Commas with Nonessential and Essential Clauses and Phrases

Which sentence contains correct comma placement?

• The Suez Canal which was completed in 1869 is 107 miles long.

• The Suez Canal, which was completed in 1869 is 107 miles long.

• The Suez Canal which was completed in 1869, is 107 miles long.

• The Suez Canal, which was completed in 1869, is 107 miles long.

Read the following sentence and decide whether the phrase typed in green is essential or nonessential.
The football players on the field ran the ball and scored a touchdown.

• essential 

• nonessential

Read the following sentence and decide whether the phrase typed in green is essential or nonessential.
Jane who served the salad did not notice the bug nibbling on the leaf.

• essential

• nonessential

Read the following sentence and decide whether the phrase typed in green is essential or nonessential.
Lucy who needs an A on the final exam studied all night.

• essential

• nonessential

Read the following sentence and decide whether the phrase typed in green is essential or nonessential.
The city where we met is 100 miles away.

• essential

• nonessential

When the word that is used, it's always for restrictive/essential elements (commas are unnecessary), whereas which is usually used for nonrestrictive/nonessential elements (commas are necessary).

• True

• False

The scene, loaded with pathos, was beautifully performed.

• nonessential appositives

• direct address

• nonessential participial phrase

• conjunctive adverb

Which sentence shows a comma separating extra information about the subject - an appositive?

• The car a 1967 ford mustang, is very fast.

• When school ends today at 3:15 p.m. we, will play soccer.

• Gold watches for example, are going on sale today.

• Tanner, my teacher, is wearing a gray shirt.

What is the appositive phrase in the following: Clarice, an angel, must accomplish this goal by helping the character George Bailey realize what a wonderful life he has had.

• Clarence,

• , must accomplish this goal by helping the character George Bailey realize what a wonderful life he has had.

• , an angel,

• what a wonderful life he has had.

Maria Antoinette's mother, Maria Theresa, warned the fifteen-year-old that her looks were already fading.

• a comma connecting two independent clauses

• a comma after a dependent clause

• commas surrounding nonessential information

• commas separating items in a list