Lesson 361 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma to set off a short clause at the end of the sentence to change a statement into a question or an exclamatory sentence. 

 

Example: 

You are going to town, aren't you?

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. That should make them take notice shouldn't it!

2. This is a beautiful location isn't it?

3. Becky is a living miracle isn't she!

4. Joe was here this morning wasn't he?

5. The new player really tries doesn't he!

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. That should make them take notice, shouldn't it!

2. This is a beautiful location, isn't it?

3. Becky is a living miracle, isn't she!

4. Joe was here this morning, wasn't he?

5. The new player really tries, doesn't he!

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Quiz for Lessons 356 - 360 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Comma

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Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. When you return the opportunity will still await you.

2. Having done my best I sat down to see the results.

3. To get the job done you will need to pace yourself.

4. During the last game of the World Series a riot took place.

5. His face stern and set told me that I was in trouble.

6. The answer without doubt will make all the difference.

7. After you finish doing the dishes the floor needs mopping.

8. To get the correct results you must follow the proper order of adding ingredients.

9. Trying to secure the boat the man fell haplessly into the water.

10. In view of the recent events in the Middle East peace does not seem likely.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. When you return, the opportunity will still await you.

2. Having done my best, I sat down to see the results.

3. To get the job done, you will need to pace yourself.

4. During the last game of the World Series, a riot took place.

5. His face, stern and set, told me that I was in trouble.

6. The answer, without doubt, will make all the difference.

7. After you finish doing the dishes, the floor needs mopping.

8. To get the correct results, you must follow the proper order of adding ingredients.

9. Trying to secure the boat, the man fell haplessly into the water.

10. In view of the recent events in the Middle East, peace does not seem likely.

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Lesson 360 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma or commas to set off transposed (out of their natural order) words, phrases, or other modifiers.

Example: 

This woman, without question, is too weak. 

(These transposed items are very much like the introductory items, but they do not come at the beginning of the sentence.)

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Turn to increase the volume the knob to the right.

2. The intruder very quietly closed the door.

3. Her hand cut and bruised showed the ordeal undertaken by her.

4. Sam although he likes drama seldom ever attends a play.

5. All the contestants eager and well-prepared required a good night's rest.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Turn, to increase the volume, the knob to the right.

2. The intruder, very quietly, closed the door.

3. Her hand, cut and bruised, showed the ordeal undertaken by her.

4. Sam, although he likes drama, seldom ever attends a play.

5. All the contestants, eager and well-prepared, required a good night's rest.

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Lesson 359 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma after long introductory prepositional phrases or two or more consecutive prepositional phrases. 

 

Examples: 

At the entrance to the cave, the guide gave us instructions. 

During those hot, boring summer days, time passed very slowly.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. After the wreck into the pine tree the car was towed away.

2. Into the woods during the shower ran the black horse.

3. After the long and exhausting trip we finally arrived at our destination.

4. In the hall closet on the top shelf you will find the material I need.

5. Through the vast expanse of space the astronauts traveled continuously.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. After the wreck into the pine tree, the car was towed away.

2. Into the woods during the shower, ran the black horse.

3. After the long and exhausting trip, we finally arrived at our destination.

4. In the hall closet on the top shelf, you will find the material I need.

5. Through the vast expanse of space, the astronauts traveled continuously.

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Lesson 358 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma after an introductory dependent adverb clause. 

 

Example: 

If you want to see the Olympics, order your tickets now.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. When my luggage arrives I will give you your present.

2. After the game was over both the team and the fans celebrated.

3. If you do not believe me ask the rest of those present.

4. Although I am afraid I will lead you through the woods.

5. Where the troops are we are going.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. When my luggage arrives, I will give you your present.

2. After the game was over, both the team and the fans celebrated.

3. If you do not believe me, ask the rest of those present.

4. Although I am afraid, I will lead you through the woods.

5. Where the troops are, we are going.

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Lesson 357 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma after an introductory infinitive phrase used as an adjective. 

 

Example: 

To find her ring, Mary removed everything from the room.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. To reach Butte, Montana, in time we will need to leave before 10:00 A.M.

2. To succeed at this task you will need to practice daily.

3. To be chosen for the finals the contestant will have to do better.

4. To truly believe the story one must find answers for one's self.

5. To get the best results you should soak it for an hour.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. To reach Butte, Montana, in time, we will need to leave before 10:00 A.M.

2. To succeed at this task, you will need to practice daily.

3. To be chosen for the finals, the contestant will have to do better.

4. To truly believe the story, one must find answers for one's self.

5. To get the best results, you should soak it for an hour.

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Lesson 356 - Mechanics -Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma after an introductory participial phrase. 

 

Example: 

Feeling hot, the boy ran to the refrigerator for a drink.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Needing help immediately I dialed 911.

2. Having seen the final act I started to cry.

3. Thinking back on her life the woman was very thankful.

4. Having done his very best the boy stood tall and happy.

5. Desiring to be accepted Larry did some unusual things.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Needing help immediately, I dialed 911.

2. Having seen the final act, I started to cry.

3. Thinking back on her life, the woman was very thankful.

4. Having done his very best, the boy stood tall and happy.

5. Desiring to be accepted, Larry did some unusual things.

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Quiz for Lessons 351 - 355 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Ila indeed is a good mother.

2. I hope Jennie that you don't go to jail.

3. My son-in-law Chris will be able to vote in the coming election.

4. Oh Gail I hope that you on the other hand will be happy with your decision your move to Europe.

5. We sat in the shade beneath a broad green tree Irene.

6. It was a lovely happy memorable time.

7. I know after all you will be successful.

8. Mr. Allen Rudy the boy next door has been fighting with your brother Richard.

9. Of course we could hear immediately that you after all will be going to Santos a great city in Brazil.

10. Well Will I hope to see you by the way in Manaus on our return from our vacation a trip to Australia.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Ila, indeed, is a good mother.

2. I hope, Jennie, that you don't go to jail.

3. My son-in-law Chris will be able to vote in the coming election. (closely related appositive) 

- or -

My son-in-law, Chris, will be able to vote in the coming election. (noun of address)

4. Oh, Gail, I hope that you, on the other hand, will be happy with your decision, your move to Europe.

5. We sat in the shade beneath a broad green tree, Irene.

6. It was a lovely, happy, memorable time.

7. I know, after all, you will be successful.

8. Mr. Allen, Rudy, the boy next door, has been fighting with your brother Richard. (Richard is a closely related appositive)

9. Of course, we could hear immediately that you, after all, will be going to Santos, a great city in Brazil.

10. Well, Will, I hope to see you, by the way, in Manaus on our return from our vacation, a trip to Australia.

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Lesson 355 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions. Parenthetical expressions are words inserted in the main sentence but not necessary to the meaning. They interrupt the flow of the sentence. Common expressions used parenthetically are however, of course, on the other hand, in fact, for example, that is, by the way, after all, perhaps, indeed, also, too, nevertheless. These expressions are not always parenthetical. 

 

Examples: 

Lucy, on the other hand, reads little. 

He knows, perhaps, five answers to the questions.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. The story that I just told you by the way is true.

2. My plan nevertheless was followed and succeeded.

3. Your plan on the other hand was rejected for good reasons.

4. I might suggest for example that you make some revisions.

5. You in fact should be moved to a different department.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The story that I just told you, by the way, is true.

2. My plan, nevertheless, was followed and succeeded.

3. Your plan, on the other hand, was rejected for good reasons.

4. I might suggest, for example, that you make some revisions.

5. You, in fact, should be moved to a different department.

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Lesson 354 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma to separate co-ordinate adjectives. Co-ordinate adjectives can be checked to see if a comma is necessary by placing and between them. They will sound smooth and correct with the and.

Examples: 

The warm, sunny day made everyone happy. (warm and sunny sounds smooth) 

You are a clever little girl. (clever and little doesn't sound smooth)

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Today was not a clear sunny day.

2. Allison thought she was such a clever little girl.

3. Where did you buy that dashing red car?

4. They say that tomorrow will be a sunny warm day.

5. Your careless inconsiderate behavior could cause you serious problems.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Today was not a clear, sunny day.

2. no commas needed

3. no commas needed

4. They say that tomorrow will be a sunny, warm day.

5. Your careless, inconsiderate behavior could cause you serious problems.

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Lesson 353 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma or commas to set off an appositive if not closely tied to the words it equals or identifies. 

 

Examples: 

Larry Millward, my best friend, will speak at the meeting. 

My brother Ken moved to Hawaii. (closely tied)

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Fred James a soldier captured during World War II spoke at the assembly.

2. My sister Elaine died recently.

3. Paul the top student in his class was the valedictorian.

4. Small farming a very important occupation is disappearing.

5. We rode all day on Dot a very old and gentle horse.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Fred James, a soldier captured during World War II, spoke at the assembly.

2. My sister Elaine died recently. (It is closely tied, but one could take Elaine as a noun of address if you don't know her as the sister.)

3. Paul, the top student in his class, was the valedictorian.

4. Small farming, a very important occupation, is disappearing.

5. We rode all day on Dot, a very old and gentle horse.

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Lesson 352 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma or commas to set off words or phrases used as nouns of address (nominatives of address).

Examples:

Joe, get over here. 

Get over here, Joe. 

Young man, get over here.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Did you Susan see him at the meetings?

2. I will call you in the morning Steve.

3. Well Fred it was a pleasure to see you again.

4. Jeanne I don't know what is going on.

5. You should Bill know the answer to that one.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Did you, Susan, see him at the meetings?

2. I will call you in the morning, Steve.

3. Well, Fred, it was a pleasure to see you again.

4. Jeanne, I don't know what is going on.

5. You should, Bill, know the answer to that one.

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Lesson 351 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Use a comma to separate introductory words yes and no and mild interjections from the sentence that follows them.

Examples: 

Oh, I heard that before. 

Yes, I will be here.

Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Yes you may leave the room.

2. Of course I won't change my plans.

3. Oh you want to try my patience more.

4. No I didn't see you there.

5. Wow you think that is great.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Yes, you may leave the room.

2. Of course, I won't change my plans.

3. Oh, you want to try my patience more.

4. No, I didn't see you there.

5. Wow, you think that is great.

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Quiz for Lessons 346 - 350 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Commas

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Instructions: Place commas where they are needed.

1. Baseball basketball track and tennis require running.

2. The numbers 8 16 32 and 48 are called even numbers.

3. Eat drink and make merry for you will soon die.

4. I like shopping my husband likes dining and the family likes activities.

5. Working hard saving some money and providing for a family should be important for a father.

6. I saw him run up the mountain jump off the cliff and land in a pine tree.

7. He was from Great Falls Montana and she was from Twin Falls Idaho.

8. I have been to Dubois Idaho Taber Alberta Canada and Whippany New Jersey.

9. She likes to sing to play the piano and to read novels.

10. The search party looked along the road up the hill and down the alleys for clues.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Baseball, basketball, track, and tennis require running.

2. The numbers 8, 16, 32, and 48 are called even numbers.

3. Eat, drink, and make merry, for you will soon die.

4. I like shopping, my husband likes dining, and the family likes activities.

5. Working hard, saving some money, and providing for a family should be important for a father.

6. I saw him run up the mountain, jump off the cliff, and land in a pine tree.

7. He was from Great Falls, Montana, and she was from Twin Falls, Idaho.

8. I have been to Dubois, Idaho, Taber, Alberta, Canada, and Whippany, New Jersey.

9. She likes to sing, to play the piano, and to read novels.

10. The search party looked along the road, up the hill, and down the alleys for clues.

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