Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas for Introductory or Interrupting Phrases - PSAT Writing

The phrase "Unlike his classmates" functions as an introductory phrase, one that conditions the meaning of the rest of the sentence. All introductory phrases must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma; therefore, "Unlike his classmates, the boy" is the correct answer choice.

The words "a long time activist" are an interrupting phrase, that is a phrase which interrupts the sentence and is not necessary for proper sentence construction, but does provide information. Such phrases must be set off by commas on either end, so "leader, a long time activist, urged" is the best choice among the answers.

The sentence, as written, actually contains two separate phrases, with "When reaching for metaphors" being an introductory phrase. Introductory phrases always need to be set off by commas; therefore, the correct answer is "When reaching for a metaphor, authors often make their point more confusing."

The word "Frequently" in the sentence is used as an adverb describing the actions of the students; therefore, it must be set apart from the rest of the sentence, and "students" in particular, to work as an introductory phrase. "Frequently, students" is the correct answer.

The phrase "day by day" is used in the sentence as an introductory phrase, modifying the meaning of the sentence. As such, it needs to be set off from the rest of the sentence. "Day by day, fewer" is the correct answer choice.

The phrase "when researching employment opportunites" operates in the sentence as an introductory conditional phrase, giving a necessary "if" to the sentence. Such a clause needs to be appropriately set apart from the rest of the sentence; therefore, "employment opportunities, college students" is the correct answer choice.

The phrase "as disputatious as ever" is a non-restrictive interrupting phrase, or a phrase that provides extra information and is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence. Any such phrase must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. As such, "The boys in the band, as disputatious as ever," is the correct answer.

The word "everyday" in the sentence acts as a conditional phrase, indicating how often people do what is described in the sentence. Such a phrase, must be set off by a comma from the rest of the sentence. Therefore, "Everyday, people" is the correct answer choice.

In the sentence, the phrase "unaware of the historical circumstances" is an interrupting phrase, or a phrase that provides information but is not a necessary component of the complete sentence. Such clauses always need to be set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. Thus, "Many Americans, unaware of the historical circumstances," is the correct answer choice.

The underlined portion of the sentence contains a slight punctuation error. Speciifically, the word "Lately" is used as an introductory phrase, explaining the condition under which the action takes place, and such clauses need to be set off by a comma from the rest of the sentence. "Lately, families" is the correct answer.

The phrase "Under the old regime" is what is called a conditional phrase, as it gives the conditions which make the main body of the sentence possible. Such phrases always need to be set off from the main part of the sentence by a comma; therefore, "Under the old regime, the action was," is the correct answer choice.

The phrase "tired from their long march" is a non-restrictive interrupting phrase, a phrase the provides information, but is not necessary in the sentence. Such phrases always must be set off by commas. Therefore, "The soldiers, tired from their long march, gladly settled" is the correct answer choice.

The phrase "annoyed with her class" is what is known as an interrupting phrase. An interrupting phrase provides information, but is not necessary to the construction of the sentence. All interrupting phrases need to be set apart by commas, making "The teacher, annoyed with her class, got emotional" is the correct answer.

The underlined portion of the sentence contains an interrupting phrase, "prone to overly assertive maneuvers." All interrupting phrases must be set apart by commas from the rest of the sentence. Therefore, the correct answer is, "The general, prone to overly assertive maneuvers,."

The phrase "On this date" is an introductory clause, describing when the action of the sentence took place. An introductory clause must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. Therefore, "On this date, an unspeakable evil" is the correct answer choice.

The phrase "Unfamiliar to most listeners" is used in this sentence as an introductory phrase, something that explains the actions of the rest of the sentence. All such sentences must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. "Unfamiliar to most listeners, the band" is the correct answer.

When additional elements are put after or before the subject (in this case, "unaware of their country's") it should be separated by commas. Also look for the answer where "country" is in its proper possessive state: "their country's tense foreign relationship."

The phrase "Working on a new book" is an introductory phrase that explains the condition upon the action of the sentence. All such phrases must be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma. "Working on a new book, the author" is the correct answer choice.

The phrase "a respected team leader" is what is known as an interrupting phrase, or a phrase that provides information but is unnecessary for the structure of the sentence. All interrupting phrases must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas; therefore, the correct answer is "The athlete, a respected team leader, was."

It may take you a moment to figure out that "the raccoon" is not actually the subject of the sentence and "this mammal" is since the nouns appear right next to each other. The phrase "Unlike its distant cousin the raccoon" is an introductory phrase, giving a condition in which to understand the main body of the sentence. All introductory phrases need to be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "Unlike its distant cousin the raccoon, this mammal."