The Oft-Forgot Second Comma

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Find the error in this sentence:

"On July 4, 1776 a printed copy of the Declaration of Independence was presented to the Continental Congress."

Answer: The rules of English grammar dictate that you use a comma after both the day and the year, and the second comma is not optional.

Now this sentence:

"He grew up in Phoeniz, Arizona and still lives there."

Answer: The rules of English grammar dictate that you use a comma after both the city name and state name, and again the second comma is not optional.

These rules are so often abused that when I see someone who correctly uses the second comma, I figure that person probably knows English grammar pretty well.  Either that, or s/he is just comma happy.

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