We use a comma to separate items in a list.
I bought lemons, sugar, cookies, and ice.
This sentence says that I bought four items. A comma goes in between each of the items to keep them separate.
If we forget to use the commas between items, we can cause confusion. Look at this sentence.:
I bought lemons, sugar cookies, and ice.
Now it looks like I bought only three items. Without a comma between sugar and cookies, it looks like sugar cookies – a completely different thing.
We also use a comma between a list of activities or actions. Look at this sentence:
My family and I went hiking, rode our bikes, played volleyball, and had a campfire.
Each comma separates one activity from another, making the sentence easier to read and the meaning clearer.
Every time you write a list of nouns or a list of actions, use a comma after each item in the list.
▶ It’s your turn. This sentence needs two commas. When I went birdwatching, I saw orioles cardinals and robins. Did you figure out where to put the commas? Good for you!