ACT® · English: Punctuation Conventions
Commas Around Simple Parenthetical Elements
Watch it explained
- How it worksHow does a pair of commas act like handles that let you pull an interrupter out of a sentence?
- Worked exampleWalk me through punctuating 'The verdict however surprised nearly everyone in the courtroom.'
- Common mistakeWhy isn't one comma enough when an interrupter is sitting in the middle of a sentence?
- Common mistakeWhy doesn't an interrupter at the very start of a sentence need a mark in front of it as well?
Check yourself
Your turneasy1 of 3
An essay reads: 'The verdict however surprised nearly everyone among the 148 people in the courtroom.' Which choice is best for the underlined portion, 'verdict however surprised'?End of topic.