Erol Esquivel

Name: ____________________________________________________

Commas with Time and Order Signals

Practice 1
Choose the signal word or phrase that has correct punctuation.
Example:
We ate dinner. Then we watched a movie.

1. Last night Jeremy cleaned up his room. (First / First,) he picked up all his dirty

clothes and put them in the laundry. (Then / Then,) he dusted the furniture.

(Last / Last,) he vacuumed the rug.

2. My family has lived in several cities. When I was born, we lived in Melbourne,

Australia. We moved to Berlin (, after that / after that, / after that). (In 2007, /

In 2007) we bought a house in Rome, and that's where we live (now / , now)

3. I sing in a choir. Our rehearsals are on Thursday nights. (At first, / At first) we

sing scales and do exercises to warm up our voices. Our choir director hands out

new music (after that /, after that). We spend the rest of the rehearsal learning

the music and practicing it. Singing makes me happy. I’m always in a good mood

(, by the end / by the end) of the evening.

 Erol Esquivel
Name: ____________________________________________________

Commas with Transition Signals

Practice 1
Underline or circle the correct sentence(s) with correct punctuation and capitalization
in each pair.
Example:
The house has six bedrooms. However, only two of them have furniture.
The house has six bedrooms. However only two of them have furniture.

1.
When she got her first job, Gail bought a small apartment. In addition she bought a
used car.
When she got her first job, Gail bought a small apartment. In addition, she bought a
used car.

2.
The car broke down three times in three months. therefore, she decided to sell it.
The car broke down three times in three months; therefore, she decided to sell it.

3.
The apartment was dark and stuffy. Also the neighbors were noisy.
The apartment was dark and stuffy. Also, the neighbors were noisy.

4.
Gail was unhappy in the apartment; as a result, she decided to sell it.
Gail was unhappy in the apartment; As a result she decided to sell it.

5.
Susan is a good student. In fact, she is the top student in her class.
Susan is a good student. In fact she is the top student in her class.
6.
Zelda is a top student. She also participates in several after-school activities.
Zelda is a top student. She, also, participates in several after-school activities.

7.
Mika was an outstanding student in high school; Therefore, she was accepted to six
universities.
Mika was an outstanding student in high school; therefore, she was accepted to six
universities.

8.
Mika was accepted to six universities. None of them, however, offered her a
scholarship.
Mika was accepted to six universities. None of them however offered her a scholarship.

9.
10I have a very talented dog. For example, if you throw a ball to him, he can catch it
in his mouth.
I have a very talented dog. For example if you throw a ball to him, he can catch it in
his mouth.

10.
Sometimes my dog acts just like a small child. For instance he looks guilty when he
does something bad.
Sometimes my dog acts just like a small child. For instance, he looks guilty when he
does something bad.
 Erol Esquivel
Name: ____________________________________________________

Commas with Adjective Clauses

Practice 1
Choose the sentence that uses commas correctly.
Example:
The man, who died recently, was a famous writer.
Ray Bradbury, who died recently, was a famous writer.

1. Vegetables, that contain beta-carotene, help fight disease.

Carrots, which contain beta-carotene, help fight disease.

2. Drinks, that contain a lot of sugar, cause tooth decay.

Soda, which contains a lot of sugar, causes tooth decay.

3. 4Ms. Adams, who has young children, doesn't have a lot of time to study.

Students, who have young children, don't have a lot of time to study.

4. I refuse to eat at restaurants, that play loud music.

I refuse to eat at Mario's, which plays loud music.

5. A room, that has no windows, gets very hot in the summer.

My office, which has no windows, gets very hot in the summer.

6. A doctor, who smokes, is not a good role model for his patients.

Dr. Chang, who smokes, is not a good role model for his patients.

7. Animals, that live in deserts, can survive for a long time without water.

Camels, which live in deserts, can survive for a long time without water.
8. A person, who studies butterflies, is an entomologist.

Dr. Evans, who studies butterflies, is an entomologist.

9. Detweiller Beach, which is polluted, is not safe for swimming.

A beach, that is polluted, is not safe for swimming.

10. Reiko and Emi, who did not come to class, lied to the teacher about their

absence.

Students, who do not come to class, lie to the teacher about their absence.