Use commas to separate three or more items in a list.
Correct: I need eggs, milk, and bread.
Incorrect: I need eggs milk and bread.
Use a comma before coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) when joining independent clauses.
Correct: I love pizza, and my sister prefers pasta.
Incorrect: I love pizza and my sister prefers pasta.
Use a comma after introductory words, phrases, or clauses.
Correct: However, we decided to watch a movie.
Incorrect: However we decided to watch a movie.
Use commas to set off non-essential information.
Correct: My brother, who is 10 years old, loves soccer.
Incorrect: My brother who is 10 years old loves soccer.
Use commas between adjectives that can be reversed or separated by "and".
Correct: She wore a long, flowing dress.
Incorrect: She wore a red cotton dress. (No comma needed)
Use commas to separate parts of dates, addresses, and large numbers.
Correct: July 4, 2024 | Portland, Oregon | 1,000,000
Incorrect: July 4 2024 | Portland Oregon | 1000000
Use commas to set off names or titles in direct address.
Correct: Yes, sir, I understand.
Incorrect: Yes sir I understand.
Use a comma to separate a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence.
Correct: She said, "Let's go to the park."
Incorrect: She said "Let's go to the park."