Using Commas to Set Off Non-Restrictive Phrases

What are these called? 
, , 

• commas

• dashes

• parentheses

• periods

Which is punctuated correctly?

• The new school Wagner Elementary is on Main Street.

• The new school, Wagner Elementary, is on Main Street.

• The new school, Wagner Elementary is on Main Street.

• The new school Wagner Elementary, is on Main Street.

Which is punctuated correctly?
The giant plane, a Boeing 747, launched into the air.
The giant plane, a Boeing 747 launched into the air.
The giant plane a Boeing 747, launched into the air.
The giant plane a Boeing 747 launched into the air.

• The giant plane, a Boeing 747, launched into the air.

• The giant plane, a Boeing 747 launched into the air.

• The giant plane a Boeing 747, launched into the air.

• The giant plane a Boeing 747 launched into the air.

Which is punctuated correctly?
1.  Mrs. Parr's son, a bundle of energy ran down the hallway.
2. Mrs. Parr's son, a bundle of energy, ran down the hallway.
3. Mrs. Parr's son a bundle, of energy, ran down the hallway.

• Mrs. Parr's son, a bundle of energy ran down the hallway.

• Mrs. Parr's son, a bundle of energy, ran down the hallway.

• Mrs. Parr's son a bundle, of energy, ran down the hallway.

Which is punctuated correctly?
Our class library which is stocked, full of books, is amazing.
Our class library which is stocked full of books, is amazing.
Our class, library, which is stocked full of books is amazing.
Our class library, which is stocked full of books, is amazing.

• Our class library which is stocked, full of books, is amazing.

• Our class library which is stocked full of books, is amazing.

• Our class, library, which is stocked full of books is amazing.

• Our class library, which is stocked full of books, is amazing.

Which sentence is correctly punctuated using commas?

• “General Martin Dempsey, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, who just wrapped up a visit to Afghanistan, was asked whether he foresees North Korea taking military action soon.”

• “General Martin Dempsey, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman who just wrapped up a visit to Afghanistan, was asked whether he foresees North Korea taking military action soon.”

• “General Martin Dempsey, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, who just wrapped up a visit to Afghanistan was asked whether he foresees North Korea taking military action soon.”

Which is punctuated correctly?
The flashlight should be, returned to, Mark the owner.
The flashlight, should be returned to Mark, the owner.
The flashlight should be returned to Mark, the owner.
The flashlight should be returned to Mark the owner.

• The flashlight should be, returned to, Mark the owner.

• The flashlight, should be returned to Mark, the owner.

• The flashlight should be returned to Mark, the owner.

• The flashlight should be returned to Mark the owner.

What phrase needs to be offset using commas?

I read a book last night a real page turner.

• I read a book last night

• Read

• A real page turner

• Turner

What is the purpose of using commas to set off non-restrictive phrases?

• To separate items in a list

• To indicate a pause in speech

• To provide additional, non-essential information

• To join two independent clauses

Which sentence is correctly punctuated?

• The car, which was red sped down the street.

• The car which was red, sped down the street.

• The car, which was red, sped down the street.

• The car which, was red sped down the street.