SAT Writing : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas for Introductory or Interrupting Phrases
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #112 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Although she was supposed to pick out one puppy to adopt at the animal shelter Sarah wanted to adopt all of them.
Although she was supposed to pick out one puppy to adopt at the animal shelter Sarah wanted to adopt one of them.
Although she was supposed to pick out one puppy to adopt at the animal shelter. Sarah wanted to adopt all of them.
Although she was supposed to pick out one puppy to adopt at the animal shelter, Sarah wanted to adopt all of them.
Although she was supposed to pick out one puppy to adopt at the animal shelter, so Sarah wanted to adopt all of them.
Although she was supposed to pick out one puppy to adopt at the animal shelter; Sarah wanted to adopt all of them.
Although she was supposed to pick out one puppy to adopt at the animal shelter, Sarah wanted to adopt all of them.
"Although she was supposed to pick out one puppy to adopt at the animal shelter" is a subordinate or dependent clause. When you begin a sentence with a subordinate clause, you need to separate it from the independent clause with a comma.
Example Question #111 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
For the next twenty years which went past his retirement, the detective was haunted by the unsolved murder case.
For the next twenty years which went past his retirement,
For the next twenty years which went past his retirement
For the next twenty years, which went past his retirement,
For the next twenty years going past his retirement
For the next twenty years, which went past his retirement
For the next twenty years, which went past his retirement,
The phrase "which went past his retirement" is an interrupting phrase, a phrase whch provides information to the meaning of the sentence but is outside the structure of the sentence. An interrupting phrase needs to be set apart by commas, making "For the next twenty years,which went past his retirement," the correct answer choice.
Example Question #112 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Finding the best location the treasure hunters began digging furiously.
Finding the best location for the treasure hunters began digging furiously.
Finding the best location the treasure hunters began digging furiously.
Finding the best location the treasure hunters began to dig furiously.
Finding the best location the treasure hunters began digging furious.
Finding the best location, the treasure hunters began digging furiously.
Finding the best location, the treasure hunters began digging furiously.
"Finding the best location" is an introductory phrase in the sentence, meaning that it conditions the action of the main portion of the sentence. All introductory phrases must be set apart from the main part of the sentence by a comma. The only answer choice that does this is "Finding the best location, the treasure hunters began digging furiously."
Example Question #121 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Under the old rules that kind of shot was perfectly legal.
Under the old rules that kind of shot is perfectly legal.
Under the old rules that kind of shot was perfect legal.
Under the old rules that kind of shot was perfectly legal.
Under the old rules, that kind of shot was perfectly legal.
Under the old rules this kind of shot was perfectly legal.
Under the old rules, that kind of shot was perfectly legal.
The phrase "Under the old rules" is an introductory phrase, one that conditions the meaning of the sentence but remains apart from its structure. All introductory phrases must be set off by a comma. The only answer choice that inserts such a comma is "Under the old rules, that kind of shot was perfectly legal."
Example Question #113 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The soldier, a mercenary from a foreign country was distrusted by the army's commanders.
The soldier a mercenary from a foreign country were
The soldier, a mercenary from a foreign country were
The soldier, a mercenary from a foreign country was
The soldier, a mercenary from a foreign country, was
The soldier a mercenary from a foreign country was
The soldier, a mercenary from a foreign country, was
In the sentence, the phrase "a mercenary from a foreign country" is an interrupting phrase, one that provides information but is not critical to the structure of the sentence. All such phrases need to be set apart from the sentence by a comma; therefore, the correct answer is "The soldier, a mercenary from a foreign country, was."
Example Question #773 : Improving Sentences
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The soldiers tired from their long march, gladly settled down for the night.
The soldiers' tired from their long march, gladly settled
The soldiers tired from their long march gladly settles
The soldiers tired from their long march gladly settled
The soldiers, tired from their long march, gladly settled
The soldiers tired from their long march, gladly settled
The soldiers, tired from their long march, gladly settled
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.
Example Question #505 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Under the old regime the action was perfectly legal and undertaken quite often.
Under, the old regime the action was
Under the old regime, the action was
Under, the old regime the action was
Under the old regime the action was
Under the old regime the action had been
Under the old regime, the action was
Under the old regime the action had been
Under, the old regime, the action was
Under, the old regime, the action was
Under the old regime the action was
Under the old regime, the action was
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.
Example Question #114 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The general prone to overly assertive maneuvers, found his army caught out in front of the main lines.
The general, prone to overly assertive maneuvers
The general prone, to overly assertive maneuvers,
The general, prone to overly assertive maneuvers,
The general prone to overly assertive maneuvers,
The general prone, to overly assertive maneuvers,
The general, prone to overly assertive maneuvers,
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,."
Example Question #91 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The executive a shrewd negotiator, always waited to make sure he knew his opponent's strengths and weaknesses.
The executive a shrewd negotiator always
The executive a shrewd negotiator, always
The executive a shrewd negotiator, always
The executive, a shrewd negotiator always
The executive, a shrewd negotiator, always
The executive, a shrewd negotiator, always
The phrase "a shrewd negotiator" is an interrupting phrase, a phrase that has no bearing on the construction of the sentence but provides additional information. All interrupting phrases must be set apart by commas; therefore, the correct answer choice is "The executive, a shrewd negotiator, always."
Example Question #771 : Improving Sentences
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The students anxious about their grades were pestering their teacher about the test.
The students anxious about their grades, were
The students, anxious about their grades, were
The students anxious about their grades were
The students' anxious about their grades were
The students, anxious about their grades were
The students, anxious about their grades, were
The phrase "anxious about their grades" is an interrupting phrase, or one that provides extra information, but is not crucial to the structure of the sentence. All interrupting phrases need to be set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. The only answer choice that does this is "The students, anxious about their grades, were."
Certified Tutor
All SAT Writing Resources
