introductory parts of sentences
separate items in a list
separate two complete
thoughts
separate a direct quotation from the rest of a sentence
interrupt the flow of a sentence
100

When the lecture was over everyone started packing up to go home.

When the lecture was over, everyone started packing up to go home

100

We went to the store and bought bread milk cheese and eggs.

We went to the store and bought bread, milk, cheese, and eggs.

100

You can go shopping with me or you can go to a movie alone

You can go shopping with me, or you can go to a movie alone

100

Mary said “I dislike concerts because the music is too loud.”

Mary said, “I dislike concerts because the music is too loud.”

100

My father unlike my mother loves to watch scary movies.

My father, unlike my mother, loves to watch scary movies.

200

Because they had heard so much about the movie they weren’t surprised when it began with a cartoon.

Because they had heard so much about the movie, they weren’t surprised when it began with a cartoon.

200

While taking a test you must be silent keep your eyes on your own paper and find something productive to do when you're done.

While taking a test, you must be silent, keep your eyes on your own paper, and find something productive to do when you're done.

200

When I have extra time I enjoy reading but I also enjoy watching movies.

When I have extra time, I enjoy reading, but I also enjoy watching movies.

200

“I dislike concerts because the music is too loud” she said.

“I dislike concerts because the music is too loud,” she said.

200

The new manager a former player for the team commented that he was excited to be back in a familiar space.

The new manager, a former player for the team, commented that he was excited to be back in a familiar space.

300

Barking insistently Smokey got us to throw his ball for him.

Barking insistently, Smokey got us to throw his ball for him.

300

He told us that he was going to drive to the store walk around the isles and find us what we need.

He told us that he was going to drive to the store, walk around the isles, and find us what we need.

300

I really enjoyed the breakfast that you made but I am still hungry and thirsty.  

I really enjoyed the breakfast that you made, but I am still hungry and thirsty. 

300

“I dislike concerts” proclaimed Mary “because the music is too loud.”

“I dislike concerts,” proclaimed Mary, “because the music is too loud.”

300

The group's leader a long time activist urged the group to take political action.

The group's leader, a long time activist, urged the group to take political action.

400

The wind blowing violently the townspeople began to seek shelter.

The wind blowing violently, the townspeople began to seek shelter.

400

The instructor looked through his briefcase through his desk and around the office for the lost grade book.

The instructor looked through his briefcase, through his desk, and around the office for the lost grade book.

400

Before you stop by my house can you stop by the store and can you grab some bread?

Before you stop by my house, can you stop by the store, and can you grab some bread?

400

He said "I may forget your name but I never forget a face."

He said, "I may forget your name, but I never forget a face."

400

The coach always careful with his words intentionally avoided saying anything that a reporter could quote in the newspaper.

The coach, always careful with his words, intentionally avoided saying anything that a reporter could quote in the newspaper.

500

A popular and well respected mayor Bailey was the clear favorite in the campaign for governor.

A popular and well respected mayor, Bailey was the clear favorite in the campaign for governor.

500

Mary promised that she would be on her best behavior that she would listen and that she would be respectful.

Mary promised that she would be on her best behavior, that she would listen, and that she would be respectful.

500

I don't care if you want to leave but I am going to stay because I am having a good time.

I don't care if you want to leave, but I am going to stay because I am having a good time.

500

The sign read “Walk” and then it said “Don't Walk.”

The sign read, “Walk,” and then it said, “Don't Walk.”

500

Having demonstrated a decided lack of ethics the CEO was needless to say dismissed from the company.

Having demonstrated a decided lack of ethics, the CEO was, needless to say, dismissed from the company.

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