Commas Pretest

Front

What is a comma?

Back

A comma is a punctuation mark used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence or to separate items in a list.

Front

When should commas be used in a list?

Back

Commas should be used to separate three or more items in a list to clarify the items.

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 dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a sentence and usually begins with a subordinating conjunction.

Front

What is the difference between essential and nonessential phrases?

Back

Essential phrases provide necessary information to the meaning of a sentence, while nonessential phrases can be removed without changing the sentence's meaning.

Front

How do you punctuate a sentence with an introductory clause?

Back

A comma is used after an introductory clause to separate it from the main clause.

Front

What is the purpose of using commas in direct address?

Back

Commas are used in direct address to separate the name or title of the person being spoken to from the rest of the sentence.

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

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

Front

How do you use commas with coordinating conjunctions?

Back

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

Front

What is a series of adjectives?

Back

A series of adjectives is a group of two or more adjectives that describe the same noun, separated by commas.