Commas
Add the comma(s):
I was born on July 4th Independence Day just like my dad.
A) I was born on July 4th, Independence Day, just like my dad.
B) I was born on, July 4th, Independence Day just like my dad.
C) I was born, on July 4th Independence Day, just like my dad.
A) I was born on July 4th, Independence Day, just like my dad.
What is the nonrestrictive element that should be set off by dashes?:
The actors bowed except for the horse knowing they performed wonderfully!
The actors bowed—except for the horse—knowing they blew everyone away!
What is the nonrestrictive element that should be set off by parentheses?
Skippy the neighbor's dog always runs into our yard to pick up broken branches.
A. (to pick up broken branches)
B. (always runs into our yard)
C. (the neighbor's dog)
C. Skippy (the neighbor's dog) always runs into our yard to pick up broken branches.
Should you use commas, parentheses, or dashes in the following sentence?
I need to go to the store to get bread milk and eggs.
Commas
I need to go to the store to get bread, milk, and eggs.
They are used to provide information that might interrupt the normal flow of the sentence, but information that is important to know.
Commas
Add the comma(s):
The U. S. Coast Survey established in 1807 was the first scientific agency in this country.
A) The U. S. Coast Survey established in 1807 was the, first scientific agency, in this country.
B) The U. S. Coast Survey established in 1807, was the first scientific agency, in this country.
C) The U. S. Coast Survey, established in 1807, was the first scientific agency in this country.
C) The U. S. Coast Survey, established in 1807, was the first scientific agency in this country.
Add dashes:
The protocol rules to be followed was to save such tricks only for a real dog fight.
A) - only -
B) - rules to be followed -
C) - such tricks only -
B) - rules to be followed -
What is the nonrestrictive element that should be set off by parentheses?
The house at the end of the street the one I think is beautiful is for sale.
A. (at the end of the street)
B. (the one I think is beautiful)
C. (I think is beautiful)
B. The house at the end of the street (the one I think is beautiful) is for sale.
Should you use commas, parentheses, or dashes in the following sentence?
The new restaurant in town the one with the yellow sign out front was crowded Friday night.
Parentheses
The new restaurant in town (the one with the yellow sign out front) was crowded Friday night.
Used to signal an interruption, or to add emphasis to the information within.
Dashes
What nonrestrictive element should the commas set off?:
The children needed Wolverines which are sturdy shoes but they're expensive.
The children needed Wolverines, which are sturdy shoes, but they're expensive.
Add dashes around the nonrestrictive element:
I took Binky my favorite cat to the vet.
I took Binky - my favorite cat - to the vet.
Add parentheses:
At 25, she became the youngest CFO Chief Financial Officer this company has ever had.
At 25, she became the youngest CFO (Chief Financial Officer) this company has ever had.
Should you use commas, parentheses, or dashes in the following sentence?
I told you I can't never mind.
Dash
I told you I can't - never mind.
They can be used after introductory clauses.
Commas
How can commas be used?
A) To separate list items
B) To separate nonrestrictive elements
C) Both A and B
D) None of the above
C) Both A and B
What nonrestrictive element needs to be separated by dashes:
The schoolboy finally answered after taking a few seconds to make up a story that he hadn't thrown the paper ball at all.
A) - finally answered -
B) - after taking a few seconds to make up a story -
C) - he hadn't thrown the ball -
B) after taking a few seconds to make up a story
As you turn right you will notice a large yellow house the one with a white picket fence and its beautiful front porch.
What words are the nonrestrictive elements?
A. (large yellow)
B. (the one with a white picket fence)
C. (beautiful)
B. (the one with a white picket fence)
Should you use commas, parentheses, or dashes in the following sentence?
The horse which had been missing for days suddenly returned to the pasture.
Dashes
The horse — which had been missing for days — suddenly returned to the pasture.
These add a little note or extra information with the words contained within them.
Parentheses
Where should the comma(s) go?
The suspect in the lineup who owns a red car committed the crime.
The suspect in the lineup, who owns a red car, committed the crime.
.
Why is this information separated with a dash?
I won't be at work today - I'm sick.
A) To add emphasis to the fact that I won't be at work today
B) To separate nonessential elements.
C) To add emphasis to the fact that I'm sick.
C) To add emphasis to the fact that I'm sick.
My best friend (and his parents) traveled to Belgium last spring.
Why were parentheses used here?
A. To add extra information.
B. To separate a very important element.
C. To provide the full term for an abbreviation.
A. To add extra information
Should you use commas, parentheses, or dashes in the following sentence?
Minneapolis which has a population of about 400 thousand is the largest city in Minnesota.
Commas or Parentheses
, which has a population of about 400 thousand,
(which has a population of about 400 thousand)
These are used to set off nonrestrictive elements in a sentence
Commas, Parentheses and Dashes