Comma Rules — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. An appositive is set off by commas because it adds extra information about a noun.
Non-essential (extra) appositives are set off with commas; essential appositives are not.
2. In "My cat, Whiskers, loves to nap," the word "Whiskers" is an appositive.
'Whiskers' renames 'My cat' and is set off by commas as an appositive.
3. A parenthetical element can be removed from a sentence without changing its main meaning.
Parenthetical elements provide extra information that can be removed without changing the core meaning.
4. The phrase "which was built in 1990" is a parenthetical element that gives extra detail.
A non-essential relative clause like 'which was built in 1990' is a parenthetical element.
5. Commas are placed both before and after an appositive in the middle of a sentence.
An appositive in the middle of a sentence requires commas on both sides.
6. In "The movie, by the way, was excellent," the phrase "by the way" is a parenthetical expression.
'By the way' is a parenthetical aside that adds a comment without changing the core meaning.
7. If an appositive appears at the end of a sentence, only one comma is needed before it.
An appositive at the end of a sentence only needs one comma before it.
8. The phrase "a talented singer" in "Maria, a talented singer, performed at the show" renames the noun Maria.
The appositive 'a talented singer' renames and describes Maria.
9. Without commas, a reader might confuse an appositive phrase as part of the main idea.
Commas around an appositive signal that it provides extra, non-essential information.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
"The test, I must admit, was harder than I expected."
→ Parenthetical aside expressing an opinion
Appositive in the middle of a sentence
"I called my best friend, Sophie."
→ Appositive at the end of a sentence
Parenthetical aside expressing an opinion
"Our town, a quiet place near the lake, has one school."
→ Appositive in the middle of a sentence
Parenthetical clause giving extra detail
"The book, which I read twice, is about space travel."
→ Parenthetical clause giving extra detail
Appositive at the end of a sentence
First = parenthetical aside (I must admit); second = appositive at end (Sophie); third = appositive in middle (a quiet place); fourth = parenthetical clause (which I read twice).