SAT Writing : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas for Introductory or Interrupting Phrases
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Example Question #1 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Finally the teacher returned our papers, and despite our initial worries, we discovered all of us had received passing marks. No error
Despite
No error
Finally the teacher
worries, we
all of us
Finally the teacher
Here, "finally" is considered an introductory word, so it must be followed by a comma: "Finally, the teacher . . ."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If you decide to go to the beach make sure to wear sunscreen to protect your skin! No error
to the beach make sure
to protect your skin!
No error
to wear
If you decide
to the beach make sure
The phrase "If you decide to go to the beach" is an introductory phrase, and all introductory phrases need to be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. So, after being corrected, the sentence would read, "If you decide to go to the beach, make sure to wear sunscreen to protect your skin!"
Example Question #1 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Daisy and her sister, Margot, shared a large family but a special relationship; even among their numerous older and younger sisters, Margot, and Daisy had a special bond. No error
relationship; even
sisters, Margot, and
her sister, Margot,
among
No error
sisters, Margot, and
Because the sentence states that Margot is not Daisy's only sister, the commas and which frame her name in "their numerous older and younger sisters, Margot, and Daisy" are incorrect. The comma that sets apart Margot's name at the beginning of the sentence ("Daisy and her sister, Margot, shared") is correctly used, because here, Margot is being specified as Daisy's sister in an appositive phrase that renames "her sister" as "Margot."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Despite disinterest in school elections, the majority of the students voted Shindra the treasurer, president of the student government. No error
student government
Despite disinterest
No error
Shindra the treasurer,
elections, the
Shindra the treasurer,
"The treasurer" here is an appositive: it renames or restates Shindra in different words, and it should be surrounded with commas. The correct sentence should be: "the students voted Shindra, the treasurer, president . . ."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Istanbul, despite being an old city has recently been the site of major commercial developments hoping to bring international business to the country. No error
developments hoping
Instanbul, despite
despite being an old city
to bring international business
No error
despite being an old city
Here "despite being an old city" needs to be separated by the main clause by two commas, not just one.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
At the insistence of the manager, the entire team dropped the project immediately; the project leader however, continued her work without interruption. No error
without interruption
leader however,
immediately; the
manager, the entire team
At the insistence
leader however,
The word "however" here is considered a non-essential phrase: it can be removed, leaving a complete sentence. So it must be surrounded with commas: "The project leader, however, continued . . ."
Example Question #4 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Perdita the lost princess, was found and raised by a shepherd. No error
Perdita the lost princess,
by a shepherd.
found and raised
was
No error
Perdita the lost princess,
Commas should be used to set off the phrase "the lost princess," as it is in apposition to (gives a description of) the subject Perdita, but the sentence still makes sense without it. So, "Perdita the lost princess," contains the sentence's error, and the sentence should read, "Perdita, the lost princess, was found and raised by a shepherd."
Example Question #8 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
First take the pie crust out of the freezer, and then fill it with the sliced apples, cinnamon, and maple syrup. No error
No error
First take
and then
sliced apples, cinnamon,
out of the freezer,
First take
In this sentence, "First" is used as an introductory word (specifically an adverbial phrase) and must therefore be followed by a comma: "First, take . . ."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Most schoolchildren have heard the tale of Robin Hood the medieval outlaw who stole from the rich and gave to the poor. No error
stole from
and gave
Robin Hood the medieval outlaw
Most
No error
Robin Hood the medieval outlaw
The phrase "the medieval outlaw who stole from the rich and gave to the poor" is an appositive phrase. It restates the noun "Robin Hood" in a way that presents more details, but is not grammatically necessary to the sentence for the sentence to be complete and understandable. ("Most schoolchildren have heard the tale of Robin Hood" is a completely correct sentence on its own.) The appositive phrase should therefore be preceded by a comma ("Robin Hood, the medieval outlaw who stole from the rich and gave to the poor").
Example Question #5 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Patton a man known for his pugnacious character, was highly regarded for his generalship. No error
generalship
was highly regarded
his
Patton a man
no error
Patton a man
In this sentence, the phrase "a man known for his pugnacious character" is acting as an interrupting phrase. An interrupting phrase is a group of words which interrupts the flow of the sentence; interrupting phrases need to be separated from the rest of the sentence with commas (or dashes). In this case commas are needed after "Patton," and after "character."
The full, correct version of this sentence reads: "Patton, a man known for his pugnacious character, was renowned for his generalship."
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