Comma Rule #5

What is an essential phrase or clause?

• A sentence about an important and relevant topic.

• A sentence about a trivial (unimportant) topic.

• A sentence that contains extra information that is not necessary to the basic meaning of the sentence.

• A sentence that contains information that is necessary to the meaning of the sentence.

What is a non-essential phrase or clause?

• A sentence about an important and relevant topic.

• A sentence about a trivial (unimportant) topic.

• A sentence that contains extra information that is not necessary to the basic meaning of the sentence.

• A sentence that contains information that is necessary to the meaning of the sentence.

Which type of phrase/clause needs commas?

• essential

• non-essential

When a phrase has commas around it, that means that ____

CHECK ALL THAT APPLY.

• the phrase IS needed for basic understanding

• the phrase is NOT needed for basic understanding

• I can take the phrase out (extra)

• I need to leave the phrase in (necessary)

Identify each italicized / underlined clause or phrase in the following sentences as either essential or nonessential.

Note: Commas have been removed from the sentences.

Emilia Ortiz who lives across the street from me won a scholarship to Stanford University.

• essential (no commas are needed)

• non-essential (need to add commas)

Identify each italicized / underlined clause or phrase in the following sentences as either essential or nonessential.

Note: Commas have been removed from the sentences.

The sophomores who made the Honor Roll were listed in the school newspaper.

• essential (no commas are needed)

• non-essential (need to add commas)

Answer explanation

ALL sophomores are not listed in the paper--just the sophomores that made honor roll...I NEED that piece of information.

Identify each italicized / underlined clause or phrase in the following sentences as either essential or nonessential.

Note: Commas have been removed from the sentences.

The capital of Massachusetts is in Boston which is sometimes called the Athens of America.

• essential (no commas are needed)

• non-essential (need to add commas)

Answer explanation

"which" usually indicates nonessential

Identify each italicized / underlined clause or phrase in the following sentences as either essential or nonessential.

Note: Commas have been removed from the sentences.

Library books that are lost or damaged must be replaced.

• essential (no commas are needed)

• non-essential (need to add commas)

Answer explanation

"that" usually indicates essential...also, ALL library books don't need replacing...just the lost are damaged ones (I NEED that info in the sentence)

Identify each italicized / underlined clause or phrase in the following sentences as either essential or nonessential.

Note: Commas have been removed from the sentences.

Students planning to try out for a role in the play should sign up no later than Friday afternoon.

• essential (no commas are needed)

• non-essential (need to add commas)

Answer explanation

ALL students are NOT signing up by Friday...just those trying out for the play (I NEED that info in the sentence)

Identify each italicized / underlined clause or phrase in the following sentences as either essential or nonessential.

Note: Commas have been removed from the sentences.

Kelly waiting outside the stage door got the band leader’s autograph.

• essential (no commas are needed)

• non-essential (need to add commas)

Answer explanation

"waiting outside the stage door" is EXTRA INFO about Kelly