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Curing Two Comma Conundrums Name ______________________
Two of the most common student punctuation faults involve overuse or misuse of commas.
Comma Fault 1: Comma Splice With however:
Faulty: Mike got an interview, however, he didn't get the job.
Correct: Mike got an interview; however, he didn't get the job.
Comma Fault 2: Unnecessary Comma With Coordinating Conjunction
Faulty: Mike prepared for the interview, and thought he had done well.
Correct: Mike prepared for the interview and thought he had done well.
In the following sentences, add appropriate commas or semicolons and remove
inappropriate commas. Mark "C" if the sentence is correct. Be prepared to justify your
choices.
1. Frito-Lay wants to sell healthier foods, and intends to use no artificial ingredients in its
60 snack varieties.
2. The switchover to natural ingredients coincides with a push by PepsiCo into healthier
products, and to cut back on unhealthy ingredients in its biggest sellers like soda and
potato chips.
8. In recent years Frito-Lay eliminated trans fats, and reduced saturated fats in most of its
snack varieties.
9. Many Americans don't believe that potato chips are actually made from potatoes,
however, potato chips have been made from potatoes for decades.
10. The company ramped up its use of natural seasonings such as molasses, and tested the
new flavors on 120 to 1,500 consumers at a time.
Key
1. Delete comma preceding coordinating conjunction and. It does not join two clauses.
2. Delete comma preceding and. It does not join two clauses.
3. Delete both commas. They do not join two clauses.
4. lose weight and eat better; however, it's not clear . . . .
The conjunctive adverb however joins two clauses and requires a semicolon.
5. Insert comma before but because it joins two independent clauses.
6. No comma is necessary because but does not join two independent clauses.
7. No comma is necessary in this simple sentence.
