Question

which sentence uses commas correctly? select the best answer.

answer

proofs of the finished publication are sent, chapter by chapter to the writer for approval.
proofs of the finished publication are sent, chapter by chapter, to the writer for approval.

Explanation:

🆕 New Concept Discovered: Parenthetical Elements

Setting off nonessential information with commas

Step 1: Identify the parenthetical element

A parenthetical element (or nonessential element) is a word, phrase, or clause that adds extra information to a sentence but is not essential to its core meaning. If you remove it, the sentence still makes complete grammatical sense.

In this sentence, the core message is:
"Proofs of the finished publication are sent to the writer for approval."

The phrase "chapter by chapter" is extra information describing how they are sent. Because it interrupts the main flow of the sentence, it is a parenthetical element.

Step 2: Apply the comma rule for parenthetical elements

When a parenthetical element interrupts the middle of a sentence, it must be set off with commas on both sides (one before and one after).

• Option 1: "...are sent, chapter by chapter to the writer..."
• Incorrect: This only has a comma before the phrase, leaving it disconnected from the rest of the sentence.
• Option 2: "...are sent, chapter by chapter, to the writer..."
• Correct: This correctly places commas both before and after "chapter by chapter" to properly isolate the nonessential phrase.

Answer:

Proofs of the finished publication are sent, chapter by chapter, to the writer for approval.