Read the sentenced Add commas when they are needed.
I wrote the letter folded it and mailed it.
Comma after "letter" and a comma after the first it
Justin prepared the soil planted the seeds and watered the garden
Comma after soil and seeds
Our dog ran across the lawn through the gate and into the street
Comma after lawn and gate
Rows of healthy tall sunflowers filled the field
Comma after healthy and sunflowers
The deep cold lake looks refreshing
Comma after deep
This is wrong.
Rows of healthy tall sunflowers filled the field
Comma after healthy and sunflowers
The others are correct.
No comma after sunflowers?
Right -- no comma after sunflowers.
Can you explain why?
We don't usually put a comma after a prepositional phrase.
To determine where commas are needed in a sentence, it is necessary to identify the different independent clauses or items in a list. Here's a breakdown of the sentences you provided and where the commas should be placed:
1. I wrote the letter, folded it, and mailed it.
- Commas are needed after "letter" and after the first "it" to separate the independent clauses: "I wrote the letter," "folded it," and "mailed it."
2. Justin prepared the soil, planted the seeds, and watered the garden.
- Commas are required after "soil" and "seeds" to separate the different items in the list: "Justin prepared the soil," "planted the seeds," and "watered the garden."
3. Our dog ran across the lawn, through the gate, and into the street.
- Commas should be placed after "lawn" and "gate" to distinguish the separate items in the series: "Our dog ran across the lawn," "through the gate," and "into the street."
4. Rows of healthy, tall sunflowers filled the field.
- In this sentence, a comma is needed after "healthy" to separate the two attributes describing the sunflowers: "healthy" and "tall."
5. The deep, cold lake looks refreshing.
- In this case, a comma is necessary after "deep" to set off the adjective "cold" and provide a clear distinction: "the deep, cold lake."
Remember, commas are used to indicate pauses, separate items in a list, and clarify the structure of a sentence. Understanding these rules can help you identify where commas are needed in various sentences.