Which sentence uses a comma in a way that is considered contested usage?

Question

Select two correct answers.

(1 point)
Responses

Faith, Millie's best friend from summer camp, is coming to visit in a few weeks.
Faith, Millie's best friend from summer camp, is coming to visit in a few weeks.

Stephen did not understand the question, and so Gina tried to explain it to him more clearly.
Stephen did not understand the question, and so Gina tried to explain it to him more clearly.

Winston Churchill famously said, "It is not in our power to anticipate our destiny."
Winston Churchill famously said, "It is not in our power to anticipate our destiny."

We are passing through New Orleans, Louisiana right before we stop in Houston, Texas.
We are passing through New Orleans, Louisiana right before we stop in Houston, Texas.

Zagreb, Sarajevo, and Dubrovnik are all major cities in the Balkan region of eastern Europe.

Answer 1

The two sentences that use a comma in a way that is considered contested usage are:

1. Stephen did not understand the question, and so Gina tried to explain it to him more clearly.

   • The comma before "and so" is often considered optional; some style guides suggest that it may not be necessary.

2. We are passing through New Orleans, Louisiana right before we stop in Houston, Texas.

   • The comma after "Louisiana" is often debated as it separates a city from its state. Many style guides recommend using a comma before the state name, but some may choose to omit it for brevity or clarity.

The other sentences use commas that are generally accepted according to standard punctuation rules.