Commas with Nonessential Elements

I just finished reading Gary Soto’s story “The Jacket” which describes a painful time in his early life.

• Essential - no commas needed

• Non-essential - add commas around the highlighted part

We need a girl who can speak with a Southern accent to play the part.

• Essential - no commas needed

• Non-essential - add commas around the highlighted part

We lived on Oxford Drive which is close to the airport.

• Essential - no commas needed

• Non-essential - add commas around the highlighted part

Many Scottish names begin with the prefix “Mac” which means “the son of.”

• Essential - no commas needed

• Non-essential - add commas around the highlighted part

Grasshoppers which are one of our most destructive insect pests can leap nearly twenty times the length of their bodies.

• Essential - no commas needed

• Non-essential - add commas around the highlighted part

The store pays the parking fee of any customer who makes a purchase of twenty dollars or more.

• Essential - no commas needed

• Non-essential - add commas around the highlighted part

Buffalo Bill whose real name was William F. Cody was a famous frontier scout.

• Essential - no commas needed

• Non-essential - add commas around the highlighted part

Evan’s new job which is far more challenging than his previous job pays well and provides good benefits.

• Essential - no commas needed

• Non-essential - add commas around the highlighted part

Ten points are given for any question that stumps the experts.

• Essential - no commas needed

• Non-essential - add commas around the highlighted part

The Titanic which was the largest vessel of its time generated an enormous amount of publicity about its maiden voyage.

• Essential - no commas needed

• Non-essential - add commas around the highlighted part