{"id":4254,"date":"2013-06-29T03:12:26","date_gmt":"2013-06-29T03:12:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=4254"},"modified":"2026-03-25T11:54:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T16:54:13","slug":"common-comma-functions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/common-comma-functions\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Comma Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t<div id=\"mmDeferVideoEncompass_iTtUiNSL-aU\" style=\"position: relative;\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"> \n\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" id=\"videoThumbnailImage_iTtUiNSL-aU\" data-source-videoID=\"iTtUiNSL-aU\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" alt=\"Common Comma Usage Video\" height=\"464\" width=\"825\" class=\"size-full\" data-matomo-title = \"Common Comma Usage\">\n\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style>img#videoThumbnailImage_iTtUiNSL-aU:hover {cursor:pointer;} img#videoThumbnailImage_iTtUiNSL-aU {background-size:contain;background-image:url(\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/120-Common-Comma-Usage-1.webp\");}<\/style>\n\t\t\t<script defer>\n\t\t\t  jQuery(\"img#videoThumbnailImage_iTtUiNSL-aU\").click(function() {\n\t\t\t\tlet videoId = jQuery(this).attr(\"data-source-videoID\");\n\t\t\t\tlet helpTag = '<div id=\"mmDeferVideoYTMessage_iTtUiNSL-aU\" style=\"display: none;position: absolute;top: -24px;width: 100%;text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;font-size: small;border-top: 1px solid #fc0;\">Having trouble? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v='+videoId+'\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to watch on YouTube.<\/a><\/span><\/div>';\n\t\t\t\tlet tag = document.createElement(\"iframe\");\n\t\t\t\ttag.id = \"yt\" + videoId;\n\t\t\t\ttag.src = \"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/\" + videoId + \"?autoplay=1&controls=1&wmode=opaque&rel=0&egm=0&iv_load_policy=3&hd=0&enablejsapi=1\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.frameborder = 0;\n\t\t\t\ttag.allow = \"autoplay; fullscreen\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.width = this.width;\n\t\t\t\ttag.height = this.height;\n\t\t\t\ttag.setAttribute(\"data-matomo-title\",\"Common Comma Usage\");\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_iTtUiNSL-aU\").html(tag);\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_iTtUiNSL-aU\").prepend(helpTag);\n\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function(){jQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoYTMessage_iTtUiNSL-aU\").css(\"display\", \"block\");}, 2000);\n\t\t\t  });\n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<p><script>\nfunction l2C_Function() {\n  var x = document.getElementById(\"l2C\");\n  if (x.style.display === \"none\") {\n    x.style.display = \"block\";\n  } else {\n    x.style.display = \"none\";\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"moc-toc hide-on-desktop hide-on-tablet\">\n<div><button onclick=\"l2C_Function()\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/toc2.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"show or hide table of contents\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p>On this page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<nav id=\"l2C\" style=\"display:none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Rule_1\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Rule #1<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Rule_2\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Rule #2<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Rule_3\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Rule #3<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Rule_4\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Rule #4<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Rule_5\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Rule #5<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Rule_6\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Rule #6<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Rule_7\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Rule #7<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Rule_8\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Rule #8<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Rule_9\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Rule #9<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Rule_10\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Rule #10<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#The_Oxford_Comma\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">The Oxford Comma<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"accordion\"><input id=\"transcript\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"transcript\">Transcript<\/label><input id=\"FAQs\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"FAQs\">FAQs<\/label>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"transcript-spoiler\">\n<p>Hey, guys! Welcome to this video on comma rules.<\/p>\n<p>Commas tend to get misused a lot, or perhaps even worse, they aren\u2019t used where they should be. So, in this video we are going to take a look at ten different <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/when-to-use-a-comma\/\">comma<\/a> rules to be aware of when writing.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Rule_1\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Rule #1<\/h2>\n<p>\nWhen you have a <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/coordinating-and-correlative-conjunctions\/\">coordinating conjunction<\/a> that is being used to separate two independent clauses, use a comma.<\/p>\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">My brother rode his bike so fast, but he still arrived late for school.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Rule_2\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Rule #2<\/h2>\n<p>\nWhen you have an intro clause, phrase, or just a couple of words that precede the main clause, then use a comma to separate them.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\" style=\"text-align: left;\">When I was younger, I used to roller skate to the neighborhood park with my family.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Rule_3\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Rule #3<\/h2>\n<p>\nWhen you have a nonrestrictive clause in the middle of a sentence then use a pair of commas to separate it. Nonrestrictive clauses are just clauses that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence.<\/p>\n<p>For Example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\" style=\"text-align: left;\">My paper, which I think you might like, is about changing psychological behaviors in our culture.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Rule_4\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Rule #4<\/h2>\n<p>\nUse commas when you have three or more words that are within a series to separate each word.<\/p>\n<p>Here is an example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\" style=\"text-align: left;\">The ingredients that I need for you to pick up from the store are onions, potatoes, sour cream, and cheddar cheese.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Rule_5\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Rule #5<\/h2>\n<p>\nWhen you have multiple adjectives modifying the same noun they need to be separated by commas.<\/p>\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">The strong, lean olympian catapulted herself over the bar.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nNotice there is no comma after <em>lean<\/em>. The last adjective right before the noun should not have a comma after it.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Rule_6\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Rule #6<\/h2>\n<p>\nUse commas to separate opposing coordinate words, or to represent a clear pause or change.<\/p>\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">She was simply uninformed, not stupid.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 0em;\">We are still going to the fair together, right?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Rule_7\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Rule #7<\/h2>\n<p>\nUse a comma to distinguish phrases at the start or end of a sentence that are referring to something in the middle or at the beginning of a sentence.<\/p>\n<p>Look at this example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Sweet Emma yelled, \u201cchoo choo,\u201d as the train passed by, jumping enthusiastically.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Rule_8\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Rule #8<\/h2>\n<p>\nUse commas to distinguish geographical names, addresses (except for the first line), format dates (with exception of month and the day), and to set apart a title in someone&#8217;s name.<\/p>\n<p>Example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Hollywood, California is where a lot of major films are made.<\/p>\n<p>Her address is 59 Crestview Drive, Layton, Utah.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 0em;\">George C. Oxford, PhD, has written over thirty-seven books on the human brain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Rule_9\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Rule #9<\/h2>\n<p>\nUse commas to separate the normal flow of writing from quotations.<\/p>\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">The frustrated young student asked, \u201cWhy on earth do we exist?\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 0em;\">\u201cYou are doing great,\u201d she said, \u201ckeep working hard!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Rule_10\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Rule #10<\/h2>\n<p>\nUse a comma if it helps the sentence to be read correctly, or if a comma would help to eliminate any possible confusion.<\/p>\n<p>Look at this example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\" style=\"text-align: left;\">It seemed as though there was never enough encouragement at work, to Martha.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"The_Oxford_Comma\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>The Oxford Comma<\/h2>\n<p>\nNow, before we close here, let\u2019s talk about one last thing. Let\u2019s take another look at rule #4. Use commas when you have three or more words that are within a series to separate each word.<\/p>\n<p>The example we saw was:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\" style=\"text-align: left;\">The ingredients that I need for you to pick up from the store are onions, potatoes, sour cream, and cheddar cheese.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nWell, the comma immediately following <em>sour cream<\/em> is referred to as the Oxford comma. The Oxford (or serial) comma can be defined as the comma that comes after the second to last item in a list of three or more items, right before <em>and<\/em> or <em>or<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>The Oxford comma is referred to as stylistic, which means that depending on what type of style you use, it may not be necessary. For example, if you are writing in AP style (which is what news reporters use) then you would not use the Oxford comma.<\/p>\n<p>Typically, you will hear it said that it is up to you to decide if you want to use the Oxford comma or not. However, you want to be very careful, because this can potentially lead to some confusion. I\u2019ll show you how.<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">I like my friends, Beyonce and Abraham Lincoln.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nNow, the problem with this sentence is that it seems as though this person is claiming to be friends with Beyonce and Abraham Lincoln. When, really, what they meant to communicate was that they like their friends, Beyonce, and Abraham Lincoln. So, in any case, when writing make sure that you are communicating effectively what you would like for your audience to take away.<\/p>\n<p>I hope that this video over commas, and how to use them has been helpful for you.<\/p>\n<p>See you guys next time!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"FAQs-spoiler\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><span id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-list\">\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is a comma splice?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>A comma splice is when two independent clauses are joined by a comma. This is something that should be avoided; two independent clauses should be joined by a semicolon or a comma and conjunction instead.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s an example of a comma splice:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u201cKerry let me borrow his textbook, I needed it to finish my science homework.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In this case, replacing the comma with a semicolon would fix the comma splice:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u201cKerry let me borrow his textbook; I needed it to finish my science homework.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>You could also separate the two independent clauses:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u201cKerry let me borrow his textbook. I needed it to finish my science homework.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is an Oxford comma?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Also known as a serial comma, an Oxford comma is the final comma used in a list of items, always preceding a conjunction. In the example below, the comma used between <em>flour<\/em> and the conjunction <em>and<\/em> is an Oxford comma:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u201cCarrie bought eggs, flour, and sugar to use in her cake mix.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">Does the comma go before or after \u201cbut\u201d?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>When joining two independent clauses, the comma will always appear before the word <em>but<\/em>. Here\u2019s an example: <\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u201cI wanted to visit the park today, but I can\u2019t find my umbrella.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>  When  an independent clause and a dependent clause, no comma is needed before or after the conjunction <em>but<\/em>. Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u201cShe bought some oranges but forgot to buy apples.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">When do you use a comma before \u201cand\u201d?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>There are two common instances where you would use a comma before the word <em>and<\/em>. The first instance is when you are joining two independent clauses, as seen in the example below:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u201cLandon threw the ball across the yard, and the dog chased after it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The other instance is known as the Oxford comma, or serial comma. An Oxford comma is the final comma used in a list of items, always preceding a conjunction:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u201cI saw lions, giraffes, and snakes at the zoo today.\u201d<\/br><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">Where does the comma go in an address?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>If you are writing an address <strong>on an envelope<\/strong>, a comma should only appear between the city and state. Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>John Smith<br \/>1234 Example Drive<br \/>Atlanta, GA 30311<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Notice that there is no comma between the state and the zip code.<\/p>\n<p>If you are writing an address <strong>as part of a sentence<\/strong>, a comma should appear between the street and the city, and another comma should appear between the city and state. Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u201cMarie Johnson lives at 5678 Pretend Avenue, Nampa, ID 83653.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/writing\/\">Return to Writing Videos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Return to Writing Videos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":91150,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-4254","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-video-pages-for-study-course-sidebar-ad","7":"page_category-writing-videos","8":"page_type-video","9":"subject_matter-english"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4254","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4254"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4254\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":279307,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4254\/revisions\/279307"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/91150"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4254"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}