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Commas with Items in a Series

11f. Use commas to separate items in a series.
EXAMPLE The parents hid Easter eggs behind rocks, under picnic tables, and in the trees.

11g. Use commas to separate two or more adjectives preceding a noun.

EXAMPLE Hector was an inquisitive, intelligent student.

EXERCISE Add commas where they are needed in the following sentences. If a sentence is already

MECHANICS
correct, write C before the item number.
,
Example 1. The book contains many photographs of our wild beautiful national parks.

1. Kanoa’s winning painting was of a scarlet rose a yellow tulip and a blue iris.
2. The main ingredient in Katya’s salad dressing is delicious tangy blue cheese.
3. Dennis Talia and Giuseppe volunteered to rake the park.
4. The hurricane season brought hail high winds and thunderstorms to the coast.
5. I cooked and cleaned and went shopping for my elderly aunt.
6. She baked a loaf of bread she made soup and she cut up some fresh berries.
7. Randall’s jogging route took him around the lake up a steep hill and across an empty field.
8. I believe that large old colorful rug was woven by my grandmother.
9. The thick black clouds gathering overhead threatened rain at any moment.
10. The fire began because of an electrical short circuit.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

11. The ship left harbor on a cool clear evening.

12. Mars is sometimes known as the angry red planet.
13. We had to decide among the dog the cat and the marmoset.
14. He looked for his glasses on the kitchen counter on his desk and on the bedside table.
15. Some of my favorite Cajun foods include jambalaya red beans and rice and gumbo.
16. The damp gray mist crept over the moors as the moon rose.
17. The shortstop dashed forward snatched up the ball and hurled it toward first base.
18. The hiking trail wound up the hill through the thicket and alongside the waterfall.
19. The three books that make up The Lord of the Rings are The Fellowship of the Ring The Two Towers
and The Return of the King.
20. I don’t think that shirt looks good with the bright purple tie.

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Commas with Independent Clauses

11h. Use a comma before and, but, for, nor, or, so, or yet when the conjunction joins independent clauses.
EXAMPLES Radha loves to play in chess tournaments, and she is an able player.
Jeff finished his chemistry project first, but his results were not reliable.

Don’t confuse a compound sentence with a simple sentence that has a compound verb.
COMPOUND SENTENCE Cal wrote a short story, and he sent it to a magazine editor.
SIMPLE SENTENCE Cal wrote a short story and sent it to a magazine editor.
MECHANICS

EXERCISE Add commas where they are needed in the following sentences. If a sentence is already
correct, write C before the item number.

,
Example 1. Don’t talk to the lifeguard or she will lose her concentration.

1. Guillermo ordered two books from a catalog but they haven’t arrived yet.
2. Hank gave away the tickets for he had made other plans and couldn’t go.
3. Dr. Ling saw her surgery patients and then left for the conference.
4. The play was received well by the audience but the critics disliked it.
5. He refused to build a new fence nor would he repair the old one.
6. The test was very difficult yet everyone in the class passed it.
7. There was a long line in front of the theater so we decided to go to a concert.
8. Are you going to the football game or do you want to play squash?
9. Jason followed all the directions carefully but could not get the plants to grow.

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

10. The lake was calm and the moon was a bright, yellow crescent.
11. We’ve tried all sorts of cat foods yet Sparky is never satisfied.
12. Gustavo lifted the lid of the box and looked inside.
13. Basia had not cleaned her room nor had she started tidying the garage.
14. Ross missed the most spectacular meteor of the night for he had his back turned at the time.
15. I don’t really like scary movies but I’ll come with you anyway.
16. Suzanne brought some snacks to the party and her sister Rosalynne brought some punch.
17. Did you let the dog out this afternoon or did he get out on his own?
18. Margaret welcomed her guests and offered each of them a glass of punch.
19. My sister had not come home yet so I decided to start dinner by myself.
20. I cannot list the encyclopedia in my bibliography for I did not use it while writing my report.

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Commas with Nonessential Clauses and Phrases

11i. Use commas to set off nonessential subordinate clauses and nonessential participial phrases.
A nonessential (or nonrestrictive) subordinate clause or participial phrase contains informa-
tion that is not necessary to the basic meaning of the sentence.
NONESSENTIAL CLAUSE Gloria, who lives next door, is my best friend.
NONESSENTIAL PHRASE Myron, sitting by the pond, thought about his future.

An essential (or restrictive) subordinate clause or participial phrase is not set off by commas
because it contains information that is necessary to the meaning of the sentence.

MECHANICS
ESSENTIAL CLAUSE The playwright whom I most admire is Lillian Hellman.
ESSENTIAL PHRASE All people working in that factory assemble cars.

EXERCISE A On the line provided before each sentence, write N if the underlined clause or phrase is
[Link] E if it is essential. Then, add commas wherever they are needed.
N
Example ______ , ,
1. The roses which look nice in that vase were a gift from Al.

______ 1. She returned all the books that she had borrowed from the library.

______ 2. All students trying out for the track team should be excellent runners.

______ 3. Robert Frost who taught at Harvard University was a great poet.

______ 4. The man leading the parade is the mayor of our town.

______ 5. The Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which was adopted in 1920

granted women the right to vote.

______ 6. Trucks carrying explosives were not allowed to pass through the tunnel.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

______ 7. I believe you’ll like the chicken enchiladas which are a specialty at this restaurant.
______ 8. Our kitchen recently remodeled is the most comfortable room of all.

______ 9. Sylvia studied the theater’s show times listed on page 8 of the newspaper.

______ 10. Everyone who wants to have a successful garden must weed it regularly.

EXERCISE B Add commas to the following sentences where necessary. If a sentence is already correct,
write C before the item number.

, ,
Example 1. Moira thinking hard finally remembered the answer to the question.

11. John who was named after his father decided to name his son something else.
12. Dermot remembering his training lifted the box with his knees and not with his back.
13. The students who finished the test before eleven o’clock were allowed to leave early.
14. The congresswoman first elected to the House of Representatives in 1998 served for six years.
15. Many books written by Stephen King have been made into movies.

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Commas with Introductory Elements

11j. Use a comma after certain introductory elements.
EXAMPLES Yes, I’d like to see that movie. [introductory word]
Okay, let’s see it tonight. [mild exclamation]
Smoldering, the embers emitted a soft glow. [participle or participial phrase]
From all of the Mexican foods on the table, I took a small serving of each. [long or
multiple prepositional phrases]
While the spectators cheered, Pasqual ran forty yards. [adverb clause]
MECHANICS

EXERCISE Add commas where they are needed in the following sentences. If a sentence is already
correct, write C before the item number.

,
Example 1. Riding on the bus Tanay suddenly felt sleepy.

1. When I moved from Georgia to North Dakota I learned what winter means!
2. Well I want to read more about the candidates before I make my decision.
3. Walking through the museum we saw many interesting exhibits.
4. At the end of The African Queen Charlie and Rose get married.
5. Yes I would be happy to give you a ride to the airport.
6. While mowing the lawn Gigi found a small patch of forget-me-nots.
7. In the shop window we saw Eric Kraft’s latest novel.
8. On a clear day in the early spring flocks of migrating birds swept by.
9. Why what a surprise to travel all the way to New York and meet a neighbor!

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

10. Whispering Lars told her the secret ingredient in his spaghetti sauce.
11. Laughing Jim put the magazine back on the table.
12. Well let me think about that for a moment.
13. Of all the short stories in the anthology my favorite is “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner.
14. While the audience was dazzled by the flash the magician disappeared.
15. When the scarecrow said good-bye to Dorothy Steve began to cry.
16. On the lawn we found the morning newspaper.
17. Sweating the runner finished the race at the hottest part of the day.
18. Okay let’s start the game.
19. Out of all the cats in the shelter Jorge picked the orange tabby.
20. As her father looked on proudly Celia took the gold medal for gymnastics.

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Commas with Interrupters

11k. Use commas to set off an expression that interrupts a sentence.
(1) Use commas to set off nonessential appositives and nonessential appositive phrases.

EXAMPLE Paul Newman, the famous actor and director, is a generous philanthropist.

(2) Use commas to set off words used in direct address.

EXAMPLE As I have said before, Luisa, you are a fine writer.

(3) Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions.

MECHANICS
EXAMPLE I believe, in fact, that this city needs more recreational areas.

EXERCISE Add commas where they are needed in the following sentences. If a sentence is already
correct, write C before the item number.

,
Example 1. The first city on their itinerary was Harrisburg the capital of Pennsylvania.

1. Senator Schwartz I believe is the best candidate for that office.

2. Elephants the largest mammals in Africa are now considered endangered.
3. Dorothea tell me about your scholarship to Stanford University.
4. Ana is the only student in our school in fact who has ever lived in China.
5. I’d like to understand Kris your feelings that led to your decision.
6. Are you familiar with the works of the photographer Julia Cameron?
7. Dr. Montero the only pediatrician on the staff has office hours today.
8. Only synthetic materials she says will be used in clothes of the future.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

9. In Casablanca for example Humphrey Bogart delivers a startling performance.

10. I’d appreciate your prompt reply Mr. Montgomery.
11. If I’ve told you once Nicci I’ve told you a thousand times, don’t slouch at the dinner table.
12. Do you know the car I mean the red convertible with the silver hubcaps?
13. Accepting the award will be Emily James the producer of the documentary.
14. This manuscript reads like the work of author Sandra Cisneros.
15. Meanwhile the train pulled into Waterloo Station.
16. M. R. James not Henry James wrote the ghost story “Casting the Runes.”
17. Dr. Livingston I presume?
18. The actor Edward James Olmos will be our speaker this morning.
19. The elephant for instance is native to both Africa and India.
20. Have you ever seen Paths of Glory the anti-war film by Stanley Kubrick?

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Using Commas
11f. Use commas to separate items in a series.
11g. Use commas to separate two or more adjectives preceding a noun.
11h. Use a comma before and, but, for, nor, or, so, or yet when the conjunction joins independent clauses.
11i. Use commas to set off nonessential subordinate clauses and nonessential participial phrases.
11j. Use a comma after certain introductory elements.
11k. Use commas to set off an expression that interrupts a sentence.
MECHANICS

EXERCISE Add commas where they are needed in the following sentences. If a sentence is already
correct, write C before the item number.

,
Example 1. Lisa may I offer you some juice or a glass of spring water?

1. Oh have you seen my dog Wolfie?

2. Tonya who read the book before I did enjoyed it enormously.
3. Seth wanted to play in the band but he couldn’t make it to rehearsal on Tuesday.
4. Have you seen the movie, too?
5. Clarence by practicing all weekend was able to play the song on the guitar on Monday.
6. The reflection off the water threw bright quivering spots against the side of the boat.
7. Reverie our high school’s literary magazine is accepting submissions.
8. The initial research was done by Raji, Candace, and Benson.

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

9. Gosh you’ve really grown since I saw you last.
10. Have you ever seen 2001: A Space Odyssey the film by Stanley Kubrick?
11. The batter knocked the dirt off her cleats put on a helmet and took a couple of swings.
12. Which towel do you want, the red one the blue one or the green one?
13. Linda considered attending the seminar but decided to stay home and work instead.
14. The bright red car nosed carefully through the narrow crowded street.
15. The dark mysterious stranger loomed in the doorway.
16. Yes I think you could say I’m bored.
17. The actress who played Queen Elizabeth Judi Dench won an Academy Award.
18. You may help yourself to the buffet, or you may order from the menu.
19. My friend Barton McManus Jr. has a great recipe for curry.
20. Tom Hanks Sylvester Stallone and Gene Hackman have all done voices for animated films.

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