Commas, Parentheses, and Dashes

We sailed past two ore freighters a speedboat and several water-skiers when we ventured outside the harbor.

• NO CHANGE
• sailed, past two ore freighters, a speedboat, and several water-skiers,
• sailed past two ore freighters, a speedboat, and several water-skiers
• sailed past, two ore freighters, a speedboat and several water-skiers,

Tags

CCSS.L.1.2C

CCSS.L.5.2A

CCSS.L.7.2A

Our craft glided by the lighthouse--which has guided ships into the harbor for years.

• NO CHANGE
• glided, by the lighthouse--which has guided ships
• glided by, the lighthouse which has guided ships,
• glided by, the lighthouse, which has guided ships

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.8.2A

To monitor the weather most sailors carry a shortwave radio on board their boats.

• NO CHANGE
• weather, most sailors carry a shortwave radio on
• weather, most sailors carry, a shortwave radio on
• weather, most sailors carry a shortwave radio, on

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.4.2C

Tipping over dangerously, close to the water, our sailboat became unstable.

• NO CHANGE
• over, dangerously close, to the water, our sailboat became
• over, dangerously close to the water, our sailboat became, 
• over dangerously close to the water, our sailboat became

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.4.2C

The security guard (who stands inside the bank) was a high school athlete.

• NO CHANGE
• guard--who stands inside the bank, was
• guard who stands inside the bank, was
• guard, who stands inside the bank, was,

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

The cat having been left alone all weekend, complained, loudly when its owners returned.

• NO CHANGE
• cat, having been left alone all weekend, complained loudly
• cat, having been left alone, all weekend, complained loudly
• cat, having been left alone all weekend complained loudly,

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.3A

CCSS.L.7.1C

Which sentence uses parentheses correctly?

• Adolf the (biggest chimp) was not very helpful to Jane, but Rashidi was.

• Adolf (the biggest chimp) was not very helpful to Jane, but Rashidi was.

• Adolf the biggest chimp was not very helpful to Jane (but Rashidi was).

• Adolf the biggest chimp was (not very helpful) to Jane, but Rashidi was.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

Which sentence uses dashes correctly?

• If I knew everything--which I don't--then my grade would be so much higher.
• If I knew everything--which I don't then--my grade would be so much higher.
• If I knew everything which I don't--then my grade would be so much higher.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.8.2A

Which of the following is NOT a reason to use dashes?

• to confuse the reader
• to show an abrupt interruption
• to show the character's thoughts
• to create suspense

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.8.2A

Which of the following uses parentheses correctly?

• My worst (subject Math) is getting easier.
• My worst subject (Math) is getting easier.
• My worst subject Math (is getting easier).

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A