Conventions of Composition Rule 37 Practice

1. Wrong: I studied German Greek and Chinese while at Hotchkiss.

Better: I studied German, Greek, and Chinese while at Hotchkiss.

Explanation: Commas separate items on the list, making clear that the speaker studied three distinct languages.

2. Wrong: The tall handsome trans man won our hearts minds and votes.

Better: The tall, handsome trans man won our hearts, minds, and votes.

Explanation: Tall and handsome both describe the trans man, so a comma between them helps create clarity. The three-part compound direct object also needs separation with commas.

3. Wrong: She told her wife she already looked under the table behind the shelves and in the cabinet.

Better: She told her wife she already looked under the table, behind the shelves, and in the cabinet.

Explanation: Commas help clarify that there are three distinct prepositional phrases.