The Rules:

Comma goes on both sides of the state when you have the city listed as well.

Examples:

The weather in Wellsville, Utah, has been weird this year.

• Comma on both sides since the city is included.

I used to live in Gilbert, Arizona.

• Only one comma since the state is the last word of the sentence.

I grew up in Orem.

• No comma since the state isn’t listed.

The editing conference in Alexandria, Virginia, is coming up in one month.

• Comma on both sides since the city is included.

I planned my moves for the wrong time of year as I moved to Tolleson, Arizona, in the summer of 2009, then moved to Wellsville, Utah, in the winter of 2019.

•   Comma surrounds both states in the sentence.

Practice:

1. I want to visit San Antonio Texas in a few years.
2. My best friend lives in Gilbert Arizona so is no longer near me.
3. I started college in Rexburg in 2003.
4. I traveled from Chicago Illinois to New York City New York.
5. They have really developed St. George Utah since my mom moved to Orem.
6. I enjoy visiting Nantucket Massachusetts.

Answers :

1.  I want to visit San Antonio, Texas, in a few years.
2. My best friend lives in Gilbert, Arizona, so is no longer near me.
3. I started college in Rexburg in 2003. (no comma since state isn’t listed)
4. I traveled from Chicago, Illinois, to New York City, New York.
5. They have really developed St. George, Utah, since my mom moved to Orem.
6.  I enjoy visiting Nantucket, Massachusetts.

Katie Chambers

Katie Chambers, owner of Beacon Point, is a nonfiction and fiction substantive (developmental) editor and copy editor for independent authors, content writer and editor for business professionals, online teacher, and professional speaker.
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