Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas - PSAT Writing

The phrase "Unlike his classmates" functions as an introductory phrase, one that conditions the meaning of the rest of the sentence. All introductory phrases must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma; therefore, "Unlike his classmates, the boy" is the correct answer choice.

Grammatically, it is best to avoid use of verbs ending in "-ing" where they are not necessary. The correct answer avoids this by using the phrase "owner who started." It is also the most efficient (and least wordy) option.

In this question, the original sentence was actually formed by two independent clauses combined with a comma (a comma splice). In order to unite two independent clauses, either one clause must be subordinated, or stronger punctuation must be used. Only the correct answer choice connects the independent clauses with the correct punctuation, in this case, a semicolon.

The original sentence contains a subordinate clause, "Although I was raised in an English-speaking household," and an independent clause, "I always found French and Spanish much more beautiful." Therefore the comma separating them is correct, and the sentence contains no error. The word "although," especially when used at the beginning of a sentence, is an easy marker for subordinate clauses.

A comma is not needed between independent and dependent clauses when the independent clause comes first: "The President initially vetoed the bill in order . . ."

The phrase underlined at the end of the sentence is one whole and complete phrase. Thus, the use of a comma anywhere in the phrase is grammatically incorrect. "Speculation by scholars" is the correct answer choice.

The only problem with the sentence is that it is a compound sentence, shoved into a run on sentence. The sentence consists of two complete thoughts, joined by the conjunction "which." All such sentences must be divided by a comma before the conjunction, making "than the youngest kid, which allowed him" the correct answer choice.

The underlined portion of the sentence contains a small punctuation problem. Specifically, the phrase "as the pain was too much to bear," is a phrase that explains the sentence, but is not necessary to its construction. All such phrases need a comma to separate them from the body of the sentence. "Rarely talked to his children as the pain was too much for him to bear," is the best answer choice.

The phrase "as it was all they had to eat" is used as an explanatory phrase, which is unnecessary to the construction of the sentence. Such a phrase needs to be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma; therefore, the correct answer is "the poor meat, as it was all they had to eat."

The phrase "preferring to use simplifying language" is a dependent clause, a clause that cannot be used as a complete sentence but instead relies on other information. Although it cannot stand alone, it still needs to be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma; therefore, the correct answer is " displays of his verbal acuity, preferring to use simplified language."

The phrase "wherever he felt like it" is a dependent clause that explains more about the main body of the sentence. All dependent clauses must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. As such, "spitting constantly, wherever he felt like it" is the correct answer choice.

The phrase "despite having none to conduct" is a dependent clause, a clause that cannot stand as a complete sentence on its own, but provides extra explanation to the body of the sentence. A dependent clause always needs to be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. The only answer choice that does this is "The former bandleader still dreamed about conducting an ensemble despite having none to conduct."

The phrase "which stressed their underlings" is a dependent clause, or a clause that relies on the main body of the sentence for its full meaning. Any dependent clause must be set apart from the main body of the sentence by a comma. The answer choice that appropriately uses such a comma is "The managers decided to make a change for no particular reason, which stressed their underlings."

Inserting a comma between "nothing" and "but" is incorrect, as the sentence is one complete thought, and should not be broken up by a comma. The only thing that needs to be changed is that the comma needs to be removed from the sentence. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "The fourth place finisher at the Olympics receives nothing but the satisfaction of representing his or her country and competing."

The sentence in the question is a compound sentence, one that joins two complete thoughts to show their relationship to each other. While the conjunction "as" connects the two parts, it also needs a comma to join the two thoughts together correctly. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "The issue proved to be a hot topic for years, as ten years later it was still being debated in leading universities."

The sentence is written as a compound sentence, containing two complete independent clauses, but does not properly connect them. A compound sentence must be connected either by a semicolon or a comma and conjunction, which in this sentence is "because." Therefore, the correct answer choice is "Home cooks are at a disadvantage to professional chefs, because the quality of their equipment is not at the same level."

The phrase "with the only exception being Fridays" is a dependent clause, and needs to be clearly distinguished from the main clause of the sentence. The best way to do this is by setting a comma between the two parts. The only answer choice that correctly places a comma in the sentence is "He typically worked late, with the only exception being Fridays."

The words "a long time activist" are an interrupting phrase, that is a phrase which interrupts the sentence and is not necessary for proper sentence construction, but does provide information. Such phrases must be set off by commas on either end, so "leader, a long time activist, urged" is the best choice among the answers.

The sentence, as written, actually contains two separate phrases, with "When reaching for metaphors" being an introductory phrase. Introductory phrases always need to be set off by commas; therefore, the correct answer is "When reaching for a metaphor, authors often make their point more confusing."

The word "Frequently" in the sentence is used as an adverb describing the actions of the students; therefore, it must be set apart from the rest of the sentence, and "students" in particular, to work as an introductory phrase. "Frequently, students" is the correct answer.