Commas are used with cities and states. Notice both commas

COMMAS

1. A comma indicates a pause or slight break within a sentence:

Whatever you have to say, make it brief.

Many commas of this kind are nowadays optional:

They're down at the pub, celebrating their win on the Lottery.

They're down at the pub celebrating their win on the Lottery.

2. A comma is always used to separate the main clause from a dependent clause that comes before it:

When he arrived home, the children ran to meet him.

3. A comma is used before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, or, so, yet) that introduces an independent clause (that's a clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence):

My sister's name is Miranda. My brother's name is Austin.

These are two complete, correct sentences. But it’s better to say:

My sister's name is Miranda, and my brother's name is Austin.

It is wrong to use a comma in cases like:

I am very good in Spanish, and in French.

And in French is not a complete sentence:

I am very good in Spanish and French.

I am very good in Spanish; and I'm good in French.

I'm good in French is a complete sentence.

When the two independent clauses are very short, you have a choice:

Kate slept late(,) but Meg got up early.

A comma all by itself is not strong enough to separate two independent clauses. Be alert! This is a very common comma goof.

Wrong:

We went to the beach last summer, I finally learned to wind surf.

Right:

We went to the beach last summer. I finally learned to wind surf.

We went to the beach last summer; I finally learned to wind surf.

We went to the beach last summer, and I finally learned to wind surf.

4. It separates clauses or two parts of a sentence between which there is a balance or contrast (semicolons or no conjunctions at all ( when the two independent clauses are very short) are possible):

You may be sorry, but I am delighted. (You may be sorry; but I am delighted.)

I'm going out with Kevin, not Sam.

I ordered pizza, not lasagna.

5. A comma is used after most introductory phrases and clauses, it separates introductory words and inserted comments (however, finally, furthermore, indeed, meanwhile, nevertheless, therefore, unfor­tunately):

Being a sugar freak, I have to have at least one biscuit a day.

I don't much like the idea. However, you can go if you want to.

When the introduction is short, you can omit the comma if you choose.

In June(,) I will be going to camp.

But beware. What can happen if you don't use commas after introductory phrases and clauses - even short ones? Confusion, that's what!

Confusing:

After eating my cat hiccups. (Do you eat cats often?)

Clear:

After eating, my cat hiccups.

Notice that if you reverse the order of this sentence (putting the sub­ject and verb first), you no longer have an introduction and no longer need a comma.

My cat hiccups after eating.

6. It is used to emphasize an adverb:

Tom ran fast and got home before his mother.

More emphasis:

Tom ran, fast, and got home before his mother.

7. Commas are used when adjectives come after the noun:

My language arts teacher, kind of heart and generous of spirit, will surely give me an A if I learn all these comma rules.

8. Commas are used in lists:

Buy eggs, milk, bread, and cereal at the store.

Okay:

When I go on vacation, I like playing tennis and rollerblading

and trying to beat my dad at golf.

Much better:

When I go on vacation, I like playing tennis, rollerblading,

and trying to beat my dad at golf.

Is it okay to omit the last comma? Most newspapers omit it (in order to save space), but many good writers use it.

This train goes to Norfolk, Washington, New York(,) and Boston.

Take your pick, but be consistent and be aware of potential problems when you don't use the final comma.

Say what?

I like peanut butter and jelly,

macaroni and cheese and bananas covered with chocolate.

(Macaroni and cheese covered with chocolate?)

Much better:

I like peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese,

and bananas covered with chocolate.

I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on Valentine's Day.

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