2. Comma (,)

A comma is used in the middle of, and never at the end of a sentence. This is done to make the sentence clearer, especially to separate items in a list. However, overusing commas can complicate a sentence, or render it meaningless. A comma is important to avoid any possibility of misunderstanding a sentence as the following example shows: While my father was eating, my mother was drinking. While my father was eating my mother was drinking. Without the comma, it appears my father was cannibalizing my mother. A comma is used: to separate words in a list EXAMPLE: We saw monkeys, porcupines, lions and tigers in the zoo. to show a pause in a sentence. EXAMPLE: Yesterday, as I was jogging in the park, I saw a black baboon. before inverted commas of actual words spoken. EXAMPLE: He told us, "I believe the world is flat." to separate the name of the person spoken to. EXAMPLE: "Jane, let me show you how to do it." to separate items in dates, that is day of week from the date, and day of month from the year. EXAMPLE: He is marrying on Tuesday, 1st April. EXAMPLE: The explosion happened on 1st January, 2000. to separate exclamations and expressions from the rest of the sentence. EXAMPLE: Oh no, it can't be true. EXAMPLE: Well, all I can say is it's a waste of money. after such words or phrases – of course, therefore, for example, however, moreover, etc. – when we begin a sentence. EXAMPLE: Of course, you are always right. EXAMPLE: Moreover, the rent is high and the location is not perfect. to separate parts of an address. EXAMPLE: 999, Downing Street, Kingston. to separate cities and states/provinces, states/provinces and countries. EXAMPLE: Montana, USA. to separate numbers that exceed three digits. EXAMPLE: 2,000 / 20,000 to separate greetings and closings in letters, EXAMPLE: Dear Princess Diana, / Yours sincerely. to separate more than one adjective that modifies a noun. EXAMPLE: The short, puny man was a comedian. to separate relative clause from the rest of the sentence. EXAMPLE: The man, who lives next door, is a circus clown. to separate two independent clauses which together form a compound sentence. EXAMPLE: Jack is washing the car, and Jill is washing the dishes.