Commas

Question 1

Do not put a comma before….

Answer 1

conjunction in a simpler series. (Ex. John, Paul, George and Ringo; red, white and blue.)

Question 2

Use a comma to set off….

Answer 2

a person’s hometown and age. (Ex. Jane Doe, Framingham, was absent. Joe Blow, 34, was arrested yesterday. )

Question 3

Place a comma before and after the following:

Answer 3

A year, if it follows a month and date. (Ex. I was born on Nov. 6, 1958, in Madison, Wis.)

A state. if it follows a city or county name. (Ex. I was born in Madison, Wis., on Nov. 6, 1958.)

An appositive (a word or phrase that says the same thing as a word or phrase next to it) (Ex. I saw my boss, John Smith, in the hall.)