Commas, Dashes, Parentheses in Nonrestrictive Elements

Multiple Choice

What is a nonrestrictive element in a sentence?

• a part of a sentence that is very important

• a part of a sentence that is extra information and interrupts

There are three ways to "set off" nonrestrictive elements in sentences.

• Use parentheses - Use these to set off information that is not important. Parentheses are a more "gentle" or "quiet" way to add unimportant information. Parentheses are more formal than the dash.

• Use dashes - Use these if you want what is set off to be emphasized. Dashes draw attention!

• Use commas if you don't want something to stand out by using the dash or for something to be a side note in a quiet and gentle way with the parentheses.

An appositive is a word or group of words that renames or explains the noun that it follows. Commas are used before and after the appositive when it appears in the middle of a sentence, and when it is not needed to make the meaning clear.

Disney World, the best place on earth, has the most thrilling roller coasters!

Multiple Select

Which of the following punctuation marks can be used to "set off" a nonrestrictive element? There is more than one answer.

• commas

• parentheses

• dashes

• semicolons

Multiple Select

Which of the following punctuation marks would you use if you wanted to emphasize a nonrestrictive element in the middle of a sentence?

• commas

• parentheses

• dashes

• semicolon

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?

• Studying, which often takes a lot of effort, is something students must learn to do.

• Studying, which often takes a lot of effort is something students must learn to do.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?

• The town where I live (Abbeville) is having a spring festival this weekend.

• The town where I live (Abbeville is having a spring festival) this weekend.

Multiple Choice

Amphibians animals that live in water and on land are cold-blooded. Which of the following would correct this sentence?

• NO CHANGE

• Amphibians - animals that live in water and on land are cold-blooded.

• Amphibians, animals that live in water and on land, are cold-blooded.

• Amphibians, animals that live in water, and on land, are cold-blooded.

Multiple Choice

Which type of punctuation should go in the blanks?

Jessica _ Brittany's younger sister _ was always causing mischief.

• commas

• dashes

• parentheses

Multiple Choice

Which type of punctuation should go in the blanks?

When the car was finally delivered _ nearly three months after she ordered it _ she decided she no longer wanted it.

• commas

• dashes

• parentheses

Multiple Choice

Which type of punctuation should go in the blanks?

My great grandfather _ born in 1917_ is turning 100 this year.

• commas

• dashes

• parentheses

Multiple Choice

Which type of punctuation should go in the blanks?

Our cat _ a tabby named Princess _ loves to lay out in the sun.

• commas

• dashes

• parentheses

Multiple Choice

Which part of the following sentence is the "extra information" that requires punctuation (either commas, dashes, or parentheses)?

The picture of the clown at the bottom of the page gives me the creeps.

• The picture of the clown

• at the bottom of the page

• gives me the creeps.

Multiple Choice

Which type of punctuation should go in the blanks?

The picture of the clown _ at the bottom of the page _ gives me the creeps.

• commas

• dashes

• parentheses

Multiple Choice

Which part of the following sentence is the "extra information" that requires punctuation (either commas, dashes, or parentheses)?

My dad who beat cancer a few years ago is a successful lawyer.

• My dad

• is a successful lawyer.

• who beat cancer a few years ago

Multiple Choice

Which type of punctuation should go in the blanks?

My dad _ who beat cancer a few years ago _ is a successful lawyer.

• commas

• dashes

• parentheses

Multiple Select

Which sentences are punctuated correctly? Check all that apply.

• LeBron James, one of the Cavaliers best basketball players, was recruited right out of high school.

• Upon discovering the errors - all 28 of them - Charlie thought he should rewrite his paper.

• I always buy my mom a gift on her birthday (October 10).

• Gizmo, my pet Chihuahua - barks whenever someone pulls into our drive.

Multiple Select

Which sentences are NOT punctuated correctly? Check all that apply.

• (On April 17) Joe completed his assignment.

• The dogs two, golden retrievers, played catch with my brother.

• Alison - the smartest girl in my class - won the spelling bee.

• My grandmother (walked to the store) on warm afternoons.