Write three sentences, each using a comma differently. Explain why the comma is needed in each sentence.
1. "I went to the store to buy milk, eggs, and bread." In this sentence, the comma is used to separate the items in a list (milk, eggs, and bread), making it clear that the speaker intends to buy three distinct items.
2. "After finishing my homework, I went for a walk." Here, the comma is used to separate the dependent clause ("After finishing my homework") from the independent clause ("I went for a walk"). The comma helps indicate a pause and clarify the relationship between the two clauses.
3. "She asked me to help her, but I had other commitments." In this sentence, the comma is used to separate two independent clauses ("She asked me to help her" and "I had other commitments") that are joined by a coordinating conjunction (but). The comma is needed before the coordinating conjunction to indicate a pause and show that two complete thoughts are being expressed.