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Step-by-step solution for: BusyTeacher.org
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: BusyTeacher.org
It looks like you've uploaded a text document containing two exercises related to English grammar and punctuation. Let's go through each exercise step by step, solve the problems, and explain the solutions.
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Task: Put commas in the sentences. Justify why you put them there.
We'll go through each sentence, add appropriate commas, and explain the reasoning.
---
1. When going on a trip I like to take my guitar with me.
✔ Corrected: *When going on a trip, I like to take my guitar with me.*
🔹 Why? A comma is needed after introductory phrases (like "When going on a trip") to separate them from the main clause.
---
2. I’ve been to France Germany China and Spain.
✔ Corrected: *I’ve been to France, Germany, China, and Spain.*
🔹 Why? When listing multiple items in a series, use commas between each item. The Oxford comma (before "and") is optional but recommended for clarity.
---
3. Next week I am going to have a party so I invited my friends Mark and Sue.
✔ Corrected: *Next week, I am going to have a party, so I invited my friends Mark and Sue.*
🔹 Why?
- "Next week" is an introductory phrase → needs a comma.
- "so" connects two independent clauses → requires a comma before it.
---
4. There are exactly 489741 people living in this city most of whom take a train a bus or a tram to work.
✔ Corrected: *There are exactly 489,741 people living in this city, most of whom take a train, a bus, or a tram to work.*
🔹 Why?
- Add commas in large numbers: 489,741.
- "most of whom..." is a non-restrictive relative clause → set off with a comma.
- Use commas in the list: "train, a bus, or a tram".
---
5. "Look at this" he whispered.
✔ Corrected: *"Look at this," he whispered.*
🔹 Why? Quotation marks enclose direct speech. A comma goes inside the quotation marks before the closing quote when followed by dialogue tags.
---
6. Paulina his wife of many years decided to live in Greece.
✔ Corrected: *Paulina, his wife of many years, decided to live in Greece.*
🔹 Why? "his wife of many years" is an appositive (extra information about Paulina), so it should be set off with commas on both sides.
---
7. As the plane was coming to a halt on the runway I was beginning to feel less nervous.
✔ Corrected: *As the plane was coming to a halt on the runway, I was beginning to feel less nervous.*
🔹 Why? "As the plane..." is an introductory dependent clause → needs a comma before the main clause.
---
8. The thief had very impractical shoes so he couldn’t run very fast.
✔ Corrected: *The thief had very impractical shoes, so he couldn’t run very fast.*
🔹 Why? Two independent clauses joined by "so" → comma before "so".
---
9. "I’m warning you" said the teacher "don’t even try to cheat or else you will be expelled from school."
✔ Corrected: *"I’m warning you," said the teacher, "don’t even try to cheat or else you will be expelled from school."*
🔹 Why?
- Comma after "you" (inside quotes).
- Comma after "teacher" (dialogue tag in the middle).
- No comma before the second quote since it's part of the same sentence.
---
10. I dedicate this work to my brothers John Smith and God.
✔ Corrected: *I dedicate this work to my brothers, John Smith, and God.*
🔹 Why? "John Smith" is a specific name among the brothers — it’s a parenthetical appositive → set off with commas.
---
11. Sarah the most intelligent pupil in the class was always late for school.
✔ Corrected: *Sarah, the most intelligent pupil in the class, was always late for school.*
🔹 Why? "the most intelligent pupil..." is descriptive but not essential → non-restrictive appositive → commas on both sides.
---
12. I said that she is intelligent not pretty.
✔ Corrected: *I said that she is intelligent, not pretty.*
🔹 Why? "not pretty" contrasts with "intelligent" → use a comma to separate contrasting ideas.
---
13. Once the storm was over we could sail to the island.
✔ Corrected: *Once the storm was over, we could sail to the island.*
🔹 Why? "Once the storm was over" is an introductory adverbial clause → needs a comma.
---
14. Given the terrible weather conditions it is surprising that the holiday was so enjoyable.
✔ Corrected: *Given the terrible weather conditions, it is surprising that the holiday was so enjoyable.*
🔹 Why? "Given..." is a prepositional phrase at the start → needs a comma.
---
15. India a truly beautiful interesting and exotic country is now a popular tourist destination.
✔ Corrected: *India, a truly beautiful, interesting, and exotic country, is now a popular tourist destination.*
🔹 Why?
- "a truly beautiful, interesting, and exotic country" is a non-restrictive appositive → commas on both sides.
- Use commas in the list of adjectives: "beautiful, interesting, and exotic".
---
16. During lunch at the campus cafeteria Henry noticed the dirty tables the overworked cashiers and the high prices of food.
✔ Corrected: *During lunch at the campus cafeteria, Henry noticed the dirty tables, the overworked cashiers, and the high prices of food.*
🔹 Why?
- Introductory phrase → comma after "cafeteria".
- List of three items → commas between them and Oxford comma before "and".
---
17. During the race I tried to keep up with Mark who can run 100 meters in under 12 seconds.
✔ Corrected: *During the race, I tried to keep up with Mark, who can run 100 meters in under 12 seconds.*
🔹 Why?
- Introductory phrase → comma after "race".
- "who can run..." is non-restrictive (adds extra info) → commas around it.
---
18. To study for the exam Bill drank seven cups of coffee which kept him awake all night.
✔ Corrected: *To study for the exam, Bill drank seven cups of coffee, which kept him awake all night.*
🔹 Why?
- "To study..." is an infinitive phrase at the start → comma after it.
- "which..." refers back to "coffee" and adds extra info → non-restrictive → comma before and after.
---
19. I only earn 2000 USD a month for my hard work and my wife gets 12000 USD which is not fair.
✔ Corrected: *I only earn $2,000 USD a month for my hard work, and my wife gets $12,000 USD, which is not fair.*
🔹 Why?
- Use dollar signs and commas in large numbers: $2,000, $12,000.
- Two independent clauses → join with "and" and comma.
- "which is not fair" is non-restrictive → comma before it.
---
20. Ron who is 15 was doing his best to win the contest but he failed.
✔ Corrected: *Ron, who is 15, was doing his best to win the contest, but he failed.*
🔹 Why?
- "who is 15" is non-restrictive → commas around it.
- Two independent clauses → comma before "but".
---
Key rules applied:
- Commas after introductory phrases/clauses.
- Commas in lists (with Oxford comma).
- Commas around non-restrictive clauses and appositives.
- Commas before conjunctions joining independent clauses.
- Commas in quotations and with dialogue tags.
- Commas for contrast and clarification.
---
Task: Put commas in the text.
Let’s go through the passage and insert commas where needed.
> Last week I decided to visit my best friend John. He is a very smart handsome and kind person and he always manages to find some time for me. Last week however the situation was different. Because he had just got a new job John had very little free time. Nevertheless he managed to arrange a quick 15-minute-long meeting in the “Blue Rose” café which is said to be owned by a very famous actor. I was wearing my checked red green and blue T-shirt my brown trousers and a pair of sneakers. I arrived at 9:30 and John at 9:45. The waiter who was working that day took our order. We weren’t hungry so we only ordered drinks. John who seemed rather tired told me that his new job was very time-consuming demanding and difficult. “I don’t know if I’ll manage to work like that for long” John said. However he also admitted that his job had advantages some of which were: a comfortable working environment free lunch for each employee and a salary of 11000 USD. “That’s a lot of money!” I said. “Do you even know” I asked “what to spend it on?” John had no ideas but if I had that much money I would probably go on a long holiday renovate my house and buy a new car. That car would have to be fast comfortable and safe. Our conversation ended quickly because John had to go back to work and I had a bus back home to catch. When I reached for my wallet to pay for my drink John offered to pay for everything which was very nice of him. “That’s something I can spend my money on” he said. “I can pay for my friends’ drinks lunches and so on.”
---
> Last week, I decided to visit my best friend, John. He is a very smart, handsome, and kind person, and he always manages to find some time for me. Last week, however, the situation was different. Because he had just got a new job, John had very little free time. Nevertheless, he managed to arrange a quick 15-minute-long meeting in the “Blue Rose” café, which is said to be owned by a very famous actor. I was wearing my checked red, green, and blue T-shirt, my brown trousers, and a pair of sneakers. I arrived at 9:30, and John at 9:45. The waiter, who was working that day, took our order. We weren’t hungry, so we only ordered drinks. John, who seemed rather tired, told me that his new job was very time-consuming, demanding, and difficult. “I don’t know if I’ll manage to work like that for long,” John said. However, he also admitted that his job had advantages, some of which were: a comfortable working environment, free lunch for each employee, and a salary of $11,000 USD. “That’s a lot of money!” I said. “Do you even know,” I asked, “what to spend it on?” John had no ideas, but if I had that much money, I would probably go on a long holiday, renovate my house, and buy a new car. That car would have to be fast, comfortable, and safe. Our conversation ended quickly because John had to go back to work, and I had a bus back home to catch. When I reached for my wallet to pay for my drink, John offered to pay for everything, which was very nice of him. “That’s something I can spend my money on,” he said. “I can pay for my friends’ drinks, lunches, and so on.”
---
1. "Last week, I decided..." – Introductory phrase → comma.
2. "my best friend, John" – Appositive → comma.
3. "smart, handsome, and kind" – Series of adjectives → commas.
4. "person, and he always..." – Independent clauses joined by "and" → comma.
5. "Last week, however, the situation..." – Parenthetical word "however" → commas.
6. "Because he had just got a new job, John..." – Dependent clause at start → comma.
7. "Nevertheless, he managed..." – Adverb at start → comma.
8. "café, which is said..." – Non-restrictive relative clause → comma.
9. "red, green, and blue T-shirt" – List of colors → commas.
10. "T-shirt, my brown trousers, and a pair of sneakers" – List of clothing → commas.
11. "I arrived at 9:30, and John at 9:45" – Two independent clauses → comma + "and".
12. "The waiter, who was working that day, took..." – Non-restrictive clause → commas.
13. "We weren’t hungry, so we only..." – Independent clauses joined by "so" → comma.
14. "John, who seemed rather tired, told me..." – Non-restrictive clause → commas.
15. "time-consuming, demanding, and difficult" – List of adjectives → commas.
16. "‘I don’t know…,’ John said." – Dialogue → comma inside quote.
17. "However, he also admitted..." – Adverb at start → comma.
18. "advantages, some of which were:" – Introductory phrase before list → comma.
19. "environment, free lunch..., and a salary..." – List → commas.
20. "Do you even know," I asked, "what to spend it on?" – Interrupted dialogue → commas.
21. "John had no ideas, but if I had..." – Independent clauses → comma before "but".
22. "go on a long holiday, renovate..., and buy..." – List of actions → commas.
23. "fast, comfortable, and safe" – List → commas.
24. "John had to go back to work, and I had..." – Two clauses → comma.
25. "When I reached..., John offered..., which was..." – Non-restrictive clause → comma.
26. "‘That’s something...,’ he said." – Dialogue → comma inside quote.
27. "drinks, lunches, and so on" – List → commas.
---
- Always check for:
- Introductory elements
- Lists
- Non-restrictive clauses
- Dialogue
- Conjunctions between independent clauses
- Appositives
These are the core principles of comma usage in English.
Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a clean PDF or need help with a similar exercise!
---
Exercise 1:
Task: Put commas in the sentences. Justify why you put them there.
We'll go through each sentence, add appropriate commas, and explain the reasoning.
---
1. When going on a trip I like to take my guitar with me.
✔ Corrected: *When going on a trip, I like to take my guitar with me.*
🔹 Why? A comma is needed after introductory phrases (like "When going on a trip") to separate them from the main clause.
---
2. I’ve been to France Germany China and Spain.
✔ Corrected: *I’ve been to France, Germany, China, and Spain.*
🔹 Why? When listing multiple items in a series, use commas between each item. The Oxford comma (before "and") is optional but recommended for clarity.
---
3. Next week I am going to have a party so I invited my friends Mark and Sue.
✔ Corrected: *Next week, I am going to have a party, so I invited my friends Mark and Sue.*
🔹 Why?
- "Next week" is an introductory phrase → needs a comma.
- "so" connects two independent clauses → requires a comma before it.
---
4. There are exactly 489741 people living in this city most of whom take a train a bus or a tram to work.
✔ Corrected: *There are exactly 489,741 people living in this city, most of whom take a train, a bus, or a tram to work.*
🔹 Why?
- Add commas in large numbers: 489,741.
- "most of whom..." is a non-restrictive relative clause → set off with a comma.
- Use commas in the list: "train, a bus, or a tram".
---
5. "Look at this" he whispered.
✔ Corrected: *"Look at this," he whispered.*
🔹 Why? Quotation marks enclose direct speech. A comma goes inside the quotation marks before the closing quote when followed by dialogue tags.
---
6. Paulina his wife of many years decided to live in Greece.
✔ Corrected: *Paulina, his wife of many years, decided to live in Greece.*
🔹 Why? "his wife of many years" is an appositive (extra information about Paulina), so it should be set off with commas on both sides.
---
7. As the plane was coming to a halt on the runway I was beginning to feel less nervous.
✔ Corrected: *As the plane was coming to a halt on the runway, I was beginning to feel less nervous.*
🔹 Why? "As the plane..." is an introductory dependent clause → needs a comma before the main clause.
---
8. The thief had very impractical shoes so he couldn’t run very fast.
✔ Corrected: *The thief had very impractical shoes, so he couldn’t run very fast.*
🔹 Why? Two independent clauses joined by "so" → comma before "so".
---
9. "I’m warning you" said the teacher "don’t even try to cheat or else you will be expelled from school."
✔ Corrected: *"I’m warning you," said the teacher, "don’t even try to cheat or else you will be expelled from school."*
🔹 Why?
- Comma after "you" (inside quotes).
- Comma after "teacher" (dialogue tag in the middle).
- No comma before the second quote since it's part of the same sentence.
---
10. I dedicate this work to my brothers John Smith and God.
✔ Corrected: *I dedicate this work to my brothers, John Smith, and God.*
🔹 Why? "John Smith" is a specific name among the brothers — it’s a parenthetical appositive → set off with commas.
---
11. Sarah the most intelligent pupil in the class was always late for school.
✔ Corrected: *Sarah, the most intelligent pupil in the class, was always late for school.*
🔹 Why? "the most intelligent pupil..." is descriptive but not essential → non-restrictive appositive → commas on both sides.
---
12. I said that she is intelligent not pretty.
✔ Corrected: *I said that she is intelligent, not pretty.*
🔹 Why? "not pretty" contrasts with "intelligent" → use a comma to separate contrasting ideas.
---
13. Once the storm was over we could sail to the island.
✔ Corrected: *Once the storm was over, we could sail to the island.*
🔹 Why? "Once the storm was over" is an introductory adverbial clause → needs a comma.
---
14. Given the terrible weather conditions it is surprising that the holiday was so enjoyable.
✔ Corrected: *Given the terrible weather conditions, it is surprising that the holiday was so enjoyable.*
🔹 Why? "Given..." is a prepositional phrase at the start → needs a comma.
---
15. India a truly beautiful interesting and exotic country is now a popular tourist destination.
✔ Corrected: *India, a truly beautiful, interesting, and exotic country, is now a popular tourist destination.*
🔹 Why?
- "a truly beautiful, interesting, and exotic country" is a non-restrictive appositive → commas on both sides.
- Use commas in the list of adjectives: "beautiful, interesting, and exotic".
---
16. During lunch at the campus cafeteria Henry noticed the dirty tables the overworked cashiers and the high prices of food.
✔ Corrected: *During lunch at the campus cafeteria, Henry noticed the dirty tables, the overworked cashiers, and the high prices of food.*
🔹 Why?
- Introductory phrase → comma after "cafeteria".
- List of three items → commas between them and Oxford comma before "and".
---
17. During the race I tried to keep up with Mark who can run 100 meters in under 12 seconds.
✔ Corrected: *During the race, I tried to keep up with Mark, who can run 100 meters in under 12 seconds.*
🔹 Why?
- Introductory phrase → comma after "race".
- "who can run..." is non-restrictive (adds extra info) → commas around it.
---
18. To study for the exam Bill drank seven cups of coffee which kept him awake all night.
✔ Corrected: *To study for the exam, Bill drank seven cups of coffee, which kept him awake all night.*
🔹 Why?
- "To study..." is an infinitive phrase at the start → comma after it.
- "which..." refers back to "coffee" and adds extra info → non-restrictive → comma before and after.
---
19. I only earn 2000 USD a month for my hard work and my wife gets 12000 USD which is not fair.
✔ Corrected: *I only earn $2,000 USD a month for my hard work, and my wife gets $12,000 USD, which is not fair.*
🔹 Why?
- Use dollar signs and commas in large numbers: $2,000, $12,000.
- Two independent clauses → join with "and" and comma.
- "which is not fair" is non-restrictive → comma before it.
---
20. Ron who is 15 was doing his best to win the contest but he failed.
✔ Corrected: *Ron, who is 15, was doing his best to win the contest, but he failed.*
🔹 Why?
- "who is 15" is non-restrictive → commas around it.
- Two independent clauses → comma before "but".
---
✔ Summary for Exercise 1:
Key rules applied:
- Commas after introductory phrases/clauses.
- Commas in lists (with Oxford comma).
- Commas around non-restrictive clauses and appositives.
- Commas before conjunctions joining independent clauses.
- Commas in quotations and with dialogue tags.
- Commas for contrast and clarification.
---
Exercise 2:
Task: Put commas in the text.
Let’s go through the passage and insert commas where needed.
> Last week I decided to visit my best friend John. He is a very smart handsome and kind person and he always manages to find some time for me. Last week however the situation was different. Because he had just got a new job John had very little free time. Nevertheless he managed to arrange a quick 15-minute-long meeting in the “Blue Rose” café which is said to be owned by a very famous actor. I was wearing my checked red green and blue T-shirt my brown trousers and a pair of sneakers. I arrived at 9:30 and John at 9:45. The waiter who was working that day took our order. We weren’t hungry so we only ordered drinks. John who seemed rather tired told me that his new job was very time-consuming demanding and difficult. “I don’t know if I’ll manage to work like that for long” John said. However he also admitted that his job had advantages some of which were: a comfortable working environment free lunch for each employee and a salary of 11000 USD. “That’s a lot of money!” I said. “Do you even know” I asked “what to spend it on?” John had no ideas but if I had that much money I would probably go on a long holiday renovate my house and buy a new car. That car would have to be fast comfortable and safe. Our conversation ended quickly because John had to go back to work and I had a bus back home to catch. When I reached for my wallet to pay for my drink John offered to pay for everything which was very nice of him. “That’s something I can spend my money on” he said. “I can pay for my friends’ drinks lunches and so on.”
---
✔ Corrected Version with Commas:
> Last week, I decided to visit my best friend, John. He is a very smart, handsome, and kind person, and he always manages to find some time for me. Last week, however, the situation was different. Because he had just got a new job, John had very little free time. Nevertheless, he managed to arrange a quick 15-minute-long meeting in the “Blue Rose” café, which is said to be owned by a very famous actor. I was wearing my checked red, green, and blue T-shirt, my brown trousers, and a pair of sneakers. I arrived at 9:30, and John at 9:45. The waiter, who was working that day, took our order. We weren’t hungry, so we only ordered drinks. John, who seemed rather tired, told me that his new job was very time-consuming, demanding, and difficult. “I don’t know if I’ll manage to work like that for long,” John said. However, he also admitted that his job had advantages, some of which were: a comfortable working environment, free lunch for each employee, and a salary of $11,000 USD. “That’s a lot of money!” I said. “Do you even know,” I asked, “what to spend it on?” John had no ideas, but if I had that much money, I would probably go on a long holiday, renovate my house, and buy a new car. That car would have to be fast, comfortable, and safe. Our conversation ended quickly because John had to go back to work, and I had a bus back home to catch. When I reached for my wallet to pay for my drink, John offered to pay for everything, which was very nice of him. “That’s something I can spend my money on,” he said. “I can pay for my friends’ drinks, lunches, and so on.”
---
🔍 Explanation of Key Commas in Exercise 2:
1. "Last week, I decided..." – Introductory phrase → comma.
2. "my best friend, John" – Appositive → comma.
3. "smart, handsome, and kind" – Series of adjectives → commas.
4. "person, and he always..." – Independent clauses joined by "and" → comma.
5. "Last week, however, the situation..." – Parenthetical word "however" → commas.
6. "Because he had just got a new job, John..." – Dependent clause at start → comma.
7. "Nevertheless, he managed..." – Adverb at start → comma.
8. "café, which is said..." – Non-restrictive relative clause → comma.
9. "red, green, and blue T-shirt" – List of colors → commas.
10. "T-shirt, my brown trousers, and a pair of sneakers" – List of clothing → commas.
11. "I arrived at 9:30, and John at 9:45" – Two independent clauses → comma + "and".
12. "The waiter, who was working that day, took..." – Non-restrictive clause → commas.
13. "We weren’t hungry, so we only..." – Independent clauses joined by "so" → comma.
14. "John, who seemed rather tired, told me..." – Non-restrictive clause → commas.
15. "time-consuming, demanding, and difficult" – List of adjectives → commas.
16. "‘I don’t know…,’ John said." – Dialogue → comma inside quote.
17. "However, he also admitted..." – Adverb at start → comma.
18. "advantages, some of which were:" – Introductory phrase before list → comma.
19. "environment, free lunch..., and a salary..." – List → commas.
20. "Do you even know," I asked, "what to spend it on?" – Interrupted dialogue → commas.
21. "John had no ideas, but if I had..." – Independent clauses → comma before "but".
22. "go on a long holiday, renovate..., and buy..." – List of actions → commas.
23. "fast, comfortable, and safe" – List → commas.
24. "John had to go back to work, and I had..." – Two clauses → comma.
25. "When I reached..., John offered..., which was..." – Non-restrictive clause → comma.
26. "‘That’s something...,’ he said." – Dialogue → comma inside quote.
27. "drinks, lunches, and so on" – List → commas.
---
✔ Final Notes:
- Always check for:
- Introductory elements
- Lists
- Non-restrictive clauses
- Dialogue
- Conjunctions between independent clauses
- Appositives
These are the core principles of comma usage in English.
Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a clean PDF or need help with a similar exercise!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of 8th grade punctuation worksheet.
