1. Commas

2. What are commas? Commas (,) are punctuation marks that separate words and word groups to help readers understand a sentence. Commas are used to separate three or more items in a series: to separate three or more items in a series: I am wearing a hat, gloves, and a scarf.

3. to separate a compound sentence: two sentences joined by and, but, for, nor, or, so, or yet: to separate a compound sentence: two sentences joined by and, but, for, nor, or, so, or yet: I am tired every morning, but coffee wakes me up. to set off introductory words and dependent clauses: to set off introductory words and dependent clauses: Unfortunately, I won’t be able to go to your party. If I am correct, we won’t arrive until 7.

4. to set off appositives and interrupters: to set off appositives and interrupters: An appositive is a phrase that renames a noun. Marta Lopez, the president of our company, will speak at the meeting. [The underlined words rename Marta Lopez.] An interrupter is a word or word group that interrupts a sentence but does not affect the meaning of the sentence. Tim, by the way, isn’t my husband. [The underlined words interrupt the sentence.]

5. to set off adjective clauses that can be taken out of a sentence without completely changing the meaning. (Adjective clauses begin with who, which, or that.) to set off adjective clauses that can be taken out of a sentence without completely changing the meaning. (Adjective clauses begin with who, which, or that.) The Lius, who used to live in that house, moved to New Jersey. Do not use commas to set off adjective clauses essential to the meaning of a sentence. Children who see their parents read are more likely to want to read themselves.

6. 1. Choose the sentence that has no comma errors. A) Pete, when you go to the store, please buy carrots, tea, and coffee filters. B) Pete, when you go to the store, please buy carrots, tea and coffee filters. C) Pete when you go to the store, please buy carrots, tea, and coffee filters. D) none of the above

7. 1. Choose the sentence that has no comma errors. ANSWER: A) Pete, when you go to the store, please buy carrots, tea, and coffee filters. B) Pete, when you go to the store, please buy carrots, tea and coffee filters. C) Pete when you go to the store, please buy carrots, tea, and coffee filters. D) none of the above

8. 3. Choose the sentence that has no comma errors. A) At the club the band played rock pop, hip-hop and salsa. B) At the club the band played rock, pop hip-hop and salsa. C) At the club, the band played rock, pop, hip-hop, and salsa. D) none of the above

9. 3. Choose the sentence that has no comma errors. ANSWER: A) At the club the band played rock pop, hip-hop and salsa. B) At the club the band played rock, pop hip-hop and salsa. C) At the club, the band played rock, pop, hip-hop, and salsa. D) none of the above

10. 6. Choose the sentence that has no comma errors. A) According to Steve an expert on the North Pole there is no Santa Claus. B) According to Steve, an expert on the North Pole, there is no Santa Claus. C) According to Steve, an expert on the North Pole there is no Santa Claus. D) none of the above

11. 6. Choose the sentence that has no comma errors. ANSWER: A) According to Steve an expert on the North Pole there is no Santa Claus. B) According to Steve, an expert on the North Pole, there is no Santa Claus. C) According to Steve, an expert on the North Pole there is no Santa Claus. D) none of the above

12. 7. Choose the sentence that has no comma errors. A) Often, people, who get little sleep, make mistakes, have accidents, and have low energy. B) Often, people who get little sleep, make mistakes, have accidents, and have low energy. C) Often, people who get little sleep make mistakes, have accidents, and have low energy. D) none of the above

13. 7. Choose the sentence that has no comma errors. ANSWER: A) Often, people, who get little sleep, make mistakes, have accidents, and have low energy. B) Often, people who get little sleep, make mistakes, have accidents, and have low energy. C) Often, people who get little sleep make mistakes, have accidents, and have low energy. D) none of the above

14. 8. Choose the sentence that has no comma errors. A) Those who drive recklessly increase their risks of tickets arrests and accidents. B) Those, who drive recklessly, increase their risks of tickets arrests and accidents. C) Those who drive recklessly increase, their risks of tickets, arrests, and accidents. D) none of the above

15. 8. Choose the sentence that has no comma errors. ANSWER: A) Those who drive recklessly increase their risks of tickets arrests and accidents. B) Those, who drive recklessly, increase their risks of tickets arrests and accidents. C) Those who drive recklessly increase, their risks of tickets, arrests, and accidents. D) none of the above; the revision should be Those who drive recklessly increase their risks of tickets, arrests, and accidents.

16. 12. Choose the sentence that has no comma errors. A) Yes we have pizzas, subs, and calzones but we don’t make deliveries. B) Yes, we have pizzas, subs, and calzones, but we don’t make deliveries. C) Yes, we have pizzas, subs, and calzones, but, we don’t make deliveries. D) none of the above

17. 12. Choose the sentence that has no comma errors. ANSWER: A) Yes we have pizzas, subs, and calzones but we don’t make deliveries. B) Yes, we have pizzas, subs, and calzones, but we don’t make deliveries. C) Yes, we have pizzas, subs, and calzones, but, we don’t make deliveries. D) none of the above

18. 15. Choose the sentence that has no comma errors. A) I love cookies ice cream and cake, but they all make me gain weight. B) I love cookies, ice cream, and cake, but they all make me gain weight. C) I love cookies, ice cream, and cake but they all make me gain weight. D) none of the above

19. 15. Choose the sentence that has no comma errors. ANSWER: A) I love cookies ice cream and cake, but they all make me gain weight. B) I love cookies, ice cream, and cake, but they all make me gain weight. C) I love cookies, ice cream, and cake but they all make me gain weight. D) none of the above