However, there are several common comma uses that you can think of as "comma rules":
1. List Commas: Used to separate items in a list of three or more.
*Example: "I bought apples, oranges, and bananas at the store."
2. Coordinating Conjunction Commas: Used before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) joining two independent clauses.
*Example: "The dog barked loudly, but the cat remained silent."
3. Introductory Phrase Commas: Used after an introductory phrase or clause.
*Example: "After the rain stopped, the sun came out."
4. Non-Restrictive Clause Commas: Used to set off non-restrictive clauses (clauses that provide extra information but are not essential to the sentence's meaning).
*Example: "My brother, who lives in California, is coming to visit."
5. Restrictive Clause Commas: Used to set off restrictive clauses (clauses that are essential to the sentence's meaning).
*Example: "The book that I bought yesterday is about history."
6. Appositive Commas: Used to set off appositives (words or phrases that rename or explain a noun).
*Example: "My friend, John, is coming to the party."
7. Direct Address Commas: Used to set off words directly addressing someone.
*Example: "John, can you help me with this?"
8. Interjection Commas: Used to set off interjections (expressions of strong feeling).
*Example: "Wow, that was an amazing movie!"
9. Parenthetical Commas: Used to set off parenthetical expressions (words, phrases, or clauses that add extra information but are not essential to the sentence's meaning).
*Example: "The game, as expected, was very close."
10. Dates and Places Commas: Used to separate parts of dates and addresses.
*Example: "On January 1, 2023, I went to New York City, New York."
11. Titles and Degrees Commas: Used to separate titles and degrees from names.
*Example: "Dr. Smith, the head of the department, is giving a lecture."
12. Clarification Commas: Used to separate potentially ambiguous elements of a sentence.
*Example: "I saw the man, with the telescope." (This could be interpreted as meaning that the man has a telescope, or that the speaker was using a telescope to see the man. The comma clarifies that the speaker is referring to the man with the telescope.)
It's important to remember that comma usage can be nuanced and there are often exceptions to the rules. If you are unsure whether or not to use a comma, it is always best to consult a grammar guide or seek guidance from a language expert.