For help with any item below, refer to
this part of the Major Comma Uses page.
1. Recognizing the thief the policemen arrested him immediately.
Correct answer:
Recognizing the thief, the policemen arrested him immediately.
Your answer:
2. The student who writes the best paper will receive the best grade.
This sentence is
correct as written.
Your answer:
3. Elias Moxley a famous trial lawyer will represent Ms.Tishman.
Correct answer:
Elias Moxley, a famous trial lawyer, will represent Ms.Tishman.
Your answer:
4. Mary realizing her bad situation tried to convince her boss to give her a raise.
Correct answer:
Mary, realizing her bad situation, tried to convince her boss to give her a raise.
Your answer:
5. Bees for example have four wings.
Correct answr:
Bees, for example, have four wings.
Your answer:
6. Ellen Terry who wrote letters to George Bernard Shaw was a famous actress.
Correct answer:
Ellen Terry, who wrote letters to George Bernard Shaw, was a famous actress.
Your answer:
7. No you may not attend the game.
Correct answer:
No, you may not attend the game.
Your answer:
8. Idaho which is famous for its potato crop is located in the Midwest.
Correct answr:
Idaho, which is famous for its potato crop, is located in the Midwest.
Your answer:
9. A man who writes mysteries is visiting the school this week.
This sentence is
correct as written.
Your answer:
10. Undaunted by the loss Georgette resumed her law practice.
Correct answer:
Undaunted by the loss, Georgette resumed her law practice.
Your answer:
11. Henderson Smith the mail carrier for our block always arrives on time.
Correct answer:
Henderson Smith, the mail carrier for our block, always arrives on time.
Your answer:
12. The reason is of course obvious.
Correct answer:
The reason is, of course, obvious.
Your answer:
Commas should have been placed only to separate
nonessential elements from the rest of the sentence.
If you made no errors on this exercise, go on to
Post Test. Follow the instructions there.
If you got three or fewer wrong and do not understand your error, go back to
this section and reread the material, trying to see
why your answer is incorrect. After you understand your mistakes, to on the the
Post Test.
If you got more than three wrong, STOP working and ask the Writing Support Program office for help before going on to the
Post Test.