SAT Writing : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas for Introductory or Interrupting Phrases
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Example Questions
Example Question #1142 : Identifying Sentence Errors
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 don't stop smoking I'm going to be forced to remove you from the train platform. No error
be forced
If you
from the train
No error
smoking I'm
smoking I'm
In the example sentence, "if you don't stop smoking" is clearly a dependent clause. Since this dependent clause comes before the main clause, it is acting here as an introductory phrase and must be punctuated with a comma.
Example Question #1143 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I think that pork, one of my favorite kinds of meat is incredibly versatile. No error
No error
pork, one
I think
versatile.
meat is
meat is
Interrupting phrases must be separated from the rest of the sentence with commas. Here, the grammatical subject is "pork," this subject is then described in a grammatically irrelevant, but contextually useful, interrupting phrase. Because it is outside of the basic structure of the sentence, the interrupting phrase "one of my favorite kinds of meat" should have one comma at the beginning and one comma at the end.
Example Question #1144 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My favorite actor of the previous generation, Derek Jacobi is profoundly talented. No error
talented.
My favorite
generation, Derek Jacobi is
of the
No error
generation, Derek Jacobi is
In this sentence "Derek Jacobi" acts as an interrupting appositive phrase, and thus must be enclosed with commas. Here, the subject is first identified as "my favorite actor of the previous generation," and is then renamed with a proper noun. The actors name is important information contextually, but is not fundamental to grammatical structure of the sentence, since the grammatical subject remains "my favorite actor of the previous generation."
Example Question #1145 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Shortly the windows opened and a strong gust blew all the papers on the desk.
Shortly, the windows opening
Shortly the windows opening
Shortly the windows opens
Shortly, the window's opened
Shortly, the windows opened
Shortly, the windows opened
The underlined portion of the sentence contains just one error. The word "Shortly" is used as an introductory phrase, describing when the action of the sentence took place. Any introductory phrase needs to be set off by a comma. "Shortly, the windows opened" is the best choice to improve the sentence.
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