Commas
Add the comma:
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?:
That puppy is going to grow up to be enormous check out the size of his paws and will eat us out of house and home.
–check out the size of his paws–
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. (the neighbor's dog)
They are used to provide information that might interrupt the normal flow of the sentence, but is important to know.
Commas
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.
Add the comma:
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) - rules-
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.
Used to signal an interruption, or to add emphasis to the information within.
Dashes
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.
Parenthesis
The new restaurant in town (the one with the yellow sign out front) was crowded Friday night.
What is the nonrestrictive element in the sentence:
The children needed Wolverines which are sturdy shoes but they're expensive.
, which are sturdy shoes,
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 Chief Financial Officer CFO this company has ever had.
At 25, she became the youngest Chief Financial Officer (CFO) this company has ever had.
They can be used to add extra information in the middle of a sentence.
Commas
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.
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 separated by dash(es):
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) The schoolboy 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)
These add a little note or extra information with the words contained within them.
Parentheses
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.
Where should the commas go?
The suspect in the lineup who owns a red car committed the crime.
, who owns a red car,
Why is this information separated with a dash?
I wont be in work today - I'm sick.
A) To add emphasis to the fact that I won't be in to work today
B) To separate a 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
These are used to set off nonrestrictive elements in a sentence
Commas, Parentheses and Dashes
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
Minneapolis, which has a population of about 400 thousand, is the largest city in Minnesota.