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Learn how to properly use commas to express dates, city/state information, nonessential phrases, provide clarity, and separate numbers. This guide will help you avoid common punctuation mistakes and improve your writing clarity.
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Commas You’d Like to Know Date, City/State, Nonessential, Clarity, and Number
Date • When expressing a date using the month, day, and year, set off the year with commas. However, no commas are used if you have only month and day or month and year. • On December 20, 199_, I will fly home. • They will be married December 11, 2000, in the Salt Lake Temple. • BUT On June 1 we will celebrate.
Nonessential non • Set off a nonessential phrase or clause with commas. • HINT--they usually begin with a w • who, which, when, where, wherever, whenever • The boy, who is three or four years old, is always knocking on my door. • The city by the beach, where we had the flat tire, is only a bad memory.
More nonessential non • If the phrase or clause is essential to the sentence, do not use commas. • The check that is on the shelf is yours; the check that is on the table is mine. • BUT • Your check, which is still lying on the shelf, is collecting dust.
Clarity Clar • When the sentence would otherwise be misread and no other comma rule applies, use a clarity comma. • We would have, had we only known. • In August, Augusta married Merl. • While eating, the man had a heart attack. • While walking, the baby fell down the stairs.
Number no. • In most numbers over 9999 use a comma. • BYU accepted 26,756 students. • All of the 256,999 members voted. • Sam paid $26,750 for his new pickup. • Do not use commas in Social Security, account, or telephone numbers. • His telephone number is 529-1111.
Numbers continued • Tell your class an example of the number comma rule.
You Identify Which Rule • Home, where I learned to walk and talk, will always hold a special place in my heart. • Can you help me, Sue? • In May, May will go to England.
Do These Need Commas? • On October 11 I was born. • On November 3 35987 people voted. • Roger Reid who is the former BYU coach found a new job. • George Smith who is now the Office Education Department Chairman is in Room 229A.
You did a great job on the party and Sue superbly cooked the dinner. • We went to the movie however our roommates went shopping. • While you were sleeping the earth quaked. • Martin Brown who is now the President of Snow College is a nice man. • She runs you swim and he hikes.