Comma Rules for Essential & Nonessential Phrases and Clauses
Essential (No commas needed)
Figure out WHERE to insert commas IF they are needed and identify the phrase as either ESSENTIAL or NONESSENTIAL: "Those kids who forgot their socks cannot go skating."
Essential (No commas needed)
Figure out WHERE to insert commas IF they are needed and identify the phrase as either ESSENTIAL or NONESSENTIAL: "Tyrone returned the pencil that I lost."
Essential (No commas needed)
Figure out WHERE to insert commas IF they are needed and identify the phrase as either ESSENTIAL or NONESSENTIAL: "The snake lurking near the garden is six feet long!"
Essential (No commas needed)
Figure out WHERE to insert commas IF they are needed and identify the phrase as either ESSENTIAL or NONESSENTIAL: "Any student who plans on running for student council should go."
Nonessential
Figure out WHERE to insert commas IF they are needed and identify the phrase as either ESSENTIAL or NONESSENTIAL: "Emily Dickenson who wrote poems was born in Massachusetts."
Nonessential
Figure out WHERE to insert commas IF they are needed and identify the phrase as either ESSENTIAL or NONESSENTIAL: "I bought my dog a swimming pool which he can sit in on hot days."
Nonessential
Figure out WHERE to insert commas IF they are needed and identify the phrase as either ESSENTIAL or NONESSENTIAL: "My earrings which you admired at dinner were handmade by my mother."
Nonessential
Figure out WHERE to insert commas IF they are needed and identify the phrase as either ESSENTIAL or NONESSENTIAL: "My math teacher who lives in my neighborhood explains things well."
Nonessential
Figure out WHERE to insert commas IF they are needed and identify the phrase as either ESSENTIAL or NONESSENTIAL: "My school's mascot which is a panther dances on the sidelines at every game."
Essential (No commas needed)
Figure out WHERE to insert commas IF they are needed and identify the phrase as either ESSENTIAL or NONESSENTIAL: "The Oprah House in my small town is a historical landmark."
Nonessential
Figure out WHERE to insert commas IF they are needed and identify the phrase as either ESSENTIAL or NONESSENTIAL: "The Statue of Liberty which is featured in that movie is in New York City."
Essential (No commas needed)
Figure out WHERE to insert commas IF they are needed and identify the phrase as either ESSENTIAL or NONESSENTIAL: "The car that is yellow was parked behind me."
Essential (No commas needed)
Figure out WHERE to insert commas IF they are needed and identify the phrase as either ESSENTIAL or NONESSENTIAL: "The gift that you sent fit me perfectly."
Essential (No commas needed)
Figure out WHERE to insert commas IF they are needed and identify the phrase as either ESSENTIAL or NONESSENTIAL: "The goldfish tank that is in my room needs cleaning."
Nonessential
Figure out WHERE to insert commas IF they are needed and identify the phrase as either ESSENTIAL or NONESSENTIAL: "The lawyer breathing rapidly arrived late to the courtroom."
