ENG II B: COMMAS EXERCISE LEARNING TARGET 4 FORMATIVE 3 EXERCISE 1
LEARNING TARGET 4: Use commas to set off nonessential clauses and nonessential phrases. A nonessential
clause or participial phrase adds information that is not necessary to the main idea in the sentence.
DIRECTIONS
Determine whether each of the following sentences (which contain nonessential clauses) is
punctuated correctly. On the line provided, write C if the punctuation is correct or I if it is incorrect. If a sentence
is punctuated incorrectly, correct it by writing the word preceding the comma and the comma.
EXAMPLES
1. That boy who just ran by is my teammate.
I boy, by,_____________________________________________________________________
2. The ring, which belonged to my grandmother, is very precious to me.
C______________________________________________________________________________
1.
Mary Angela, who is only three years old, plays very well with other toddlers and
speaks with the clarity of a first-grader.
_____________________________________________________________________
2.
Their cat which often sits on our porch is black and white.
_____________________________________________________________________
3.
Uncle John for whom I purchased the sweater will be delighted to be remembered
on his birthday.
_____________________________________________________________________
4.
Giving blood is a regular routine for Mr. Johnson who one required a massive
transfusion.
_____________________________________________________________________
5.
This yellow rose, which Ms. Middlebook gave us, is opening beautifully and has a
delicate scent._________________________________________________________
6.
My favorite book which I just gave Marie is very worn.
_____________________________________________________________________
7.
That stuffed animal which was given to use by Aunt Jane has survived the
affection of three children._______________________________________________
8.
Durable plastics, which were developed specifically for the space program, are
used to make household items. ___________________________________________
BE SURE TO TURN YOUR PAPER OVER
KMH
taken from Warriner’s English Composition and Grammar Workbook (Green)
page 245
rev.04/14
9.
We gave your message to Mr. Payne who was glad to see us.
_____________________________________________________________________
10.
The salesperson overwhelmed by the holiday shoppers began making careless
mistakes._____________________________________________________________
11. The most successful farmer in town is Zeke who has won top prizes at the county fair
for the past ten years.
_____________________________________________________________________
12.
The visitors tired of knocking on the front door walked around to the back.
_____________________________________________________________________
13.
Ms. Jordan to whom the question was addressed looked surprised.
_____________________________________________________________________
14.
Bird songs, which issue from a unique set of muscles int he bird’s throat, are heard
most often in the morning and evening._____________________________________
15.
On our street all the neighbors who make up a friendly group have organized a
block party.
_____________________________________________________________________
16. We went to the fair, an annual event that draws large crowds.
_____________________________________________________________________
KMH
taken from Warriner’s English Composition and Grammar Workbook (Green)
page 245
rev.04/14