Question

Main Idea: Commas separate certain phrases or clauses from the rest of a

sentence.
1. Insert commas where they are missing in these sentences, and then circle the
words that explain why you placed the commas where you did.
The delivery driver who was new to this route approached the cottage.
This sentence needs a comma [before and after / only before] the nonrestrictive
clause.
Mother was surprised to hear the doorbell which she'd thought was broken.
This sentence needs a comma [before and after / only before] the nonrestrictive
clause.
2. Rewrite the sentence to correct the dangling modifier.
With an engine howling, I watched the motorcycle zip down the street.

Answer 1

Commas are used to separate certain phrases or clauses in sentences. A hanging modifier can be corrected by rephrasing the sentence.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the first sentence, a comma should be placed before and after the phrase 'who was new to this route' because it provides additional information about the delivery driver but is not necessary for the understanding of the main idea of the sentence. In the second sentence, a comma should be placed before the nonrestrictive clause 'which she'd thought was broken' to separate it from the rest of the sentence. This clause provides additional information but is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.

To correct the dangling modifier in the third sentence, it can be rewritten as: 'I watched the motorcycle zip down the street with its engine howling.' By making the subject of the main clause ('I') the one doing the action described in the modifier ('watched'), the sentence becomes clear and grammatically correct.

Learn more about Commas and sentence structure