1. Your first car may not be brand new,
but you don’t have to settle for a lemon
either.
Why?: Commas between two independent
clauses separated by a conjunction.
2. Affordable, reliable used cars do
exist.
Why: Two adjectives modifying the
same noun.
3. To help you get the most for your
money, here is some time-tested
advice.
Why: Comma after introductory
infinitive phrase.
4. Have your used car checked out by
an experienced, independent
mechanic.
Why: Two adjectives modifying the
same noun.
5. Well, I suppose we could
postpone your test a day or two.
Why: Comma after introductory
element/mild interjection.
6. Patrick Henry, the famous orator,
delivered the speech we are reading
today to the Virginia Convention.
Why: Comma setting off nonessential
appositive phrase.
7. Today we are going to learn some
comma rules, and we are going to
analyze rhetorical devices.
Why?: Commas between two
independent clauses separated by a
conjunction.
8. At the beginning of the chapter, the
author describes the setting in great
detail.
Why: Comma after two introductory
prepositional phrases.