COMMA: LEARNING TARGET 4 PROCESS
I can use commas to set off nonessential (not needed) clauses and nonessential (not needed) participial phrases.
STEP ONE:
Circle all of the following words in the sentence:
a)
that
b)
who/whom
c)
which
d) words ending in –ing
hunting
eating
winning
e) word ending in –ed
confined
roasted
glued
f) irregular forms of verbs (usually past tense)
STEP TWO:
If you circled the word that, it is essential and does NOT need commas.
If you circled who/whom or which, or any of the – ing, -ed, or irregular verb forms look at the words that follow
the word to form a phrase, if there is one. If the word ends in –ed, be sure that the word isn’t the verb of the
sentence. Underline the whole phrase. For example:
Yellow jackets which are a violation of all fashion codes are forbidden in school environments.
Ms. Reinke who wore the yellow jacket got in trouble after school with the principal.
Ms. Hedrick glued to her desk watched it happen.
Eaten by guilt because she did not warn her Ms. Hedrick took the blame.
Unknowing of Ms. Hedrick’s kind act Ms. Reinke continued her walk of shame.
Everyone is sorry that this happened. 
STEP THREE:
Look at each phrase you have underlined and ask yourself if the phrase is essential (needed or necessary) or
nonessential (not needed or not necessary). Write E for Essential or NE for Nonessential over each phrase. To
determine this ask yourself the following questions:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Does the phrase add information that is not necessary to the main idea in the sentence?
If yes, the phrase is Nonessential (NE).
Does the sentence still make sense if the phrase is removed or covered up?
If yes, the phrase is Nonessential (NE).
Is the phrase needed to identify the who or what I’m talking about? Does it answer which one or which
ones?
If yes, it is Essential (E).
Does leaving out the phrase change the meaning of the sentence?
If yes, the phrase is Essential (E).
NE
E
Unknowing of Ms. Hedrick’s kind act Ms. Reinke continued her walk of shame.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Does the phrase add information that is not necessary to the main idea in the sentence?
Phrase 1 – yes. Phrase 2 – no.
Does the sentence still make sense if the phrase is removed or covered up?
Phrase 1 – Ms. Reinke continued her walk of shame. Yes.
Phrase 2 – Unknowing of Ms. Hedrick’s kind act Ms. Reinke. No
Is the phrase needed to identify the who or what I’m talking about? Does it answer which one or which
ones?
No
Does leaving out the phrase change the meaning of the sentence?
Phrase 1 – Ms. Reinke continued her walk of shame. No.
Phrase 2 – Unknowing of Ms. Hedrick’s kind act Ms. Reinke. Yes.
STEP FOUR
After determining if the section is Essential or Nonessential, add appropriate commas.
Essential = No Commas
Nonessential= One of the following
Nonessential Clause or Phrase
,
Sentence__________________
__________________rest of sentence___________________________.
,
Nonessential Clause or Phrase
,
_____rest of sentence___________.
Sentence___________________________________________________
NE
,
Nonessential Clause or Phrase.
E
,
Unknowing of Ms. Hedrick’s kind act Ms. Reinke continued her walk of shame.