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Commas with Interrupters
Semicolons
Colons
Introductory Words, Phrases, and Clauses
Other Uses of Commas
100
Set off the nonessential phrase with commas in the sentence. If the phrase is essential do not set it off. The schoolhouse built in 1905 had only one room.
What is The schoolhouse, built in 1905, had only one room.
100
Restructure this sentence to include a semicolon. The classroom was quiet, and the students were reading silently.
What is the classroom was quiet; the students were reading silently. NOTE: Semicolons can replace commas and FANBOYS.
100
Insert the colon where it is necessary. Computer equipment today includes the following hardware hard drives, monitors, laser printers, modems, CD/ROM players, and speakers.
What is Computer equipment today includes the following hardware: hard drives, monitors, laser printers, modems, CD/ROM players, and speakers.
100
Add the comma where needed. Well there may be a simpler solution to this problem.
What is Well, there may be a simpler solution to this problem.
100
Insert the comma correctly in the following sentence: Chico Mendes a rubber tapper in Brazil, was known for his opposition to the destruction of the Amazon.
What is Chico Mendes, a rubber tapper in Brazil, was known for his opposition to the destruction of the Amazon.
200
Set off the nonessential phrase with commas in the sentence. If the phrase is essential do not set it off.  Loretta who is captain of the soccer team is also president of the math club.
What is Loretta, who is captain of the soccer team, is also president of the math club.
200
Restructure this sentence to include a semicolon. One of Atahualpa's men, who was transporting tons of gold and silver, heard about Atahualpa's death he hid the treasure in the Llanganates Mountains, where it is still hidden.
What is One of Atahualpa's men, who was transporting tons of gold and silver, heard about Atahualpa's death; he hid the treasure in the Llanganates Mountains, where it is still hidden.
200
Insert the colon where it is necessary. 600 P.M.
What is 6:00 P.M.
200
Add the comma where needed. From our window on the second floor we watched the Thanksgiving Day parade.
What is From our window on the second floor, we watched the Thanksgiving Day parade.
200
Insert the comma correctly in the following sentence: Maria do you agree with my opinion?
What is Maria, do you agree with my opinion?
300
Set off the nonessential phrase with commas in the sentence. If the phrase is essential do not set it off.  The dancer who won the award was not there to accept her prize.
What is The dancer who won the award was not there to accept her prize.
300
Restructure this sentence to include a semicolon. The Incas had been involved in a long civil war before Pizarro arrived otherwise, Pizarro would not have been able to so easily capture their newly appointed king, Atahualpa.
What is The Incas had been involved in a long civil war before Pizarro arrived; otherwise, Pizarro would not have been able to so easily capture their newly appointed king, Atahualpa.
300
Insert the colon where it is necessary. After school I have to do three things practice piano, finish my homework, and walk the dog.
What is After school I have to do three things: practice piano, finish my homework, and walk the dog.
300
Add the comma where needed. When I visited a museum in San Francisco I saw Rivera's painting Two Mexican Women and Child.
What is When I visited a museum in San Francisco, I saw Rivera's painting Two Mexican Women and Child.
300
Insert the comma(s) correctly in the following sentence: Chico Mendez of course did not sit quietly while this clearing was happening.
What is Chico Mendez, of course, did not sit quietly while this clearing was happening.
400
Set off the nonessential phrase with commas in the sentence. If the phrase is essential do not set it off.  The announcement made by the president startled everyone.
What is The announcement made by the president startled everyone.
400
Restructure this sentence to include a semicolon. In the 1500s, Francisco Pizarro and his followers came to Peru from Spain they were in search of gold and silver.
What is In the 1500s, Francisco Pizarro and his followers came to Peru from Spain; they were in search of gold and silver.
400
Insert the colon where it is necessary. I remember what my mom used to always tell me before going to a friend's house "Eat all of your food, even if you don't like it."
What is I remember what my mom used to always tell me before going to a friend's house: "Eat all of your food, even if you don't like it."
400
Add the comma where needed. As I studied the painting a feeling of calmness came over me.
What is As I studied the painting, a feeling of calmness came over me.
400
Insert the comma(s) correctly in the following sentence: Chico Mendez must have saved thousands of acres of rain forest I suppose.
What is Chico Mendez must have saved thousands of acres of rain forest, I suppose.
500
Set off the nonessential phrase with commas in the sentence. If the phrase is essential do not set it off.  The students trying out for the team assembled in the gym.
What is The students trying out for the team assembled in the gym.
500
Restructure this sentence to include a semicolon. The game was not exciting enough for me I got bored and fell asleep.
What is The game was not exciting enough for me; I got bored and fell asleep.
500
Inset the colons where they are necessary. To Whom It May Concern My daughter Kate has been feeling very ill at school lately. She has the following symptoms runny nose, coughing, headache, fever, and chest pain.
What is To Whom It May Concern: My daughter Kate has been feeling very ill at school lately. She has the following symptoms: runny nose, coughing, headache, fever, and chest pain.
500
Add the comma where needed. Reading about Rivera in this book on art history I learned that Rivera is one of Mexico's most famous painters.
What is Reading about Rivera in this book on art history, I learned that Rivera is one of Mexico's most famous painters.
500
Insert the comma(s) correctly in the following sentence: Of course many trees the source of life for many in the Amazon are being cut down every day I think.
What is Of course, many trees, the source of life for many in the Amazon, are being cut down every day, I think.