Comma Misuse
Dependent Clauses
Interrupters
Quotes and Adjectives
Brain Busters
100

The football coach from my school, and the music teacher from your school are married.

The football coach from my school and the music teacher from your school are married.

100

Although I don't usually eat vegetables that broccoli does smell good!

Although I don't usually eat vegetables, that broccoli does smell good!

100

The game as you remember was a tie.

The game, as you remember, was a tie.

100

My dad said, "Sit down" and so I sat.

My dad said, "Sit down," and so I sat.

100

Sitting in the atrium, Marcus chatted pleasantly with a pretty student from his chemistry class, but then he had to leave suddenly, because he noticed that he had only thirty seconds to get to Professor Spottke's English class on time.

Sitting in the atrium, Marcus chatted pleasantly with a pretty student from his chemistry class, but then he had to leave suddenly because he noticed that he had only thirty seconds to get to Professor Spottke's English class on time.

200

When it comes to eating people differ in their tastes.

When it comes to eating, people differ in their tastes.

200

Although, since, when, because, until, even, if, before, and while are all examples of what.

Words that can start a dependent clause.

200

Interrupters that are set off by commas are those which are ________ to the meaning of the sentence.

What is nonessential?

200

The slimy smelly lettuce on my burrito made me ask the manager for my money back.

The slimy, smelly lettuce on my burrito made me ask the manager for my money back.

200

As Irene scooped stuffing out of the Thanksgiving turkey, she saw gold glinting from the breadcrumbs, finally, she had found her earring, which she had lost early that morning.

As Irene scooped stuffing out of the Thanksgiving turkey, she saw gold glinting from the breadcrumbs. Finally, she had found her earring, which she had lost early that morning.

300

He became very angry, when he saw the size of the bill.

He became very angry when he saw the size of the bill. OR When he saw the size of the bill, he became very angry.

300

Melissa couldn't study for her comma quiz, because she fell asleep in front of the television.

Melissa couldn't study for her comma quiz because she fell asleep in front of the television. OR Because she fell asleep in front of the television, Melissa couldn't study for her comma quiz.

300

Fred, famous for his banjo playing was a hit at the party.

Fred, famous for his banjo playing, was a hit at the party.

300

"Don't eat that cheese!" said Lois. "It's over six months old", she explained.

"Don't eat that cheese!" said Lois. "It's over six months old," she explained.

300
Because Gloria is such a picky housekeeper she inspects any dishwashing that her roommate Delores does checking, for example that all the lipstick has been removed from the rims of cups and glasses.
Because Gloria is such a picky housekeeper, she inspects any dishwashing that her roommate Delores does, checking, for example, that all the lipstick has been removed from the rims of cups and glasses.
400

A proud man Brandon, usually never backed down from an argument but, this time was different.

A proud man, Brandon usually never backed down from an argument, but this time was different.

400

After you sneezed all over the tuna salad no one wants to eat anything until the table is sanitized.

After you sneezed all over the tuna salad, no one wants to eat anything until the table is sanitized.

400

Jane whom you met at the party last night wants to know if you ever found your purse.

Jane, whom you met at the party last night, wants to know if you ever found your purse.

400

To get to the next page just press the little button marked "Enter."

To get to the next page, just press the little button marked "Enter."

400
Allowing even a small dog to sleep on the bed can cause problems for in the night the animal will slowly uncurl and steal more than its fair share of pillows blanket and mattress.
Allowing even a small dog to sleep on the bed can cause problems, for in the night the animal will slowly uncurl and steal more than its fair share of pillows, blanket, and mattress.
500

I came, I saw, I conquered.

I came. I saw. I conquered.

500

Because Sarah has chemistry at the other end of campus she must run to her 10 a.m. class ignoring all of her friends who try to greet her on the way.

Because Sarah has chemistry at the other end of campus, she must run to her 10 a.m. class, ignoring all of her friends who try to greet her on the way.

500

At last I met Dr. Smith the radiologist who had saved Mrs. Jones' life and was able to thank her for her efforts.

At last I met Dr. Smith, the radiologist who had saved Mrs. Jones' life, and was able to thank her for her efforts.

500

"I don't care what you think anymore" she said jauntily tossing back her hair and looking askance at Edward

"I don't care what you think anymore," she said, jauntily tossing back her hair and looking askance at Edward

500
Belinda hates her psychology class, although her professor is an interesting lecturer, the auditorium is right next to the copy center, and the whump, whump, whump of the machines always makes Belinda drowsy.
Belinda hates her psychology class. Although her professor is an interesting lecturer, the auditorium is right next to the copy center, and the whump, whump, whump of the machines always makes Belinda drowsy.
M
e
n
u