The Correct Placement of Commas in Interrupter Sentences

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 0 views

The Importance of Commas in Effective Communication

Commas are a crucial part of the English language, used to separate items in a list, set off nonessential clauses, and indicate pauses in speech. However, when it comes to interrupter sentences, the placement of commas can be a bit tricky. In this article, we will explore the correct placement of commas in a sentence that includes an interrupter.

What is an Interrupter Sentence?

An interrupter sentence is a type of sentence that contains an interrupter, which is a word or phrase that interrupts the flow of the sentence. Interrupter sentences often use a comma to separate the interrupter from the rest of the sentence. For example:

"I was going to the store, but I forgot my wallet."
"The two researchers working independently from one another arrived at the same conclusion."

The Correct Placement of Commas in Interrupter Sentences

When it comes to the sentence "The two researchers working independently from one another arrived at the same conclusion," the question is where the commas should be placed. The two possible answers are:

A. After the words "working" and "arrived." B. After the words "from one another."

Option A: Commas After "Working" and "Arrived"

Placing commas after the words "working" and "arrived" would result in the following sentence:

"The two researchers, working independently from one another, arrived at the same conclusion."

However, this placement of commas is incorrect. The interrupter "working independently from one another" is a nonessential clause that provides additional information about the researchers. It is not essential to the meaning of the sentence, and therefore, it should be set off with a comma after the main clause.

Option B: Commas After "From One Another"

Placing commas after the words "from one another" would result in the following sentence:

"The two researchers working independently from one another, arrived at the same conclusion."

This placement of commas is also incorrect. The interrupter "working independently from one another" is a nonessential clause that provides additional information about the researchers. It is not essential to the meaning of the sentence, and therefore, it should be set off with a comma after the main clause.

The Correct Placement of Commas

The correct placement of commas in the sentence "The two researchers working independently from one another arrived at the same conclusion" is after the main clause. The correct sentence would be:

"The two researchers working independently from one another, arrived at the same conclusion."

Why is this the Correct Placement of Commas?

The correct placement of commas is after the main clause because the interrupter "working independently from one another" is a nonessential clause that provides additional information about the researchers. It is not essential to the meaning of the sentence, and therefore, it should be set off with a comma after the main clause.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the correct placement of commas in the sentence "The two researchers working independently from one another arrived at the same conclusion" is after the main clause. This placement of commas is necessary to set off the nonessential clause "working independently from one another" and to provide clarity to the reader.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to interrupter sentences, there are several common mistakes to avoid. These include:

Placing commas after the interrupter, rather than after the main clause.
Failing to use commas to set off nonessential clauses.
Using commas to separate items in a list, rather than to indicate pauses in speech.

Tips for Using Commas Effectively

To use commas effectively, follow these tips:

Use commas to set off nonessential clauses.
Use commas to indicate pauses in speech.
Use commas to separate items in a list.
Avoid using commas to separate items in a series of three or more items.
Avoid using commas to separate items in a series of three or more items that are connected by "and" or "or".

Conclusion

Q: What is an interrupter sentence?

A: An interrupter sentence is a type of sentence that contains an interrupter, which is a word or phrase that interrupts the flow of the sentence. Interrupter sentences often use a comma to separate the interrupter from the rest of the sentence.

Q: What is the purpose of a comma in an interrupter sentence?

A: The purpose of a comma in an interrupter sentence is to separate the interrupter from the rest of the sentence and to indicate a pause in speech.

Q: How do I know where to place the comma in an interrupter sentence?

A: To determine where to place the comma in an interrupter sentence, identify the main clause and the interrupter. The comma should be placed after the main clause, not after the interrupter.

Q: What is a nonessential clause?

A: A nonessential clause is a clause that provides additional information about a person, place, or thing, but is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.

Q: How do I know if a clause is essential or nonessential?

A: To determine if a clause is essential or nonessential, ask yourself if the information in the clause is necessary to understand the meaning of the sentence. If it is not necessary, the clause is nonessential and should be set off with a comma.

Q: What is the difference between a comma and a semicolon?

A: A comma is used to separate items in a list, set off nonessential clauses, and indicate pauses in speech. A semicolon is used to separate two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning.

Q: Can I use a comma to separate two independent clauses?

A: No, you cannot use a comma to separate two independent clauses. This is known as a comma splice and is considered a grammatical error.

Q: How do I fix a comma splice?

A: To fix a comma splice, use a semicolon to separate the two independent clauses, or use a conjunction to join the two clauses together.

Q: Can I use a comma to separate items in a list?

A: Yes, you can use a comma to separate items in a list. However, if the list contains three or more items, use a comma after each item except the last one.

Q: How do I use commas to separate items in a list?

A: To use commas to separate items in a list, follow these steps:

Write the first item in the list.
Add a comma after the first item.
Write the second item in the list.
Add a comma after the second item.
Write the third item in the list (do not add a comma after this item).
Continue adding items to the list, separating each item with a comma.

Q: Can I use a comma to separate items in a series of three or more items?

A: No, you cannot use a comma to separate items in a series of three or more items. This is known as a comma error and is considered a grammatical error.

Q: How do I fix a comma error?

A: To fix a comma error, use a conjunction to join the items together, or use a semicolon to separate the items.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when using commas?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when using commas include:

Placing commas after the interrupter, rather than after the main clause.
Failing to use commas to set off nonessential clauses.
Using commas to separate items in a list, rather than to indicate pauses in speech.
Using commas to separate items in a series of three or more items.
Using commas to separate items in a series of three or more items that are connected by "and" or "or".

Q: How can I improve my use of commas?

A: To improve your use of commas, practice using commas in different contexts, such as in lists, nonessential clauses, and interrupter sentences. Read your writing aloud to ensure that the commas are in the correct place.