Conventions of Composition Rule 83 Practice

1. Wrong: Ouch that movie causes my ears real pain.

Better: Ouch, that movie causes my ears real pain.

Explanation: The word ouch is an interjection, not connected grammatically to the rest of the sentence. Therefore, it should be separated with a comma.

2. Wrong: Holy guacamole I can't believe how many balloons were in that room!

Better: Holy guacamole! I can't believe how many balloons were in that room!

Also better: Holy guacamole, I can't believe how many balloons were in that room!

Explanation: Holy guacamole isn't grammatically connected to the rest of the sentence. If the speaker screams it, then it should be separated with an exclamation mark. If she says it, it can be separated with a comma. Either way, holy guacamoles needs to be separated from the rest of the sentence.

3. Wrong: Yes please put jalapenos on my sandwich.

Better: Yes, please put jalapenos on my sandwich.

Explanation: Yes is an interjection, not grammatically part of the sentence that follows.