to study for the HiSET exam.

As you know, it's important to study for the HiSET exam.

300

Molly has a reason I suppose for skipping the meeting.

Molly has a reason, I suppose, for skipping the meeting.

400

I have lived in South Bend Indiana and London England.

I have lived in South Bend, Indiana and London, England.

400

The housesitter said that she would feed the pets take out the garbage and water the plants every day.

The housesitter said that she would feed the pets, take out the garbage, and water the plants every day.

400

She was nervous yet she didn't miss a beat.

She was nervous, yet she didn't miss a beat.

400

After the frost my delicate plants looked rather wilted.

After the frost, my delicate plants looked rather wilted.

400

The citrus grove as the picture indicates lies just beyond the house.

The citrus grove, as the picture indicates, lies just beyond the house.

500

I live at 202 Main Street South Bend Indiana 46410.

I live at 202 Main Street, South Bend, Indiana 46410.

500

The warmest sunniest months of the year are June July and August.

The warmest, sunniest months of the year are June, July, and August.

500

She must set the alarm or risk missing the train.

She must set the alarm or risk missing the train.

NO COMMA!

500

Long before the alarm clock rang Patrick was wide awake.

Long before the alarm clock rang, Patrick was wide awake.

500

Hundreds of fry or newly hatched fish darted around the small pond.

Hundreds of fry, or newly hatched fish, darted around the small pond.