JCM 103 Commas

For more information about Frostland Ice Cream Parlor visit the company's website, at www.frostland.com.

A. Comma needed after "Parlor," but not after "website" (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is A. The prepositional phrase "For more information about Frostland Ice Cream Parlor" is more than three words, and it introduces the sentence. It therefore needs a comma after it. The prepositional phrase "at www.frostland.com" comes at the end of the sentence, and so it needs no comma before it. A comma there would stop the reader unnecessarily.

As investigators try to find the source of a salmonella outbreak linked to tomatoes more problems with the nation's food safety system have surfaced.

A. Comma needed between "tomatoes" and "more problems"

In which situation below do you insert a comma?

A. In between a dependent adverb clause that starts a sentence and an independent clause that follows it. For example: "When I wake up in the morning, I always have to have a cup of coffee." (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is A. Always place a comma after an adverb clause that starts a sentence. "B" is incorrect because you generally don't insert a comma after a phrase that starts a sentence unless it is around five words or longer. "C" is incorrect because the two adjectives (black and iron) don't modify one another and need no punctuation between them.

Though investigators insist tomatoes remain the leading problem, they are looking at other produce, but won't say what vegetables are being examined.

B. Comma between "produce" and "but" should be taken out.

Bobby, you have given me absolutely no reason to trust you and I am not getting on that boat with you and sailing off to wherever

B. Comma needed between "trust you" and "I am" (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is B. The conjunction "and," which falls between the words "trust you" and "I am" separates two independent clauses, and each of these clauses has a stated subject ("you" and "I"). So you must put a comma before the coordinating conjunction.

The vicious winter storm left its victims cold scared and hungry. (from a news story)

B. Comma needed between the adjectives "cold" and "scared"

In which situation below do you insert a comma?

B. Right before a coordinating conjunction (like "and, but, or, yet") between two independent clauses, where the second clause states a subject. For example: "I like chocolate, but Stacy likes vanilla."

Health officials recommend that people wash their hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds, before they handle food.

C. Take out the comma between "seconds" and "before"

OK Glenn, here they are: Bandit, Milo, Coco and Lucky. It's just amazing that you agreed to keep them for a whole month! (line from a film script)

C. Add a comma between "Coco" and "and Lucky"

Add the pecans and two eggs, mix well and bake at 300 degrees for 25 minutes.

C. Add a comma between "mix well" and "and bake"

In which situation below do you NOT insert a comma?

C. Before the last word in a list of single words, in a news story. For example: "Ewing said her favorite flavors are chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and peach." (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is C. In news, PR and ad writing, you do NOT insert a comma before the final item in a list of single words. However, you would insert a comma right before the last item in a list of phrases or clauses, and you would also insert a comma after an adverb clause (as in "D" - "Until Baker began making her shots").

Forget it! Even if I did go with you my dad would probably call the freaking coast guard or something.

C. Comma needed between "with you" and "my dad" (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is C. "Even if I did go with you" is an adverb clause that starts a sentence, and so a comma is needed after it. A comma placed anywhere else would slow the pace of the writing unnecessarily.

National Ice Cream Month 2008 has come and gone yet wonderful memories of warm summer days and tasty ice cream linger.

D. Comma needed between "gone" and "yet"

The ad campaign dramatizes the ice cream lover's journey to a Frostland Ice Cream Parlor and poses challenges that test her passion for Frostland's ice cream.

D. No other comma needed

Before Friday all the state's grocery stores will notify customers about the meat recall.

D. Sentence is correct as is. (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is D. The phrase "Before Friday" has fewer than three words, and so it doesn't need a comma after it.

Liberty Island was closed after the Sept. 11 attacks, the statue's base was reopened on Aug. 3, 2004.

D. There should be a coordinating conjunction (like "and") after the comma and before "the statue's base was . . ."