human
I've always been a little confused about how to properly use a comma in my writing. Can you give me some tips?
assistant
1. Use commas to separate independent clauses within a sentence, and between the subject and verb of each clause.
2. Use commas around parenthetical phrases or words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence.
3. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (such as "and" or "or") when it is part of the first element of a compound predicate.
4. Use a comma before the last item in a series of three or more items, unless the final item is a pronoun or other non-essential word.