1. Commas in Series and Lists Series of Words –Would you prefer the poster printed in yellow, blue, green, or purple? Series of Phrases –He first spoke to Julio, then called his roommate, and finally phoned me. Series of Clauses –She never dreamed she’s be in the movies, she hadn’t even tried out for a part, and she was sure she didn’t have enough talent to act.

2. Commas with Dates Month-Day-Year Order –June 12, 2009, –The order was shipped out on September 2, 2004, and not received until May 12, 2005. Day-Month-Year or Month-Year – No Commas Needed –12 June 2009 June 2009 –The application deadline was 15 August 2010 for all students.

3. Commas in Addresses Use Comma between City and State –Jim Johnson Jr. 1436 Westwood Drive Goose Creek, SC 83900 In a Sentence Use Comma at End of Each Element of Address –You can write to Jim Johnson Jr., 1436 Westwood Drive, Goose Creek, SC 83900, for more information.

4. Commas with Geographical Names Put Commas after Each Item in Location Name –The planning committee has decided that Chicago, Illinois, will be the site for the year’s conference and Washington, D.C., for next year’s meeting.

5. Commas with Numbers Separate Long Numbers into Groups of Three from Right to Left –4,300,150 27,000 Commas with Four-Digit Number Optional –4,401 or 4401 No Commas in Zip Codes or Street Addresses

6. Other Uses for Commas To Prevent Confusion –To John Harrison had been a sort of idol. To John, Harrison had been a sort of idol. –On Thursday morning orders will be handled by Jim. On Thursday, morning orders will be handled by Jim. On Thursday morning, orders will be handled by Jim.

7. Other Uses for Commas To Set Off Sharply Contrasted Element at End of Sentence –He was merely ignorant, not hateful. To Set Off Question –You’re one of the senator’s closest aids, are’t you? To Set Off Phrases at End of Sentence that Refer to Beginning or Middle –Shaundra waved enthusiastically at the departing boat, laughing happily.

8. Other Uses for Commas To Set Off Direct Quotation –Becky said, “I’ll see you tomorrow. To Set Off First Part of Quotation –“I forgot, “ Ed explained, “to complete the assignment.” To Set Off Greeting in Personal Letter –Dear David, To Set Off Closing of Letter –Sincerely yours, Sincerely,

9. Unnecessary Commas Don’t Separate Subject from Verb –The eighteen-year-old in most states, is considered an adult. Don’t Use Commas between Elements that Are Not Independent Clauses –Marie discovered radium, and applied her work on radioactivity to medicine. –Jake still doesn’t understand that his illness is serious and that he will have to alter his diet.

10. Unnecessary Commas Don’t Use to Set Off Concluding Adverb Clause Essential to Sentence –Don’t visit Paris at the height of the tourist season, unless you have booked a hotel. Nonessential Adverb Clause Ending Sentence Require Comma –The lecture seemed to last only a short time, although the clock said it had gone on for more than an hour