Question

ex. everyone is coming but joe body is weak. (joining independent clauses)
cross out ( but acts as a preposition - not joining two independent clauses)
application exercise: cross out commas that are not needed. insert commas where needed.

1. after surviving this ordeal the trapper felt relieved.
2. mark twains early novels i believe stand the test of time.
3. september 11th 2001 will never be forgotten.
4. i returned the book, after i read it.
5. the field seemed safe a place of peaceful respite amid a concrete jungle.
6. our new principal is very intelligent but he sometimes can be forgetful.
7. the parent sat next to me, and started telling me her life story.

sentence creations
a comma can be used with a coordinating conjunction (fanboys) to connect two independent clauses.
model sentence: the wind was relentless, so wave after wave spilled across the deck of the boat.

1. your sentence:____________________

a phrase cannot stand alone. however, it may act as a closer.
model sentence: the wind was relentless and tyrannical, ceaselessly tossing wave after wave across the deck of the boat.

1. your sentence:____________________

editing and proofreading: correct any errors you find in the examples below.

1. if darren had arrived on time for the interview. he would of been offered the job.
2. the british open is one of my favorite sporting events to watch, it doesnt matter whom is playing in the tournament.

mechanics instruction that sticks - 2

Explanation:

1. After surviving this ordeal, the trapper felt relieved. (A comma is used after the introductory phrase "After surviving this ordeal".)
2. Mark Twain's early novels, I believe, stand the test of time. (Commas are used around the non - essential phrase "I believe".)
3. September 11th 2001 will never be forgotten. (No comma needed as it is a simple statement about a date.)
4. I returned the book after I read it. (No comma needed as the dependent clause "after I read it" comes after the independent clause.)
5. The field seemed a safe place of peaceful respite amid a concrete jungle. (No comma needed as it is a simple description.)
6. Our new principal is very intelligent, but he sometimes can be forgetful. (A comma is used before the coordinating conjunction "but" connecting two independent clauses.)
7. The parent sat next to me and started telling me her life story. (No comma needed as "and" is connecting two verbs in a simple sentence, not two independent clauses.)
8. For the first sentence creation (using a comma with a coordinating conjunction): The sun was shining brightly, so we decided to go to the park.
9. For the second sentence creation (using a phrase as a closer): The birds were singing, filling the air with beautiful melodies.
10. If Darren had arrived on time for the interview, he would have been offered the job. (A comma is needed after the introductory dependent clause "If Darren had arrived on time for the interview".)
11. The British Open is one of my favorite sporting events to watch; it doesn't matter whom is playing in the tournament. (A semicolon is used instead of a comma as it is joining two independent clauses. Also, "whom" should be "who" in the second clause as it is the subject of the verb "is playing".)

Answer:

1. After surviving this ordeal, the trapper felt relieved.
2. Mark Twain's early novels, I believe, stand the test of time.
3. September 11th 2001 will never be forgotten.
4. I returned the book after I read it.
5. The field seemed a safe place of peaceful respite amid a concrete jungle.
6. Our new principal is very intelligent, but he sometimes can be forgetful.
7. The parent sat next to me and started telling me her life story.
8. The sun was shining brightly, so we decided to go to the park.
9. The birds were singing, filling the air with beautiful melodies.
10. If Darren had arrived on time for the interview, he would have been offered the job.
11. The British Open is one of my favorite sporting events to watch; it doesn't matter who is playing in the tournament.