The "Punctuation Used Correctly!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Trying to remember the exact date that I reminded you that I taught Graphic Arts and Photography in high school and not English.  If you have been visiting this blog site for any length of time I'm sure you have noticed that I enjoy using commas.  

The Comma

If I'm not sure that I should use one or not, I stick one in, just in case.  See what I mean!  The comma is one of the most commonly used punctuation tools, but one of the most misused.  I try not to use them more than I have to, but the problem for me is...I'm not sure at times what are the rules for using a comma!  So, I found 8 rules that tell me when I should, or should not use the comma.  Though I would share them with you in case you too might happen to write from time to time.  

Rule #1 - Lists
Commas are used when writing lists of three or more items.  There is one place in a list of items where it is optional to use a comma.  An example is:  I'm going to the store to buy flour, sugar, eggs, and yeast.  You may discard the comma after the last word before the final "and' if you wish.  It is said to be optional.  Therefore, it would be:  I'm going to the store to buy flour, sugar, eggs and yeast.

Rule #2 - Linking Independent Clauses
Independent clauses are fully-formed ideas that can stand alone as sentences, but are placed together in a sentence.  An example is:  I baked a jellybean cake, and it tasted better than I could have imagined.  This one sentence is two independent sentences joined by the word "and."  Therefore, a comma should be used before the "and" in front of the second sentence. 

Rule #3 - Dependent Clauses
Dependent clauses feature a subject and a verb, but aren't a complete sentence on their own.  If you connect an independent clause with a dependent clause, a comma is necessary.  An example is:  When I have a bad day, I try to comfort myself with a donut.  The first part of the sentence is dependent while the second half is an independent sentence, thus a comma is needed.

Rule #4 - Non-essential descriptions
If you add extra details to a sentence to bring life to the sentence, you should use commas.  An example is: The banana-split dessert, covered with a layer of whipped cream, was a perfect birthday dessert.  In this case the commas were needed to separate the descriptive "covered with a layer of whipped cream" from the rest of the sentence.

Rule #5 - Quotations
When you type something that someone is saying you need to add commas to separate the quote from the rest of the sentence.  An example is:  "I love to go fishing in the Caribbean," Jimmy said to his sister.  The comma after the quote can be in front of or after the quotation mark.

Rule #6 - Introductory elements
If you introduce a sentence with an adverb you need to add a comma after the adverb.  An example is:  Surprisingly, he hit the ball over the fence.  

Rule #7 - Addresses
Streets, cities, states, and countries need to be separated with commas when writing addresses.  An example is:  I live at 123 Jellybean Drive, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA

Rule #8 - Dates
The day, month and year in a date need to be punctuated with commas.  An example is:  I arrived at the beach on Saturday, May 19, 2020.

Now, if you have found mistakes in my use of commas in the past, please try to remember that I just found this list of rules and will do my best to remember the proper use of the comma.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.