For help in recognizing unnecessary commas, see pages 337-44 of A Writer's Guidebook.

NOTE: Cutting, pasting, and adding or deleting text may cause awkward line breaks which you can correct by backspacing. Exercise 34 Unnecessary commas Delete any unnecessary commas in the following sentences. 1. A Johns Hopkins University psychologist has studied the connection between art, and mental illness for many years. A Johns Hopkins University psychologist has studied the connection between art, and mental illness for many years.   2. Other researchers disagree with her, arguing that hers is merely the latest attempt to connect illness with genius, and that past attempts have singled out epilepsy, syphilis, and alcoholism. Other researchers disagree with her, arguing that hers is merely the latest attempt to connect illness with genius, and that past attempts have singled out epilepsy, syphilis, and alcoholism.   3. In artists, who were near death, this mental state supposedly inspired great works of genius. In artists, who were near death, this mental state supposedly inspired great works of genius.   4. About 2,100 kilometers of Alaskan shoreline, were damaged by oil from the Exxon Valdez. About 2,100 kilometers of Alaskan shoreline, were damaged by oil from the Exxon Valdez.   5. More than 30,000 bodies of birds, mammals, and fish, were picked up from the shore and water within the first few months. More than 30,000 bodies of birds, mammals, and fish, were picked up from the shore and water within the first few months.   6. The murre, a large, black, and white bird of the auk family, was one of the animals most affected by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. The murre, a large, black, and white bird of the auk family, was one of the animals most affected by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.   7. Not surprisingly, most comparisons of pre-spill and post-spill numbers showed that the crucial, breeding populations were reduced. Not surprisingly, most comparisons of pre-spill and post-spill numbers showed that the crucial, breeding populations were reduced.   8. In 1863, some of the Nez Percé had signed a treaty with the U.S. government, requiring them to move to a reservation in central Idaho. In 1863, some of the Nez Percé had signed a treaty with the U.S. government, requiring them to move to a reservation in central Idaho.   9. But, other Nez Percé members were determined to stay in their homeland and so, did not sign. But, other Nez Percé members were determined to stay in their homeland and so, did not sign.   10. The nontreaty Nez Percé tried to ignore the treaty, but, as they had expected, they were eventually ordered to move. The nontreaty Nez Percé tried to ignore the treaty, but, as they had expected, they were eventually ordered to move.   Please fill out the fields below to ensure correct delivery of your exercise. You will receive a confirmation notice. Your e-mail address Your instructor's e-mail address Your name CAUTION: If you check your answers and go back to this page using the links on the answer key, your changes will be gone. Use the back button on your browser to keep the changes intact. E-mail exercise to instructor Student answer key for this exercise (even-numbered answers only) Instructor answer key for this exercise (password protected)

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