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Commas, Part 5

Rule – Use a comma to separate the city from the state and after the state in a document. If you use the two-letter capitalized form of a state in a document, you do not need a comma after the state.
Examples:
I lived in Denver, Colorado, for 20 years.
I lived in Denver, CO for 20 years.

NOTE: Writing an address on an envelope should follow US Postal Service guidelines. These guidelines are covered in our blog “Writing Addresses.”

Rule – Use commas to set off expressions that interrupt sentence flow.
Example:
I am, as you have probably noticed, very nervous about this.

 

Pop Quiz

1A. The New England Patriots, have played their home football games in Foxborough, Massachusetts, since 1971.
1B. The New England Patriots have played their home football games in Foxborough, Massachusetts since 1971.
1C. The New England Patriots have played their home football games in Foxborough, Massachusetts, since 1971.
2A. Janet has lived in New Orleans, LA, her entire life.
2B. Janet has lived in New Orleans, LA her entire life.
2C. Janet, has lived in New Orleans, LA, her entire life.

3A. I agreed, although I regretted the decision later, to loan our car to Miriam.
3B. I agreed although I regretted the decision later, to loan our car to Miriam.
3C. I agreed although I regretted the decision later to loan our car to Miriam.

 

Pop Quiz Answers
1C. The New England Patriots have played their home football games in Foxborough, Massachusetts, since 1971.
2B. Janet has lived in New Orleans, LA her entire life.
NOTE: Answer “2A. Janet has lived in New Orleans, LA, her entire life” also is acceptable, but the comma following LA is not required.
3A. I agreed, although I regretted the decision later, to loan our car to Miriam.

Posted on Sunday, December 16th, 2012, at 3:27 pm

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