WHERE TO USE COMMA?

The comma is the trickiest punctuation mark which can change the meaning of a sentence dramatically, but there are some general rules which can be applied while using the comma.
We’ve compiled a list of all of the times when you need the mighty comma.
1. Use a comma before any coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor etc) which links two independent clauses.
Example:
  • I went to supermarket, and I bought 2 eggs.
  • I would like to help you with your homework, but I do not have time to do so.
  • I will be late to the party, for I am working until seven.
  • I wanted to drive my car, but the tire was flat.
Note: An independent clause contains a subject and object and can stand on its own as a sentence.
2. Use comma after a dependent clause that stats the sentence.
  • When john turned 65, he retired.
  • Because I forgot my homework, I got sent home.
  • When I went running, I saw a duck.
Note: A dependent clause contains a subject and object but can not stand on its own as a sentence. Underlined sentences above are examples of “Dependent Clause”
3.Use commas before every sequence of three numbers when writing a number larger than 999. (Two exceptions are writing years and house numbers.)
Example:
10,000 or 1,304,687.
4. Use a comma to counterbalance negation in a sentence.
Example:
  • I saw a tiger, not a lion, when i went hunting.
In this case, we still need the comma if the negation occurs at the end of the sentence. “I saw a tiger, not a lion.”
5.Use a comma when directly addressing someone or something in a sentence.
  • Sam, are you hungry?
  • Are you going to London, Mr. Johnson?
  • You should respect your elders, Sunny.
6. Use a comma when the first word of the sentence is “yes” or “no.”
  • “Yes, I saw a lion when I went running.”
  • “No, the lion didn’t eat me.”
7. Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence.
Appositives act as synonyms for a juxtaposed word or phrase. For example,“While running, I saw a liger, a hybrid cross between a male lion (Panthera leo) and a female tiger (Panthera tigris).” “a hybrid cross between a male lion (Panthera leo) and a female tiger (Panthera tigris)”. is the appositive, which gives more information about “a mallard.”
If the appositive appears in the middle of the sentence, both sides of the phrase need a comma. for example, “A liger, a hybrid cross between a male lion (Panthera leo) and a female tiger (Panthera tigris), attacked me.”
Note: Don’t use comma before and after phrase if the phrase gives necessary information to the sentence.
Example: The lion that attacked me also attacked my friend.
In the sentence above the underlined phrase provides necessary information about the lion, hence requires no comma before and after “that attacked me”.

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