Another Grammar Tip by Lisa…
As I’m on the tail end of doing summer homework with my daughters, one of the writing assignments was a little work on comma usage. Okay, so this was my 3rd grader’s homework assignment yet I see writers, editors, teachers (and myself:) screwing up comma usage everyday. So here we go…5 Comma Errors To Avoid When You Write.

Comma Error One
Forgetting to use a comma after city AND state

It is very common to see people add a comma between a city and state, but forget the comma require after the state.

Incorrect Usage: I left home to fly to San Diego, California today.
Correct: I left home to fly to San Diego, California, today.

Comma Error Two
Forgetting to use a comma after city AND country
Some people think this looks a little funny, but nevertheless, you need to add a comma after a city and a country when used in a sentence.

Incorrect Usage: I am going to Paris, France for a much needed sabbatical.
Correct: I am going to Paris, France, for a much needed sabbatical.

Comma Error Three
Forgetting to use a comma after the day AND year in a sentence with the complete date.

I think I have made this boo-boo on many occasions! I always forget that little comma after the year. Probably because I don’t want to overdo my comma usage. (Writers tend to do that!)

Incorrect Usage: My friend’s new baby was born on May 1, 2009 at 4:00 am.
Correct: My friend’s new baby was born on May 1, 2009, at 4:00 am.

Comma Error Four
Adding an unnecessary comma between a month AND year.

If you aren’t writing the full date (September 1, 2008,) then you do not need the comma between a month and year.

Incorrect Usage: My business made the most income in September, 2008 from ebook sales.
Correct: My business made the most income in September 2008 from ebook sales.

Comma Error Five
Placing a comma outside of quotation marks.

All your punctuation including commas, periods, etc. need to stay inside of the quotation marks.

Incorrect Usage: I am going to watch “True Blood”, on demand this weekend.
Correct: I am going to watch “True Blood,”on demand this weekend.

Who makes up these rules?
LOL:) Not me. In fact, some of these “grammar rules” differ from country to country. For example the last common comma error (quotation marks) is based on U.S. usage. Yet the rules are pretty universal and you can take a look at all of them in the Chicago Manual of Style. A writer’s Bible.

The original source of this list of comma errors and many more fantastic grammar tips can be found on TerriblyWrite.com

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Lisa Angelettie

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I make a living writing, ePublishing, and marketing books and teaching others how to do the same. I have one mission: To turn you into the best writer that you can be while enjoying every minute of it!

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