Using Commas in Addresses and Dates

Khan Academy

This educational video from Khan Academy features grammar experts David and Paige explaining the specific rules for using commas when writing addresses and dates. Dubbed "Commas in Space and Time," the lesson breaks down the punctuation conventions needed to separate elements of a physical location (street, city, state) and elements of a specific date (day of week, month/day, year). The video uses a digital whiteboard format where the narrators handwrite examples in real-time while explaining the logic behind the punctuation. They provide clear, concrete examples including a fictional address for detective Nero Wolfe and a humorous sentence involving eating a cricket on a specific date in 2010. The visual demonstration helps students see exactly where commas are placed relative to the words. This resource is highly valuable for elementary and middle school English Language Arts classrooms focusing on writing mechanics and grammar conventions. It simplifies a rule that students often forget—specifically the need to place a comma *after* the year or state when the sentence continues. Teachers can use this to introduce the topic or as a quick refresher before a letter-writing unit or biography project.