0011 Apply Knowledge of Mechanical Conventions in Standard English
Identify and Correct Examples in which Incorrect or Extraneous Punctuation has been Used
Use a comma in the following situations:
- Between independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so)
Example: We wanted to see the show, but we didn’t get there on time.
- Between introductory elements and the rest of the sentence
Example: After I graduate from college, I plan to go to graduate school.
- Between items in a series
Example: A good teacher is well organized, knowledgeable, and interested in students.
- To set off explanatory or parenthetical parts of a sentence
Example: The meeting, for your information, will begin at 9:00 a.m.
- Between addresses and dates and the rest of the sentence
Example: He vacationed at the White Pine Hotel, 98 Ashland Street, Radford, Virginia, in May, 1987.
- To separate a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence
Example: “Call the police,” she screamed, “and tell them to come quickly!”
- Between contrasting parts of a sentence
Example: It was John, not Harry, who paid for our dinner.
- Between nonrestrictive words, phrases, and clauses and the rest of the sentence.
Example: She is as tall as, though two years younger than, her brother.
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