Using Commas in Lists:
First, commas separate items when we list more than two things. For example, if I say, ‘I need to buy bread, milk, and eggs from the store,’ commas make sure we know each item I’m talking about. Another example is, ‘In my bag, I have a book, a pen, and a notebook.’
Commas Before And, But, or So:
Sometimes, we join two short sentences into one with words like ‘and’, ‘but’, or ‘so’. We put a comma before these words. Like this: ‘It was raining, but we went hiking anyway.’ Or, ‘She studied hard, so she passed her test.’
Commas After the Start of a Sentence:
When we begin a sentence with a little introduction or a starter word, we use a comma right after. For example, ‘On Saturday, we’re going to the beach.’ Another one: ‘Sadly, the game was canceled.’
Commas for Extra Information:
Commas also help us add extra information that’s nice to know but not necessary. Like in, ‘My friend, who is a great cook, made dinner for us.’ Or, ‘The park, which is usually quiet, was noisy today.’
Commas in Addresses and Dates:
We use commas to break up parts of addresses and dates. In an address, it looks like this: ‘She lives in Austin, Texas, and loves it.’ For a date, we say, ‘His birthday is on September 21, 1990.’
Commas in Speech:
When we write what someone says, we use a comma before the quote. For example: ‘He said, ‘I’ll be there soon.” And, ‘She asked, ‘Did you see my keys?”’
Commas When Talking to Someone:
If we write someone’s name in a sentence because we’re talking to them, we put a comma before or after the name. Like, ‘Are you coming, Sarah?’ Or, ‘Mike, it’s your turn.’
Conclusion:
Commas are small but mighty. They help our writing stay neat and easy to read. Remember these tips about using commas, and you’ll find writing easier and more fun.
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