IXL | Commas with direct addresses, introductory elements, absolute phrases, interjections, interrupters, and antithetical phrases

Correct the text by inserting or removing commas. There should be a total of one comma.

Throughout the untended garden grew dozens of weeds. Bruce was vigorously digging them up his brow moist with sweat.

ref_doc_title.

Learn with an example

question

Correct the text by inserting or removing commas. There should be a total of one comma.

Eliana carefully studied the, contract her pen poised above the dotted line.

key idea

Mild interjections and introductory words

Use a comma after mild interjections, as well as words like yes, no, well, and however, when they are followed by a complete sentence.

Oh, the sunset is so beautiful.

Yes, that sounds great!

Introductory phrases

Use a comma after most introductory phrases—such as participle phrases, infinitive phrases, and long prepositional phrases—when they are followed by a complete sentence. (Commas are not usually necessary after short prepositional phrases of one or two words.)

In just a few weeks, Mr. Chen will be leaving for his trip to France.

Breathing heavily, Maddie sprinted the last few meters of the race.

Absolute phrases

Use commas to set off absolute phrases. An absolute phrase usually consists of a noun followed by a participle phrase, adjective phrase, or other modifier.

Hands shaking, Tony opened the letter and read it aloud.

Amanda rushed inside the house, her clothes already wet from the rain.

Direct addresses

Use commas to set off the name of a person being spoken to.

Bella, thank you.

Thank you, Bella, for your help.

Interrupters

Use commas to set off interrupters, which are words, phrases, or clauses that interrupt the sentence with extra, or parenthetical, information.

You, of course, may have a different opinion.

The new theme park won't open, I'm sorry to say, until next year.

Antithetical phrases

Use commas to set off phrases that use the words not or unlike to qualify adjacent text.

Alexander the Great was Macedonian, not Greek.

Tara, unlike Megan, finds chemistry fascinating.

solution

Her pen poised above the dotted line is an absolute phrase, so set it off with a comma.

Eliana carefully studied the contract, her pen poised above the dotted line.

No other commas are needed.

$Confetti$

Excellent!

Now entering the Challenge Zone—are you ready?

Questions
answeredQuestions

Time
elapsedTime

hr	min	sec
00	00	06

SmartScore
out of 100
IXL's SmartScore is a dynamic measure of progress towards mastery, rather than a percentage grade. It tracks your skill level as you tackle progressively more difficult questions. Consistently answer questions correctly to reach excellence (90), or conquer the Challenge Zone to achieve mastery (100)! Learn more

Teacher tools

Work it out

Not feeling ready yet? This can help:

LL.1Commas with direct addresses, introductory words, interjections, interrupters, and antithetical phrases

Excellent! You got that right!

Jumping to level 1 of 1

Excellent!