Between 2020 and 2023, the term “essential worker” was used throughout the United States. Doctors, nurses, firefighters, police, grocery stores, delivery services, retail establishments, agriculture and other essential industries are all labeled essential workers. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division protects the workplace rights of essential workers.
In English comma usage, there is the “non-essential worker.” The phrase that is interesting but does not change the main point of the sentence. These non-essential phrases do not offer vital information to the sentence. For instance:
- His grandfather went to the hospital, while singing Taylor Swift, and picked up Grandma.
- The principal, while wearing a yellow suit, sang the National Anthem before the football game.
- His brother, even though it was Tuesday night, updated the computer.
- The administration, all hired by the Governor, changed the hours of all part-time workers.
Most people who were born in the United States and attended elementary school in the United States have been familiar with this rule for a long time. Very often, elementary school teachers teach this common rule first in the United States. The non-essential phrase is relatively easy to see and hear as people learn English grammar rules. By reading these sentences out loud, people can employ their ears, eyes and mouth as they learn grammar and punctuation.
-Submitted by Brian Harrell, Writing Center specialist