Final answer:
The correct use of commas is found in the sentence 'We were prepared for a long, tedious wait in the emergency room.' This sentence follows the rule for using commas to separate coordinating adjectives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct sentence that uses commas appropriately is 'We were prepared for a long, tedious wait in the emergency room.' In this sentence, a comma is used to separate two adjectives (long and tedious) that equally describe a noun (wait). This rule is known as the coordinating adjective rule and is essential for clarity in writing.
Let's review a few more examples to solidify this concept:
- I finally found my keys, and I got to work just in time. (Two independent clauses joined by a comma and coordinating conjunction)
- Mrs. Contreras threw out her old coffee table and cleaned the carpet. (No comma needed as the two actions are done by the same subject and not independent clauses)
- Taking the elevator to the roof, we hoped we could see the skyline and the bay. (Comma after introductory phrase)
Remember that commas are tools to clarify meaning and should not be overused or misplaced. Balancing essential and nonessential information is key to clear communication.