Essential/Nonessential Comma Use

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• Albert who is my youngest brother is turning nine in October.

• Albert, who is my youngest brother, is turning nine in October.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• The man, who owns the shop, is named Roger.

• The man who owns the shop is named Roger.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• The squirrel which was extremely speedy scampered up a tree.

• The squirrel, which was extremely speedy, scampered up a tree.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• People who steal from others should be punished.

• People, who steal from others, should be punished.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• Dogs which foam at the mouth could be rabid.

• Dogs, which foam at the mouth, could be rabid.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• Jim who is an interesting man played football for ten years.

• Jim, who is an interesting man, played football for ten years.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• Rugby, which is an aggressive sport, is played in Europe.

• Rugby which is an aggressive sport is played in Europe.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• George Washington, who was our first president, was from Virginia.

• George Washington who was our first president was from Virginia.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• Trees which are the tallest of all plants are able to produce food.

• Trees, which are the tallest of all plants, are able to produce food.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• Alex who is an excellent artist is in three of my classes.

• Alex, who is an excellent artist, is in three of my classes.