List of Adjectives
In a Series
Compound Sentences
Introductory Clause or Phrase
Nonessential or Essential Clauses
100
I like interesting exciting books.
I like interesting, exciting books.
100
For breakfast, I had cereal juice and toast.
For breakfast, I had cereal, juice, and toast.
100
Lydia liked her new house but she didn't like the front yard.
Lydia liked her new house, but she didn't like the front yard.
100
When our class visited the city aquarium I remembered my childhood vacations at the beach.
When our class visited the city aquarium, I remembered my childhood vacations at the beach.
100
Mrs. Smith who is a retired teacher does voluntary work at the library. (Hint: if the clause is ESSENTIAL, there are NO COMMAS!)
Mrs. Smith, who is a retired teacher, does voluntary work at the library.
200
Did you hear about Walter's happy long life?
Did you hear about Walter's happy, long life?
200
We read books played games and went outside to swing.
We read books, played games, and went outside to swing.
200
John bought some new shoes and he wore them to a party.
John bought some new shoes, and he wore them to a party.
200
After driving for more than eight fun-filled hours we finally arrived at the motel.
After driving for more than eight fun-filled hours, we finally arrived at the motel.
200
The lawnmower that is in the garage needs sharpening. (Hint: if the clause is ESSENTIAL, there are NO COMMAS!)
The lawnmower that is in the garage needs sharpening. (NO COMMA!)
300
While writing his final exam, a pale sweating panicky student stared at his sentence, trying to decide if a comma was necessary.
While writing his final exam, a pale, sweating, panicky student stared at his sentence, trying to decide if a comma was necessary.
300
In fact, the bus was full of people who got dressed who brushed their teeth and who ate breakfast this morning.
In fact, the bus was full of people who got dressed, who brushed their teeth, and who ate breakfast this morning.
300
The sun is shining through the clouds so I think that we can go swimming.
The sun is shining through the clouds, so I think that we can go swimming.
300
Having formed an instant bond the boy and the puppy quickly became inseparable.
Having formed an instant bond, the boy and the puppy quickly became inseparable.
300
My grandfather who lives on a farm said he would teach me to ride a horse. (Hint: if the clause is ESSENTIAL, there are NO COMMAS!)
My grandfather, who lives on a farm, said he would teach me to ride a horse.
400
The hungry slimy green Martian entered the classroom and abducted Claudia.
The hungry, slimy, green Martian entered the classroom and abducted Claudia.
400
Belle requested a jelly doughnut a silk dress four sports cars and a racehorse in exchange for the rights to the computer code she had written.
Belle requested a jelly doughnut, a silk dress, four sports cars, and a racehorse in exchange for the rights to the computer code she had written.
400
After our trip to the beach school started again and I was excited to see my friends.
After our trip to the beach, school started again, and I was excited to see my friends.
400
If I go I plan to leave early.
If I go, I plan to leave early.
400
The man who left his wallet is coming back for it. (Hint: if the clause is ESSENTIAL, there are NO COMMAS!)
The man who left his wallet is coming back for it. (NO COMMA!)
500
The hot spicy appetizing chili steamed in a bowl on the clean shiny kitchen counter.
The hot, spicy, appetizing chili steamed in a bowl on the clean, shiny kitchen counter.
500
The kindergarten teacher invited John the baker Simon the policeman and Toby the architect for the career day. (Hint: this one involves semicolons!)
The kindergarten teacher invited John, the baker; Simon, the policeman; and Toby, the architect for the career day.
500
L. Frank Baum wrote The Wizard of Oz as a political allegory yet few people today would recognize the original events in his story.
L. Frank Baum wrote The Wizard of Oz as a political allegory, yet few people today would recognize the original events in his story.
500
In May April and June are going on vacation.
In May, April and June are going on vacation.
500
Our cross-country drive which was supposed to take us from California to Florida was cut short just two states in. (Hint: if the clause is ESSENTIAL, there are NO COMMAS!)
Our cross-country drive, which was supposed to take us from California to Florida, was cut short just two states in.
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