Grammar: Commas in Sentence Parts
SET OFF WORDS OF DIRECT ADDRESS (such as names and titles) By the way, David, you have sailed before haven't you?
Insert commas where necessary in the following sentence: By the way David you have sailed before haven't you?
INTRODUCTORY VERBAL PHRASES Feeling adventurous, I decided to try the sport.
Insert commas where necessary in the following sentence: Feeling adventurous I decided to try the sport.
BEFORE A CONJUNCTION JOINING TWO INDEPENDENT CLAUSES OF A COMPOUND SENTENCE He was an experienced sailor, but this was my first time on a sailboat.
Insert commas where necessary in the following sentence: He was an experienced sailor but this was my first time on a sailboat.
INTRODUCTORY PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE In a little boat on the ocean, you can get away from daily stresses.
Insert commas where necessary in the following sentence: In a little boat on the ocean you can get away from daily stresses.
INTRODUCTORY PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE In the well-stocked galley on our little boat, I can prepare simple or elaborate meals while you sail.
Insert commas where necessary in the following sentence: In the well-stocked galley on our little boat I can prepare simple or elaborate meals while you sail.
1) BETWEEN TWO OR MORE ADJECTIVES OF EQUAL RANK THAT MODIFY THE SAME NOUN 2) SEPARATING ITEMS IN A SERIES (3 or more) EXCEPT THE LAST ONE On a cool, windy day we sailed past other boats, the docks, and the lighthouse.
Insert commas where necessary in the following sentence: On a cool windy day we sailed past other boats the docks and the lighthouse.
SET OFF NONESSENTIAL CLAUSES Our craft glided by the lighthouse, which has guided ships into the harbor for years.
Insert commas where necessary in the following sentence: Our craft glided by the lighthouse which has guided ships into the harbor for years.
SET OFF NONESSENTIAL CLAUSES The instructor, who is also a friend of mine, showed me his boat, Fancy Free.
Insert commas where necessary in the following sentence: The instructor who is also a friend of mine showed me his boat Fancy Free.
BETWEEN TWO OR MORE ADJECTIVES OF EQUAL RANK THAT MODIFY THE SAME NOUN The spinnaker sail is usually made of strong, elastic nylon.
Insert commas where necessary in the following sentence: The spinnaker sail is usually made of strong elastic nylon.
INTRODUCTORY VERBAL PHRASES Tipping over dangerously close to the water, our sailboat became unstable until Paul shifted his weight and slacked off on the mainsail.
Insert commas where necessary in the following sentence: Tipping over dangerously close to the water our sailboat became unstable until Paul shifted his weight and slacked off on the mainsail.
INTRODUCTORY VERBAL PHRASES To monitor the weather, most sailors carry a shortwave radio on board their boats.
Insert commas where necessary in the following sentence: To monitor the weather most sailors carry a shortwave radio on board their boats.
INTRODUCTORY VERBAL PHRASES To understand the joy of sailing, you must try it yourself.
Insert commas where necessary in the following sentence: To understand the joy of sailing you must try it yourself.
INTRODUCTORY WORD / MILD INTERJECTION Usually, that pleasure is out of my reach.
Insert commas where necessary in the following sentence: Usually that pleasure is out of my reach.
SEPARATING ITEMS IN A SERIES (3 or more) EXCEPT THE LAST ONE We sailed past two ore freighters, a speedboat, and several water-skiers when we ventured outside the harbor.
Insert commas where necessary in the following sentence: We sailed past two ore freighters a speedboat and several water-skiers when we ventured outside the harbor.
INTRODUCTORY WORD / MILD INTERJECTION Well, I have never ridden in a sailboat.
Insert commas where necessary in the following sentence: Well I have never ridden in a sailboat.
INTRODUCTORY WORD / MILD INTERJECTION Yes, skill is needed to sail a sloop on a windy day.
Insert commas where necessary in the following sentence: Yes skill is needed to sail a sloop on a windy day.
BEFORE A CONJUNCTION JOINING TWO INDEPENDENT CLAUSES OF A COMPOUND SENTENCE You can move the mainsail to catch the breeze, or I will start the engine to take us back to port.
Insert commas where necessary in the following sentence: You can move the mainsail to catch the breeze or I will start the engine to take us back to port.
SET OFF WORDS OF DIRECT ADDRESS You did remember to pack the extra life jackets, didn't you?
Insert commas where necessary in the following sentence: You did remember to pack the extra life jackets didn't you?
