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 and Commas
Setting off nonessential information with a pair of commas.

Step 1: Identify the parenthetical element

A parenthetical element (or nonessential phrase) is a word or group of words 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.

Step 2: Apply the comma rule for parenthetical elements

When a parenthetical element is inserted into the middle of a sentence, it must be set off with commas on both sides (acting like a pair of parentheses).

• Option 1: "Proofs of the finished publication are sent, chapter by chapter to the writer for approval."
• This only has a comma before the phrase, leaving it disconnected from the rest of the sentence.
• Option 2: "Proofs of the finished publication are sent, chapter by chapter, to the writer for approval."
• This correctly places commas both before and after "chapter by chapter."

Answer:

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