Items in Series
I took my backpack my computer my gym bag and my phone to school.
I took my backpack, my computer, my gym bag, and my phone to school.
They rode the bus to school but they preferred to walk.
They rode the bus to school, but they preferred to walk.
Our car which is a Subaru has four wheel drive.
Our car, which is a Subaru, has four wheel drive.
Sure I can help.
Sure, I can help.
My car a subaru has all-wheel drive.
My car, a subaru, has all-wheel drive.
They were a curious intelligent and hard-working student.
They were a curious, intelligent, and hard-working student.
He went to the movies after school and then he went home.
He went to the movies after school, and then he went home.
The college that I visited over the weekend has a world-class astronomy department.
The college that I visited over the weekend has a world-class astronomy department. (no commas)
"Dave do you know the answer to number seven?"
"Dave, do you know the answer to number seven?"
This is indeed an excellent essay.
This is, indeed, an excellent essay.
The hike to our campsite involved crossing a wide stream climbing a steep mountain descending down a narrow rocky trail and hacking our way through dense underbrush.
The hike to our campsite involved crossing a wide stream, climbing a steep mountain, descending down a rocky trail, and hacking our way through dense underbrush.
Macey loves to play basketball so she practices all the time.
Macey loves to play basketball, so she practices all the time.
Swimmers who have already mastered the butterfly can swim the individual medley.
Swimmers who have already mastered the butterfly can swim the individual medley. (no commas)
After a long walk on the beach we returned home for dinner.
After a long walk on the beach, we returned home for dinner.
What is the difference in meaning between these two sentences?
1. This is my friend Dave.
2. This is my friend, Dave.
In sentence one, Dave is the friend. In sentence two, Dave is being introduced to someone else who is the friend.
For dinner the dining hall offered macaroni and cheese spaghetti and meatballs franks and beans or pizza.
For dinner, the dining hall offered macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs, franks and beans, or pizza.
She loves cooking however she isn't very good at it.
She loves cooking; however, she isn't very good at it.
Sasha Petrosky who opened a bar in New York called Milk and Honey died very young.
Sasha Petrosky, who opened a bar in New York called Milk and Honey, died very young.
Sprinting past the competition Lindsey broke the school record in the hundred meter dash.
Sprinting past the competition, Lindsey broke the school record in the hundred meter dash.
Many people consider France to be the country that produces the world's finest cheeses however the undisputed king of all cheeses is Parmigiano Reggiano an Italian cheese.
Many people consider France to be the country that produces the world's finest cheeses; however, the undisputed king of all cheeses is Parmigiano Reggiano, an Italian cheese.
The jazz band consisted of the following members: Miles Davis trumpet John Coltrane saxophone Bill Evans piano Paul Chambers bass and Jimmy Cobb drums.
The jazz band consisted of the following members: Miles Davis, trumpet; John Coltrane, saxophone; Bill Evans, piano; Paul Chambers, bass; and Jimmy Cobb, drums.
I scored the game-winning home run and earned the team a spot in the playoffs.
I scored the game-winning home run and earned the team a spot in the playoffs. (no comma)
What is the difference in meaning between these two sentences?
1. My uncle who lives in Detroit owns a big boat.
2. My uncle, who lives in Detroit, owns a big boat.
In sentence 1 the narrator has more than one uncle. In sentence 2 the narrator has only one uncle.
Although many people ignore this particular rule it is forbidden to wear open-toed shoes to class.
Although many people ignore this particular rule, it is forbidden to wear open-toed shoes to class.
On the bus home from the game I rode with Eddie Oscar Miguel Terry and Ron and Jim Kathleen Marge and Josh went home with their parents.
On the bus home from the game, I rode with Eddie, Oscar, Miguel, Terry, and Ron; and Jim, Kathleen, Marge, and Josh went home with their parents.