Interrupters and Commas

Which part of this sentence is the interrupter?

She hung out at the beach, building sandcastles, until the sun set.

• She hung out at the beach

• building sandcastles

• until the

• sun set

Which added words (set off with commas) would create an appositive interrupter for this sentence? John works hard at his job.

• all day long

• until it's time to leave

• and gets paid a lot

• my amazing brother

Which part of the sentence is an interrupter?

Julie, my most loyal friend, is always there for me.

• Julie

• my most loyal friend

• is always there

• for me

Which part of this sentence is an interrupter?

He sat in his room, watching videos, all day.

• He sat

• in his room

• watching videos

• all day

Why should I add interrupters to my own writing?

• To make my writing more interesting and detailed

• To confuse the reader

• To have a shorter sentence

A nonessential clause is set off by commas, meaning that the clause can be taken out of the sentences and the basic meaning of the sentence does not change.

• true

• false

One group that has contributed a great deal, is Hispanic Americans. What should be done to correct the sentence?

• add a comma after group

• delete the comma after deal

• no change is needed

• add a comma after Hispanic

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who retired from professional basketball, holds several NBA records.

• add a comma after NBA

• delete the comma after Jabbar

• no change is needed

• delete the comma after basketball

Choose the correct comma usage for the underlined section of the sentence.

The umpire unfortunately called off the game.

• umpire, unfortunately called

• umpire unfortunately, called

• umpire, unfortunately, called

• umpire unfortunately called,

Choose the correct comma usage for the underlined portion of the sentence.

Ms. Barnes my dance instructor was a professional entertainer.

• Ms. Barnes, my dance instructor, was,

• Ms. Barnes, my dance instructor, was

• Ms. Barnes, my dance instructor was

• Ms. Barnes my dance instructor, was