Commas with Interjections and Parenthetical Expressions

Learning Objectives

Grammar:

• Understand how to use commas with interjections and parenthetical expressions.

Commas with Interjections and Parenthetical Expressions

Interjections and Parenthetical Expressions

Interjections and parenthetical expressions act as interrupters—to express emotion or add explanatory information. They have no grammatical connection to the rest of the sentence, however, so should be set off with commas.

Literature Connection 

In the quotation below, Chekhov introduces the sentences with the expressions of course and well. 

“Of course, I must say you look splendid, but . . . Well, tell me, why are you so dressed up?” 

— Anton Chekhov, from “A Marriage Proposal”

Of course is a parenthetical expression, which adds explanatory information to the sentence. Other common parenthetical expressions include in fact, on the other hand, for example, by the way, and nevertheless. The word well is an interjection, a word that expresses emotion. Alas, good grief, oh, uh-oh, sorry, and wow are other common interjections. Because interjections and parenthetical expressions have no grammatical connection to the rest of the sentence, they should be set off with commas.

Interjections 

These usually occur at the beginning of a sentence. Interjections that express strong emotion may be followed by an exclamation point.

• Sorry, we weren’t expecting you. 
• Good heavens, he was wearing a suit and top hat!

Parenthetical expressions 

These may appear at the beginning, at the end, or in the middle of a sentence and are set off by one or two commas.

• In fact, Lomov had come to Natalia with the intention of proposing.
• Lomov had come to Natalia, in fact, with the intention of proposing.
• Lomov had come to Natalia, with the intention of proposing, in fact.

Commas with Interjections and Parenthetical Expressions Quiz

Rewrite these sentences to correct any comma mistakes.

1. Well if you check the background information, you can see that the story was written in the year 1888. 
2. Oh I see that Chekhov had earned a degree in medicine. 
3. Chekhov unfortunately was poor and had to support himself by writing hundreds of articles for comic magazines. 
4. These writings on the other hand showed the revolutionary literary style and promise of the masterpieces he was soon to create. 
5. One masterpiece is of course the one-act play “A Marriage Proposal.”

Answer Key

1. Well, if you check the background information, you can see that the story was written in the year 1888. 
2. Oh, I see that Chekhov had earned a degree in medicine. 
3. Chekhov, unfortunately, was poor and had to support himself by writing hundreds of articles for comic magazines. 
4. These writings, on the other hand, showed the revolutionary literary style and promise of the masterpieces he was soon to create. 
5. One masterpiece is, of course, the one-act play “A Marriage Proposal.”