COMMAS QUIZ #3, Part 2 of 5 Directions: In the following sentences, add commas where necessary.

If you need to review… REMEMBER: FANBOYS The PERIOD PYRAMID And the work we did on CLAUSES and DEPENDENT/INDEPENDENT sentences… See your text for SO much more…

1. May is the birthday of my young red-headed niece.

1. May 29, 1993 is the birthday of my young, red-headed niece. HINT: In dates, a comma goes between the day and year. The string of adjectives, two or more, needs commas, just like items in a series/grocery lists…

2. Helen’s new address is 3232 SE 14 th Avenue Oak Harbor Washington.

2. Helen’s new address is 3232 SE 14 th Avenue; Oak Harbor, Washington. HINT: Always a comma between CITY, STATE. Bump the COMMA up to a SEMICOLON between Avenue and Oak Harbor… Otherwise you have a string of the same things. The semicolon establishes dominance.

3. Martha I haven’t seen you at the gym.

3. Martha, I haven’t seen you at the gym. HINT: Use a COMMA after an address, in this case after MARTHA.

4. Jim Bowman the man who installed my pool called yesterday.

4. Jim Bowman, the man who installed my pool, called yesterday. HINT: JIM and THE MAN are the same person. You could do without/ THROW OUT “the man…”, so put COMMAS on EACH side. This is also called an APPOSITIVE. They are POSITIVELY the same thing…

5. Many students by the way leave their research papers till the last minute.

5. Many students, by the way, leave their research papers till the last minute. HINT: BY THE WAY is an aside, you can also DO WITHOUT IT – put commas on BOTH sides.

6. On my way to class I was stung by a bee.

6. On my way to class, I was stung by a bee. HINT: When a PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE begins a sentence, put a COMMA. You put COMMAS on each side of it if it is in the MIDDLE of a sentence, but add NO COMMA if it is at the end. I was stung by a bee, on my way to class, and danced around a lot. I was stung by a bee on my way to class.

7. The tubas trumpets and trombones are stored in the locked closet.

7. The tubas, trumpets, and trombones are stored in the locked closet. HINT: Grocery listing – or three or more items in a series need commas.

8. Jennifer asked me for help and I was happy to give it.

8. Jennifer asked me for help, and I was happy to give it. HINT: Period Pyramid. If each part of the sentence on either side of the AND/FANBOY can stand alone, it needs a COMMA.

9. After I rode the roller coaster I felt sick.

9. After I rode the roller, coaster I felt sick. HINT: Preppie…

10. I called the meeting although I wasn’t sure of the agenda.

10. I called the meeting, although I wasn’t sure of the agenda. HINT: FANBOY/each side can stand alone/PERIOD PYRAMID.

11. The two adults are my parents and the man in the wheelchair is my brother.

11. The two adults are my parents, and the man in the wheelchair is my brother. HINT: Each side can stand alone…

12. Carla couldn’t wait to tell her parents her cousins and her friends.

12. Carla couldn’t wait to tell her parents, her cousins, and her friends. HINT: Grocery listing…

13. Wilma is my best friend; nevertheless we argue constantly.

13. Wilma is my best friend; nevertheless, we argue constantly. HINT: Bottom level of PERIOD PYRAMID.

14. I don’t like the idea Lester but I’ll think it over.

14. I don’t like the idea, Lester, but I’ll think it over. HINT: Lester is an aside and BOTH sides of the rest of the sentence can stand alone.

15. Bennett shopped for shoes while I shopped for clothes.

15. Bennett shopped for shoes, while I shopped for clothes. HINT: Period Pyramid/both sides can stand alone

16. Wayne said “Please pour me a cup of coffee.”

16. Wayne said, “Please pour me a cup of coffee.” HINT: Put a comma after HE SAID, SHE SAID.

17. “You may use my book” he said “until I need it back.”

17. “You may use my book,” he said, “until I need it back.” HINT: Put the first comma inside the quotes (put ALL punctuation inside quotes), and a comma after HE SAID/SHE SAID.

18. Technology has contributed to our lifestyles and we have all benefited from it.

18. Technology has contributed to our lifestyles, and we have all benefited from it. HINT: Each side can stand alone…

19. Whenever I hear my school’s anthem I get homesick and nostalgic.

19. Whenever I hear my school’s anthem, I get homesick and nostalgic. HINT: A bit tricky, as the CONJUNCTION starts the sentence, but the COMMA still goes in between the parts that can stand alone…

20. What are those hats, all those old baseball caps doing in my closet?

20. What are those hats, all those old baseball caps, doing in my closet? HINT: HATS and “all those…” are the same. Can do without/throw it out – COMMA COMMA.

All done! Need more? Aren’t you smart to know it! Look in the INDEX of your book. Perhaps your problem is with COMMAS and DATES. Look up DATES and you’ll find the pages you need. Don’t forget, I’m here to help, too. If you send me an example of your problem, and I will be glad to help! mrs :D mrs :D