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 you use commas in a list?

Back

Use commas to separate three or more items in a list. For example: 'I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.'

Front

What is an essential clause?

Back

An essential clause provides information that is necessary to understand the meaning of a sentence. It cannot be removed without changing the sentence's meaning.

Front

What is a nonessential clause?

Back

A nonessential clause adds extra information to a sentence but can be removed without changing the sentence's overall meaning.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It relies on an independent clause to provide context.

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. It contains a subject and a verb.

Front

How do you punctuate a sentence with a dependent clause?

Back

If a dependent clause comes before an independent clause, use a comma to separate them. For example: 'Before the game started, the players warmed up.'

Front

What is the purpose of commas in direct address?

Back

Use commas to separate the name of a person being addressed from the rest of the sentence. For example: 'Can you help me, Sarah?'.

Front

How do you use commas with coordinating conjunctions?

Back

Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) when it connects two independent clauses. For example: 'I wanted to go, but it was raining.'

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon.