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25.6: Using a Comma to Set Off Non-Essential Elements

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    While every word in a sentence should be carefully selected to create meaning for readers, not every word will be essential. Sometimes, you might interrupt your main idea with a word or phrase to add extra information; this non-essential word or phrase is called an “appositive.” Think about your everyday conversations with friends: you probably rarely get straight to your main point without pausing to add context or qualify a piece of information along the way. You can use this tactic in your writing to break up ideas for readers, emphasize key peripheral information, or incorporate a more conversational tone. To indicate to readers that you are pausing from the main idea, use commas around non-essential information to set it apart.

    Exercise 25.6: Using a Comma to Set Off Non-Essential Elements

    Read the following sentences and insert commas where necessary.

    1. I asked my neighbors the retired couple from Florida to bring in my mail.
    2. Without a doubt his work has improved over the last few weeks.
    3. Our professor Mr. Alamut drilled the lessons into our heads.
    4. The meeting is at noon unfortunately which means I will be late for lunch.
    5. We came in time for the last part of dinner but most importantly we came in time for dessert

    This page titled 25.6: Using a Comma to Set Off Non-Essential Elements was last modified on Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:47:36 GMT and is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by The Butler Community College English Department.