Even though the SAT doesn't test the minor differences between commas, parentheses, and dashes, when should each of them be used?

Generally, commas are the most formal, followed by parentheses and then dashes. Use commas for items that fit well into the sentence, such as defining phrases: Usnavi, my longtime friend from college, recently won the lottery! Parentheses are used for elements of the sentence that don't fit as neatly as commas, such as little asides or clarifications: Usnavi really did win the lottery (after trying for years and years, of course). And finally, dashes do the same thing as parentheses, but with more excitement. You should use dashes to spotlight a certain part of your sentence: Usnavi won the lottery, and then donated his winnings--all 5 million dollars of them--to a local charity.

is the same thing applies when the nonessential elements have "..." around them?

Commas, parentheses, and dashes are the only options when separating a nonessential element from the rest of the sentence. We should never use two semicolons or colons around a nonessential element.

Are non essential elements always Dependent Clauses?

Sometimes they are, and sometimes they aren't. Here's a participle phrase that isn't essential to the meaning of the sentence: The old man, ravaged by disease, still had surprising strength.

can you please give me some more info on this topic

So the SAT will sometimes test you about the punctuation around nonessential phrases, which are phrases whose meanings aren't integral to the logic of the sentence. On the SAT, these phrases will be attached by either commas, dashes, or parentheses to the rest of the sentence. If the phrase starts or finishes the sentence, there's only 1 comma/dash. If its in the middle of the sentence, there are a pair of the same punctuation marks (2 commas, open/closing parentheses, 2 dashes). Here are some examples: Usnavi, my brother from another mother, is an altogether a great human being. Running as if he was being chased by lions, Usnavi sped through the shopping mall last Saturday.

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SAT

Course: SAT > Unit 11

Lesson 3: Writing: Grammar

Nonessential elements | Quick guide

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What are nonessential elements?

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What's on the test?

[Explain]

Tips and strategies

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artemis011235
Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to artemis011235's post “Even though the SAT doesn...”
Even though the SAT doesn't test the minor differences between commas, parentheses, and dashes, when should each of them be used?
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(7 votes)
Answer
- Hecretary Bird
  Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to Hecretary Bird's post “Generally, commas are the...”
  Generally, commas are the most formal, followed by parentheses and then dashes. Use commas for items that fit well into the sentence, such as defining phrases:
  Usnavi, my longtime friend from college, recently won the lottery!
  Parentheses are used for elements of the sentence that don't fit as neatly as commas, such as little asides or clarifications:
  Usnavi really did win the lottery (after trying for years and years, of course).
  And finally, dashes do the same thing as parentheses, but with more excitement. You should use dashes to spotlight a certain part of your sentence:
  Usnavi won the lottery, and then donated his winnings--all 5 million dollars of them--to a local charity.
  Button navigates to signup page
  (29 votes)
Valery Louis
Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to Valery Louis's post “is the same thing applies...”
is the same thing applies when the nonessential elements have "..." around them?
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(5 votes)
Answer
- adam.ghatta
  Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to adam.ghatta's post “Commas, parentheses, and ...”
  Commas, parentheses, and dashes are the only options when separating a nonessential element from the rest of the sentence. We should never use two semicolons or colons around a nonessential element.
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  (11 votes)
hamzzza2001
Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to hamzzza2001's post “I,having an unbearable lo...”
I,having an unbearable love for video games, am really craving to play right now.
hehe
Though is this correct grammatically?
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(4 votes)
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mh09196
Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to mh09196's post “can you please give me so...”
can you please give me some more info on this topic
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(1 vote)
Answer
- Hecretary Bird
  Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to Hecretary Bird's post “So the SAT will sometimes...”
  So the SAT will sometimes test you about the punctuation around nonessential phrases, which are phrases whose meanings aren't integral to the logic of the sentence. On the SAT, these phrases will be attached by either commas, dashes, or parentheses to the rest of the sentence. If the phrase starts or finishes the sentence, there's only 1 comma/dash. If its in the middle of the sentence, there are a pair of the same punctuation marks (2 commas, open/closing parentheses, 2 dashes). Here are some examples:
  Usnavi, my brother from another mother, is an altogether a great human being.
  Running as if he was being chased by lions, Usnavi sped through the shopping mall last Saturday.
  Button navigates to signup page
  (6 votes)
Cheg Tan
Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to Cheg Tan's post “Are non essential element...”
Are non essential elements always Dependent Clauses?
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(2 votes)
Answer
- Hecretary Bird
  Posted 3 years ago. Direct link to Hecretary Bird's post “Sometimes they are, and s...”
  Sometimes they are, and sometimes they aren't. Here's a participle phrase that isn't essential to the meaning of the sentence:
  The old man, ravaged by disease, still had surprising strength.
  Comment on Hecretary Bird's post “Sometimes they are, and s...”
  (3 votes)
ec03107
Posted 2 years ago. Direct link to ec03107's post “Dale Havens, Morgantown's...”
Dale Havens, Morgantown's police commissioner is retiring after 35 years of serving the city.
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(2 votes)
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Doug DeNunzio
Posted 3 days ago. Direct link to Doug DeNunzio's post “Resumes are hard to do wh...”
Resumes are hard to do when the sun of the moon also happens at Summit Camp in Pennsylvania.
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(1 vote)
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MrNun
Posted a year ago. Direct link to MrNun's post “so this is the only way w...”
so this is the only way we use dashes ? what about hyphens ?
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(1 vote)
Answer
- Johanna
  Posted a year ago. Direct link to Johanna's post “Dashes have other uses, w...”
  Dashes have other uses, which you can find in the unit of Khan Academy’s Grammar course called “Hyphens, dashes, and ellipses” if you want.
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  (1 vote)