Commas #1 – Dates and Addresses “The Pause That Refreshes”

Why do we use commas? Commas are a type of punctuation mark. When you are speaking, you hear commas as a slight pause.

Commas help to organize a sentence They group those things that belong together They separate things that do not belong together.

Commas separate parts of dates and addresses… If you wrote: On March 21 1972 I moved from Levittown New York to Wantagh New York. That would just be confusing!

Commas separate parts of dates and addresses… Instead, you would write correctly: On March 21, 1972, I moved from Levittown, New York to Wantagh, New York.

Tricky comma rules for dates… In sentences, a comma is needed before and after the year when the month and day are given… Example: March 12, 1972, was our first family reunion.

Tricky comma rules for dates… However, a comma is not needed when only the month and year are stated. Example: March 1972 was our first family reunion.

Tricky comma rules… March 12, 1972, was our first family reunion. Commas are needed because the month and day are given with the year March 1972 was our first family reunion. March 12, 1972, was our first family reunion. Commas are not needed because only the month and year are given.

Which of these is punctuated correctly? School began in September 2011. School began in September, 2011. The baby was born on May 2, 2009, in the morning. Both A and C

Which of these is punctuated correctly? School began in September 2011. School began in September, 2011. The baby was born on May 2, 2009, in the morning. Both A and C

Tricky comma rules for addresses… In sentences, a comma is needed before and after a state or country when the name of the city is stated. Example: Seattle, Washington, is north of Portland, Oregon.

Tricky comma rules for addresses… However, a comma is not needed before and after a state or country when the name of the city is not stated. Example: Washington is north of Oregon.

Tricky comma rules for addresses… Seattle, Washington, is north of Portland, Oregon. Commas are needed because the state and the city are stated Washington is north of Oregon. Commas are not needed because only state is stated

Which of these is punctuated correctly? Thanksgiving is Thursday November 24 2011. Deliver this to 129 Maple Lane, Levittown, New York. How far is it from Rome, Italy to Moscow, Russia? Both B and C

Which of these is punctuated correctly? Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 24, 2011. Deliver this to 129 Maple Lane, Levittown, New York. How far is it from Rome, Italy to Moscow, Russia? Both B and C

Which of these is not punctuated correctly? Toronto Ontario is not far from Buffalo New York. New York, is close to New Jersey. Both A and B None of the above

Which of these is not punctuated correctly? Toronto Ontario is not far from Buffalo New York. New York, is close to New Jersey. Both A and B None of the above