Commas with Nonessential Elements

What is the nonrestrictive element (or nonessential piece of information) in this sentence?

Pearls which are expensive aren't something I buy very often.

• which are expensive

• pearls

• aren't something I buy very often

• There is no nonrestrictive element in this sentence.

What is the nonrestrictive element in this sentence?

My two brothers Kyle and Jeff are in town for Thanksgiving weekend.

• Kyle and Jeff

• My two brothers

• are in town for Thanksgiving weekend.

• There is no nonrestrictive element in this sentence.

Which answer choice correctly uses commas to set off the nonrestrictive elements in this sentence?

Costa Rica a small Central American country is a major coffee grower.

• Costa Rica a small, Central American, country is a major coffee grower.

• Costa Rica, a small Central American country, is a major coffee grower.

• Costa Rica, a small Central American, country is a major coffee grower.

Which answer choice correctly uses commas to set off the nonrestrictive elements in this sentence?

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

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

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

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

Which answer choice correctly uses commas to set off the nonrestrictive elements in this sentence?

Nick's car a green Subaru was stolen last night.

• Nick's car a green Subaru, was stolen last, night.

• Nick's, car a green Subaru, was stolen last night.

• Nick's car, a green Subaru, was stolen last night.

What is the nonrestrictive element in this sentence?
Ms. Smith my teacher always assigns us homework over the weekend.

• Ms. Smith
• always assigns us homework over the weekend
• my teacher
• There is no nonrestrictive element in this sentence.

Which answer choice correctly uses commas to set off the parenthetical elements in this sentence?
The brick wall crumbling with age is dangerous to climb over.

• The brick wall crumbling with age is, dangerous to climb, over.
• The brick wall, crumbling with age, is dangerous to climb over.
• The, brick, wall crumbling with age is dangerous to climb over.

Which answer choice correctly uses commas to set off the parenthetical elements in this sentence?
My sister Cara is on the honor roll.

• My sister Cara is on the, honor, roll.
• My sister, Cara, is on the honor roll.
• My, sister Cara, is on the honor roll.

Which answer choice correctly uses commas to set off the parenthetical elements in this sentence?
Sarah's dog an adorable pug always has his tongue hanging out.

• Sarah's dog an adorable pug, always has his tongue, hanging out.
• Sarah's dog, an adorable pug, always has his tongue hanging out.
• Sarah's dog, an adorable pug always has his tongue, hanging out.

Which answer choice correctly uses dashes to set off the parenthetical elements in this sentence?
Madison the capital of Wisconsin is suffering from a major drought.

• Madison -- the capital of Wisconsin -- is suffering from a major drought.
• Madison the capital of -- Wisconsin -- is suffering from a major drought.
• Madison the capital of Wisconsin is suffering from a -- major -- drought.