ENG II B: COMMAS EXERCISE LEARNING TARGET 4 FORMATIVE 3 EXERCISE 1 LEARNING TARGET 4: Use commas to set off nonessential clauses and nonessential phrases. A nonessential clause or participial phrase adds information that is not necessary to the main idea in the sentence. DIRECTIONS Determine whether each of the following sentences (which contain nonessential clauses) is punctuated correctly. On the line provided, write C if the punctuation is correct or I if it is incorrect. If a sentence is punctuated incorrectly, correct it by writing the word preceding the comma and the comma. EXAMPLES 1. That boy who just ran by is my teammate. I boy, by,_____________________________________________________________________ 2. The ring, which belonged to my grandmother, is very precious to me. C______________________________________________________________________________ 1. Mary Angela, who is only three years old, plays very well with other toddlers and speaks with the clarity of a first-grader. _____________________________________________________________________ 2. Their cat which often sits on our porch is black and white. _____________________________________________________________________ 3. Uncle John for whom I purchased the sweater will be delighted to be remembered on his birthday. _____________________________________________________________________ 4. Giving blood is a regular routine for Mr. Johnson who one required a massive transfusion. _____________________________________________________________________ 5. This yellow rose, which Ms. Middlebook gave us, is opening beautifully and has a delicate scent._________________________________________________________ 6. My favorite book which I just gave Marie is very worn. _____________________________________________________________________ 7. That stuffed animal which was given to use by Aunt Jane has survived the affection of three children._______________________________________________ 8. Durable plastics, which were developed specifically for the space program, are used to make household items. ___________________________________________ BE SURE TO TURN YOUR PAPER OVER KMH taken from Warriner’s English Composition and Grammar Workbook (Green) page 245 rev.04/14 9. We gave your message to Mr. Payne who was glad to see us. _____________________________________________________________________ 10. The salesperson overwhelmed by the holiday shoppers began making careless mistakes._____________________________________________________________ 11. The most successful farmer in town is Zeke who has won top prizes at the county fair for the past ten years. _____________________________________________________________________ 12. The visitors tired of knocking on the front door walked around to the back. _____________________________________________________________________ 13. Ms. Jordan to whom the question was addressed looked surprised. _____________________________________________________________________ 14. Bird songs, which issue from a unique set of muscles int he bird’s throat, are heard most often in the morning and evening._____________________________________ 15. On our street all the neighbors who make up a friendly group have organized a block party. _____________________________________________________________________ 16. We went to the fair, an annual event that draws large crowds. _____________________________________________________________________ KMH taken from Warriner’s English Composition and Grammar Workbook (Green) page 245 rev.04/14