Comma Drama

Correct the following sentences. If the sentence is already correct, write “correct.”

1. He looked through the door, but he did not see anyone inside the church. 

*two independent clauses connected by a conjunction

2. "We could wait to see if anyone else came, or we could go back home," she said. 

*attribution in a sentence requires a comma

3. Reed, a graduate of Washington State University, was elected Secretary of State in 2000
*alert readers that there is a clause.

4. The organization paid the speaker $1,000, but its officers were unable to attend the event.

5. According to Washington state law, bars will become smoke-free on Feb. 15.

6. He saw Karen and they had coffee. 

*clause is less than 4 words, too short = no need for coma.

7. The bales are then sold to a processing center in Tacoma, Wash., which ships them to Moscow, Idaho.

8. It was raining, we stayed home.

9. Later he phoned again.
*short clause

10. This will end up having an effect on consumers, she said.

11. He introduced the speaker to Floyd, Moos and Wulff.

Appositions, hyperbatons and non-restrictive relative clauses: We don't need to remember the names of these grammar tools. But let's look at how they can help us form shorter descriptive phrases. In other words, squish these two sentences into one.


1. Sam Reed spoke at the Honors College on Wednesday, Sept. 22. Reed is a graduate of Washington State University.*Reed, a graduate of Washington State University, spoke at the Honors College on Wednesday, Sept 22.


2. The concert will be held on Friday night. The concert is part of WSU's Homecoming Weekend.*The concert, part of WSU's Homecoming Weekend, will be held on Friday night.


3. President Elson S. Floyd promised he would lobby legislators in Olympia. Floyd is frustrated by cuts to higher education.
*President Elson S. Floyd, frustrated by cuts to higher education, promised he would lobby legislators in Olympia.