PAUSE
SERIES
SEPARATE SENTENCES
AVOID CONFUSION
COMMA OVERUSE
100
Where are you most likely to find the comma in this sentence: Joan his big sister often rode her bike to school.
Joan, his big sister, often rode her bike to school.
100
Please place the cups jars and plates into the cabinet.
Please place the cups, jars, and plates into the cabinet.
100
Nathanael robbed the bank and then she went out for a hamburger.
Nathanael robbed the bank, and then she went out for a hamburger.
100
Did the lion eat David?
Did the lion eat, David?
100
Billy, and Buster wanted burgers for dinner.
Billy and Buster wanted burgers for dinner.
200
In order to win you must practice hard.
In order to win, you must practice hard.
200
we saw a happy lively poodle.
we saw a happy, lively poodle.
200
Shane is a diva but apart from that he is not a bad fellow.
Shane is a diva, but apart from that he is not a bad fellow.
200
James my neighbor is a doctor.
James, my neighbor, is a doctor.
200
Rachael, and her cat were thrown from the spinning ride
Rachael and her cat were thrown from the spinning ride
300
During the hot summer of 2017 temperatures set records.
During the hot summer of 2017, temperatures set records.
300
The young girl saw the mugging screamed loudly and cried about it afterward.
The young girl saw the mugging, screamed loudly, and cried about it afterward.
300
Donald wrote a statement for the media and then screamed "fake news" at press agent for an hour
Donald wrote a statement for the media and then screamed "fake news" at press agent for an hour. (no comma needed)
300
The robber tied up the mother, and her son ran for help.
The robber tied up the mother and her son ran for help.
300
Happy with their life insurance, Patricia and Robert made plans to buy a new house, and torched the old family home.
Happy with their life insurance, Patricia and Robert made plans to buy a new house and torched the old family home.
400
where you go I will follow.
Where you go, I will follow.
400
I really don't care whom you see where you go or what you do.
I really don't care whom you see, where you go, or what you do.
400
The supervisor reported the misbehavior but the personnel committee ignored the evidence and refused to terminate the employee.
The supervisor reported the misbehavior, but the personnel committee ignored the evidence and refused to terminate the employee.
400
He did not however agree.
He did not, however, agree.
400
Hoping to become famous, Lin, and Zy started a rap group.
Hoping to become famous, Lin and Zy started a rap group.
500
"I am not tired" said James "but I am very hungry."
"I am not tired," said James, "but I am very hungry."
500
Young and old high and low rich and poor all praised the little boy’s clever tricks.
Young and old, high and low, rich and poor, all praised the little boy’s clever tricks.
500
Larry has proposed a toast to his bride but has given her nothing but a headache.
Larry has proposed a toast to his bride but has given her nothing but a headache. (no comma needed)
500
His conduct to say the least was disgusting.
His conduct to say the least was disgusting.
500
The assistants did the research and the manager wrote the report.
The assistants did the research and the manager wrote the report. (no comma needed)
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