9. Correct: She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and stepped off the high diving board.
The other 3 corrected below. Each of these are making a list, and a list needs comma between each item.
a. Toby designed the set [comma here] Ruby made the puppets, and I wrote the story.
b. Frankly, I thought the story was boring [comma here] silly, and a complete waste of time.
c. Josh put hay [comma here] grain, and containers of water in the truck.
10. Correct: She had bought a frame for the photograph, but the frame was too big.
a. Tina hadn’t practiced all week [comma] yet she played beautifully. - This transitions a thought.
b. The driver may have taken a wrong turn [comma] or he may have been delayed. - List
c. They had met when they were four [comma] so they had known each other for 30 years. - Transition.
11. Correct: The bright, colorful curtains let in plenty of light.
a. You can clean your room [comma] rake the yard [comma] or help me with the car. - List
b. Underneath the rug [comma] in the front room, [I think this is an incorrect comma, but I'm not sure.] was the entrance to the basement. - Transition
c. While the pizza was baking [comma] we checked the mail. - Transition
A good rule of thumb for commas is whenever you say the sentence outloud, any time you pause slightly, you will generally use a comma when writing.
Reasons to use a comma:
A "transition" (as I call it) between two independent clauses. An independent clause is a part of a sentence that by itself could be a sentence. For example: Tina hadn’t practiced all week. She played beautifully. (Question 10)
Any list. "We did A, B, and C."
With a conjunction (and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so). "We can do A, but not B."
"Introductory elements". This is sometimes optional, but generally using a comma is correct regardless of if it is necessary. Question 11: Underneath the rug [comma] in the front room [etc]. The "underneath the rug" is introductory and dependent on the rest of the sentence.
