ACT Comma Usage Flashcard 1

Front

What is the purpose of using commas in a sentence?

Back

Commas are used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence, to separate items in a list, to set off introductory elements, and to clarify meaning.

Front

Where should a comma be placed in the sentence: 'Noah waxed his impressive mustache to absolute perfection and all of the ladies were impressed'?

Back

After 'perfection'.

Front

What comma rule applies to the sentence: 'The man walked in the snow, ran through the rain, and finally reached his final destination'?

Back

The rule for items in a series.

Front

Where should a comma be placed in the sentence: 'The giant sequoia trees have been growing for hundreds of years but they have not been cut down because the national park system protects them'?

Back

After 'years'.

Front

In the sentence 'An angry tiger a mean lion and a furious zebra ran towards our bus', where should commas be placed?

Back

After 'tiger' and 'lion'.

Front

How do you correctly punctuate the sentence: 'They washed vegetables they baked chicken and they packed a picnic basket'?

Back

They washed vegetables, they baked chicken, and they packed a picnic basket.

Front

What is an example of a compound sentence that requires a comma?

Back

'I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain.'

Front

What is the rule for using commas with coordinating conjunctions?

Back

A comma is used before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) when it connects two independent clauses.

Front

What is the function of a comma in a list?

Back

Commas separate items in a list to clarify that each item is distinct.

Front

When should you use a comma after an introductory phrase?

Back

A comma should be used after an introductory phrase to separate it from the main clause.