Pro One: Middle School Grammar/Pro One Multimedia Middle School Grammar.iso/grammar1/chapter8.1g

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 313
à 8.1èThe Comma

ä:èIn the sentences in the Example, underline the ones that
correctly use commas.
âS:èTo fix the machine put a silicone, paste into the slot.
êëBecause I have reorganized my shelf life, can go on.
#êë╕By revising your paper more than once, you will get a
#êë╕better grade.
#êë╕Scratching the glass╕ repeatedly during the middle of the
#êë╕night, the dogs kept me up.
#╗éS Put a comma before an independent clause introduced by a fairly
lengthy prepositional phrase, participle phrase, adverb infinitive
phrase, or adverb dependent clause.ïAn example of a comma needed after
a prepositional phrase that introduces an independent clause is as
#follows: ╖During the especially cold winter in Minnesota, the grass-
#╖hopper almost froze to death.ï╗An example of a comma needed after a
participle phrase that introduces an independent clause is as follows:
#╖Reviving the intensive care patient in room C35, nurse Hall used all
#╖her skills.ï╗An example of a comma needed after an adverb infinitive
#phrase that introduces an independent clause is as follows: ╖To insti-
#╖gate the plot against the general, the officers required three heavily
#╖armored vehicles.ï╗An example of a comma needed after an adverb de-
pendent clause that introduces an independent clause is as follows:
#╖While June was getting out of her house, a bolt of lightning struck the
#╖magnolia tree next door.
 1.èWhich one of the following sentences is correctly
punctuated with a comma?
A)ïBy striking the large match against the concrete wall, Jill could
è find her way.
B)ïTo recall the past, was hard for the old man.
C)ïBending down, is painful when you have a slipped disc in your back.
D)ïå
üèThe sentence beginning with a long prepositional phrase
#requires a comma after it introduces an independent clause: ╢By striking
#╢the large match against the concrete wall, Jill could find her way.
#In another sentence, the infinitive phrase ╖to recall the past ╗is not
an introductory adverb infinitive phrase; it acts as the subject of the
#verb form ╖was.ï╗Thus no comma is needed between it and the verb.ïNote
that one comma is never inserted between a subject and a verb.ïIn the
#remaining sentence, ╖bending down ╗is a gerund phrase used as the sub-
ject.ïA comma thus should not be placed between it and its verb.
Ç A
 2.èWhich one of the following sentences is correctly
punctuated with a comma?
A)ïPositioning herself for the long-awaited parachute jump, took only
è one minute.
B)ïPlucking three strings on his banjo, Alfonse began his recital.
C)ïIn the nearby cellar, was a corroded flash light.
D)ïå
üèThe only sentence in which a comma is properly used begins with
#a participial phrase that introduces an independent clause: ╢Plucking
#╢three strings on his banjo, Alfonse began his recital.╗ïIn another
#sentence, ╖positioning herself for the long-awaited parachute jump╗ is
a gerund phrase used as the subject.ïNo comma should be put between
#it and the verb form ╖took.ï╗In the remaining sentence, no comma should
#be used after the prepositional phrase ╖in the nearby cellar,╗ not be-
cause it is fairly short, but because it is followed by a verb instead of
a subject in an independent clause.ïA comma is never placed after one
or more introductory prepositional phrases followed by a verb.
Ç B
 3.èWhich one of the following sentences is correctly
punctuated with a comma?
A)ïTo infuriate his mother-in-law, Albert siphoned off all the gas in
è her car.
B)ïTo win top honors, was Sheldon's quest.
C)ïTo earth, they fell.
D)ïå
üèThe only sentence requiring a comma begins with an adverb
#infinitive phrase followed by an independent clause: ╢To infuriate his
#╢mother-in-law, Albert siphoned off all the gas in her car.ï╗In another
#sentence, ╖╗the infinitive phrase ╖to win top honors ╗acts as the sub-
#ject of the verb form ╖was╗; a comma is not placed between a subject and
#its verb.ï╗In the remaining sentence, the introductory prepositional
#phrase ╖to earth ╗is so short that no comma is needed after it and be-
#fore the independent clause ╖they fell. ╗
Ç A
 4.èWhich one of the following sentences is correctly
punctuated with a comma?
A)ïRecapturing the fort, became his sole concern.
B)ïTo speculate in land deals, was not appealing to Patricia.
C)ïAlthough I am over fifty years old, I still like to play jacks.
D)ïå
ü
êïThe sentence beginning with the adverb dependent clause re-
#quires a comma after it: ╢Although I am over fifty years old, I still
#╢like to play jacks.ï╗In the other sentences, the gerund phrase ╖re-
#╖capturing the fort ╗and an infinitive phrase ╖to speculate in land
#╖deals ╗both act as subjects.ïTherefore, no comma is needed after them
#and before their respective verb forms ╖became ╗and ╖was appealing.╗
Ç C
ä:èIn the sentences in the Example, underline the ones that
correctly use a comma.
âS:
#êë╕The sun beat on my head, so I put on sun tan lotion.
êëThe plow dug into the ground and, I saw earthworms emerge.
êëThe acrobat landed on his elbow, but, he was supposed to
êëland on his feet.
êëHe kept his ticket, she kept hers.
éS For independent clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction
to form a compound sentence, a comma must be placed before the co-
ordinating conjunction, not after it, and not before it and after it.
And if you do not place a comma or a coordinating conjunction between
two independent clauses, the result is a run-on-sentence.ïLet's look at
#╖Abe and Stephen cleaned the latrines, for, they had overslept.ï╗The
#comma after the coordinating conjunction ╖for╗ is incorrect.ïKeeping
#that comma where it is and adding one before ╖for ╗would also be
incorrect.ïRemoving the coordinating conjunction and leaving one comma
between the two independent clauses would create a run-on-sentence.ïRe-
moving the coordinating conjunction and omitting the comma would create
a fused sentence.
 5.èWhich one of the following sentences is correctly
punctuated?

A)ïI forgave him for insulting me but, he turned his back on me.
B)ïThe deal went through as planned, yet I still felt dissatisfied.
C)ïI did not care to be confused, I wanted a clear answer right away.
D)ïå
#üèThe following compound sentence is correctly punctuated: ╢The
#╢deal went through as planned, yet I still felt dissatisfied.ï╗A comma
is properly placed after the first independent clause and before the co-
#ordinating conjunction ╢yet╗.ïThe other sentences are defective com-
pound sentences.ïIn one sentence, a comma needs to be omitted after the
#coordinating conjunction ╖but ╗that joins two independent clauses begin-
#ning with ╖I forgave ╗and ╖he turned.╗ïInstead a comma should be in-
#serted after the first independent clause and before ╖but╗.ïThe re-
maining sentence is a run-on-sentence.ïThe two independent clauses
#beginning with ╖I did not care ╗and ╖I wanted a clear answer ╗are con-
nected with a comma but with no coordinating conjunction.
Ç B
 6.èWhich one of the following sentences is correctly
punctuated?
A)ïThe wagon never rusted, yet, it had never been out of the rain.
B)ïI like you, because of your upbeat personality, you like me because
è of my interest in oil wells.
C)ïHe crammed for the test, but he failed nonetheless.
D)ïå
#üèThe following compound sentence is correctly punctuated: ╢He
#╢crammed for the test, but he failed nonetheless.╗ïThe other sentences
are defective compound sentences. In one sentence the comma after the
#coordinating conjunction ╢╖yet╗ ╗╗needs to be omitted.ïThe comma before
#╢╖yet ╗is sufficient.ïThe remaining sentence is a run-on-sentence.
Insert an appropriate coordinating conjunction after the comma between
#the two independent clauses beginning with ╖I like you ╗and ╖you like
#╖me.
Ç C
 7.èWhich one of the following sentences is correctly
punctuated?
A)ïI will give you two lashes with a cane, or I will fine you $200.
B)ïBart could not catch the frisbee nor, could he retrieve it.
C)ïGive me the canteen, I am thirstier than you are.
D)ïå
#üèThe following compound sentence is correctly punctuated: ╢I
#╢will give you two lashes with a cane, or I will fine you $200.╗ïThe
#comma directly precedes the coordinating conjunction ╢or.ï╗The other
sentences are defective compound sentences.ïIn one sentence, the comma
#╢╗after the coordinating conjunction ╖nor ╗should be omitted.ïInstead,
#comma is needed before ╖nor╗.ïThe remaining sentence is a run-on-
sentence.ïTo correct it, add an appropriate coordinating conjunction
#after the ╗╗╗comma that ╗connects the two independent clauses ╖give me
#╖the canteen ╗and ╖I am thirstier than you are.
Ç A
ä:èIn the sentences in the Example, underline the ones that
correctly use commas.
#âS:è╕The food was cold, stale, and tasteless.
#êë╕╗I am required to escort them over the hill, and beyond.
êëWere you aware of her temper, or her power, and of her for-
êëtune, and of her husband?
#êë╕It was a hot, humid day.
#êë╕They were a noisy smelly crowd.
éS Commas are required between more than two items in a series.
The number of commas is one less than the number of items.ïThe series
#could consist of one-word items (╖I like plums, grapes, oranges, and
#╖peaches╗), phrases (╖I went through the woods, under the bridge, and
#╖be╖yond the waterfall╗), or clauses (╖I enjoyed my single life until he
#╖dated me, until he encouraged his family to eat at my house, and until
#╖he told me he had another wife╗). But when you have only two items in a
series, no comma is needed between, for instance, two nouns, two verbs,
two phrases, or two dependent clauses.ïThere is one major exception:
#two adjectives in a row modifying the same noun.ïIf an ╖and ╗can be
used between the two adjectives, then a comma is needed if the two ad-
#jectives are not joined by ╖and╗.ïFor example, in ╖I toured the old and
#╖decayed castle╗, both adjectives ╖old ╗and ╖decayed ╗equally modify the
#same noun ╖castle╗.ïMoreover, an ╖and╗ can readily join them.ïIn this
#situation, a comma could replace the ╖and╗.ïBut if two commas preceding
#a noun make no sense if an ╖and ╗separates them, then no comma should be
#placed between them either.ïFor example, in the sentence ╖The three
#╖brave girls touched the beehive╗, putting an ╖and ╗between ╖three ╗and
#╖brave ╗is very awkward.ïConsequently, no comma should go between ç
two adjectives.
 8.èWhich one of the following sentences demonstrates the
correct use of a comma or commas?
A)ïI entered, I sneezed, I fell down.
B)ïTake me to your father, and to your grandfather.
C)ïI threw away some shirts, skirts, pants, and socks.
D)ïå
#üïThe sentence ╢I threw away some shirts, skirts, pants, and socks
is correctly punctuated with commas.ïFour items in a series requires
three commas.ïIn another sentence, there are three run-on-sentences
#in a series:ï╖I entered, I sneezed, I fell down.ï╗Add an ╖and ╗after
#╖entered ╗and after ╖sneezed ╗to correct the sequence.ïIn the remaining
sentence, a comma is incorrectly used to connect the two prepositional
#phrases ╖to your father ╗and ╖to your grandfather.ï╗No comma is needed
if two phrases are joined in a series.
Ç C
 9.èWhich one of the following sentences demonstrates the
correct use of a comma or commas?
A)ïBecause you left, and because you paid, I have your ticket.
B)ïI understand that you envy Susan's gold watch, Jane's slim figure,
è and Marilyn's antique china.
C)ïBud, and Butch saw Patrick, and Peewee.
D)ïå
#üèThe three items in the sentence ╢I understand that you envy
#╢Susan's gold watch, Jane's slim figure, and Marilyn's antique china ╗
are correctly joined by two commas.ïIn another sentence, the two adverb
#dependent clauses beginning with ╖because╗ should not have a comma be-
#╖╗tween them.ïIn the remaining sentence, remove the comma between the
#two subjects ╖Bud ╗and ╖Butch ╗and between the two direct objects ╖
#╖Patrick ╗and ╖Peewee╗.╗
Ç B
 10.èWhich one of the following sentences demonstrates the
correct use of a comma or commas?
A)ïDo you think you can handle playing in a tough league, having
è your father for a coach, and taking ballet at school?
B)ïSeveral, major mistakes were made in the overpass construction.
C)ïThe joke failed to scare the secretary, and to amuse the boss.
D)ïå
üèThe sentence with the three direct object gerund phrases
#╢╢playing in a tough league, having your father for a coach, ╗and ╖╢
#╢taking ballet at school ╗is correctly punctuated with two commas.ïIn
#another sentence, the two modifiers ╖several ╗and ╖major ╗should not
#╖╗have a comma between them because with an ╖and ╗between them, they are
awkward.ïIn the remaining sentence, two direct object infinitive
#╖╗phrases are improperly separated by a comma.
Ç A
 11.èWhich one of the following sentences demonstrates the
correct use of a comma or commas?
A)ïThe well-behaved, well-groomed dog won the contest.
B)ïThe actor beset by fleas, and carrying a revolver is my cousin Mo.
C)ïI will sign for your loan when you come home, and if you shave off
è your beard.
D)ïå
#üèThe only sentence correctly using commas is ╢The well-behaved,
#╢╢well-groomed dog won the contest.╗ïBecause an ╢and╗ can readily be
#╢╗placed between the two adjectives ╢well-behaved ╗and ╢╢╢╢╢well-
#╢groomed╗, the comma between them is appropriate.ïIn another sentence,
#╖╗╖The actor beset by fleas╗, which is a past participle phrase, and
#╖carrying a revolver╗, which is a present participial phrase, are im-
#╖╗properly joined by a comma, as are the two adverb dependent clauses in
#the remaining sentence: ╖When you come home ╗and ╖if you shave off your
#╖beard.
Ç A
ä:èIn the sentences in the Example, underline the ones that
use one or more commas correctly.
âS:
#êë╕The teacher, I suspect, is unprepared today.

êëThe suit, however is wrinkled.

êëMy goal for sure, is to be the number one reader in my class.
éS
êOften in a sentence a word or groups of words are parenthetical,
that is, they can be left out without changing the meaning of the sen-
tence.ïWhen ç expressions interrupt a train of thought, as does
#╖I believe ╗in the sentence ╖Her high scores, I believe, are sufficient
#╖to get her a gold medal╗, put commas around them.
 12.èWhich one of the following sentences demonstrates the
correct use of the comma to punctuate parenthetical expressions?
A)ïThe room, so I am told, is reserved.
B)ïThe hood of my car, you know is cracked.
C)ïHis bloody hand without a doubt, needs a tourniquet.
D)ïå
#üèIn ╢The room, so I am told, is reserved, ╗the parenthetical
#╢╢╗expression ╢so I am told ╗is additional nonessential information that
#╢╗can be removed without any damage done to the thought in the sentence,
#╢╗leaving the independent clause ╢the room is reserved.╗ïIn another
#╖╗╖╗sentence, one comma is correctly used before the parenthetical ex-
#╖╗pression ╖you know ╗in the middle of a sentence, but a comma must also
#╖╗be placed after ╖know╗.ïIn the remaining sentence, there is a comma
#correctly used after the ╗parenthetical expression ╖without a doubt,╗
#╖╗but a comma is also needed before ╖without.╗ïNot putting two commas
around parenthetical expressions also violates another rule in the last
two sentences.ïOne comma cannot separate a subject from a verb.ïA
#comma separates ╖hood╗ from its verb form ╖is ╗and ╖hand╗ from its verb
#form ╖needs.
Ç A
 13.èWhich one of the following sentences demonstrates the
correct use the comma to punctuate parenthetical expressions?
A)ïThe yard, unfortunately is cluttered with tree limbs.
B)ïHank's trailer, of course, costs very little.
C)ïYou it is true, are gorgeous.
D)ïå
#üèIn ╢Hank's trailer, of course, costs very little, ╗the paren-
#╢╢thetical expression ╢of course ╗is properly punctuated by a comma be-
#╢╗fore and after it, leaving in tact the thought ╢Hank's trailer costs
#╢╗╢very little.╗ïIn the other sentences, only one comma is placed
#╖╗╖╗around the parenthetical expression ╖unfortunately ╗and the paren-
#╖╗thetical expression ╖it is true.╗ïAdd a comma after ╖unfortunately ╗
#╖╗and before ╖it is true.╗è ╗
Ç B
 14.èWhich one of the following sentences demonstrates the
correct use of the comma to punctuate parenthetical expressions?
A)ïYour hunch I bet, is right.
B)ïI am positive, Suzy about his huge appetite for money.
C)ïBring me, and do it quickly, his head on a platter.
D)ïå
#üè╗The ╗parenthetical expression ╢and do it quickly ╗is properly
#╢╢╗set off on both sides with commas.ïBut in the other sentences, the
#╢╗parenthetical expression ╖I bet ╗and ╖Suzy ╗have only one comma
#╢╗separating them from their independent clauses.ïAdd a comma after
#╖╗╖╗╖Suzy ╗and before ╖I bet.êêê╗
#Ç Cêêë ╗