Descriptive phrases often need to be separated from the things that they describe in order to clarify that the descriptive phrases are subordinate (i.e., they relate to the sentence context, but are less responsible for creating meaning than the sentence’s subject and verb). Descriptive phrases tend to come at the very beginning of a sentence, right after the subject of a sentence, or at the very end of a sentence.
- Near the end of the eighteenth century, James Hutton introduced a point of view that radically changed scientists’ thinking about geologic processes.
- James Lovelock, who first measured CFCs globally, said in 1973 that CFCs constituted no conceivable hazard.
- All of the major industrialized nations approved, making the possibility a reality.
Purpose
The performance appraisal is critical to the employee’s individual professional development, highlighting company goals and objectives, enhancing communication, recognition, and effectively addressing any issues. It will provide for a meaningful dialog between you and your manager related to your individual performance and the achievement of key outcomes expected of you in your current position, as well as your conscious contribution toward overall company goals.
The river caught fire on July 4, 1968, in Cleveland, Ohio.
The dates (July 4, 1968) and places (Cleveland, Ohio) are juxtaposed, and commas are needed because the juxtaposed items are clearly different from each other. This applies to countries as well as states: “Paris, France, is beautiful this time of year.”
PRACTICE
The commas have been removed from the following sentences. Re-type them, adding the correct commas back in.
- Sergi Sousa the top-ranked shoe designer in Rhode Island is going to be at the party tonight.
- Sergi only wears shoes that he created himself.
- Nevertheless he is incredibly courteous and polite to everyone he meets.
- He was born in Barcelona Spain on April 19 1987.