Comma Rules Practice

Front

What is the purpose of using commas in a sentence?

Back

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

Front

When should you use a comma before a conjunction?

Back

A comma should be used before a conjunction (like 'and', 'but', 'or') when it connects two independent clauses.

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence, containing a subject and a verb.

Front

What is a list comma?

Back

A list comma is used to separate items in a series, such as in 'apples, oranges, and bananas'.

Front

What is the Oxford comma?

Back

The Oxford comma is the final comma in a list of items, placed before 'and' or 'or' (e.g., 'apples, oranges, and bananas'). Its use is often debated.

Front

How do you punctuate a quote within a sentence?

Back

When punctuating a quote within a sentence, commas are used to separate the quote from the rest of the sentence, as in: 'He said, "Hello."'

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses joined by a conjunction.

Front

When should you not use a comma?

Back

Do not use a comma when connecting two items in a simple series or when the clauses are not independent.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and usually begins with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., 'because', 'although').

Front

How do commas affect sentence clarity?

Back

Commas help clarify meaning by indicating pauses and separating ideas, which can prevent misreading.