Commas on the SAT

​Commas on the SAT

Commas are used:

1) After introductory phrases.

At the theater, I saw a Shakespeare's "Macbeth" for the first time.

2) Before coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS)

I wanted to help you, but they wouldn't let me

3) to separate 2 or more items or ideas

The camp counselor distributed baseballs, bats, and basketballs to all the campers.

4) to add additional (interrupting information)

Edgar Allen Poe, the famous horror writer,died from unknown causes.

​Comma Use on the SAT

Here is what an introductory phrase looks like

What is an Introductory Phrase?

• An introductory phrase uses the subordinating conjunctions on the left (ABBI SAW a WUWU words)

• the phrase briefly introduces the main idea.

​​When the severe spring thunderstorm ended, the sky turned gold.

Because I was the captain of the team, I was nominated for Prom King.

If I studied more, I would have passed the final exam in psychology.

Before we went on Christmas break, we had a silent party at school

Drag and Drop

Because I was late for the first day of school ​

Placeholder

I had to sit in the back.

I was late for the first day of school ​

Placeholder

I had to sit in the back of the class.

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

,

; consequently,

Multiple Choice

Which option uses the comma correctly with the introductory phrase?

• A. Before you go to class make sure your homework is done.

• B. Before you go to class make, sure your homework is done.

• C. Before you go to class, make sure your homework is done.

• D. Before you go to class, make sure, your homework is done.

Multiple Choice

Which option uses the comma correctly with the introductory phrase?

• Although we reviewed the film twice before we never, noticed the precise details about the shooting.

• Although we reviewed the film twice, we never noticed the precise details about the shooting.

• Although, we reviewed the film twice, we never noticed the precise details about the shooting.

• Although we had reviewed the film twice before we never noticed the precise details about the shooting

Multiple Choice

If employees find themselves falling behind in the workplace, these critics contend. Then it is the duty of those employees to identify and even pay them.

• A. NO CHANGE

• B. contend; then

• C. contend, then

• D. contend then

Multiple Choice

While fare-free policies do increase ridership, but they have not been found to be an effective way to address traffic problems.

• A. NO CHANGE

• B. ridership,

• C. ridership but,

• ridership but

Multiple Choice

Because digital systems record indiscriminately; they cannot discern important parts of the proceedings from other noises in the courtroom.

• A. NO CHANGE

• record indiscriminately, they cannot discern

• record, indiscriminately they cannot discern

• record indiscriminately they, cannot discern

Open Ended

Write 2 sentences that start with an introductory phrase. Include a COMMA in each of your sentences. (USE ABBI SAW A WUWU Words)

Examples: When I took the SAT several years ago, I understood most of the concepts.

Since I did not study for the test, I received a low score.

Rule #2: Commas with FANBOY Conjunctions

​Caveat means a warning or limitation

Dropdown

He can buy the book

Select answer

he can borrow it from the library.

The project was difficult ​

Select answer

worth the effort.

They spoke to him in English​

Select answer

he responded in English.

She goes to the beach to relax​

Select answer

she takes her dog, Coco to get exercise.

Multiple Choice

Which answer correctly uses a comma?

• A. Learning can be invigorating yet, it can also be very exhausting

• B. Learning can be invigorating yet it can also be very exhausting

• C. Learning can be invigorating, yet it can also be very exhausting

• D. Learning can be invigorating; yet it can also be very exhausting

Multiple Choice

Which answer correctly uses a comma?

• The first test did not yield significant results, nor did it contribute to the study.

• The first test did not yield significant results nor, did it contribute to the study.

• The first test did not yield, significant results ,nor did it contribute to the study.

• The first test did not yield significant results, nor, did it contribute to the study.

Multiple Choice

Which option correctly uses a COMMA

• Alice drank tea but, the Dormouse simply closed his eyes, rolled over, and went back to sleep.

• Alice drank tea but the Dormouse, simply closed his eyes, rolled over, and went back to sleep.

• Alice drank tea but the Dormouse simply closed his eyes rolled over, and went back to sleep.

• Alice drank tea , but the Dormouse, simply closed his eyes, rolled over, and went back to sleep.

Rule #3: Commas to separate 2 or more items or ideas

Multiple Choice

MARK THE CORRECT ANSWER

After the college student attended class, she made herself Ramen noodles, lit a candle, and turned on Netflix.

• A. NO CHANGE

• B. After the college student attended class, she made herself Ramen noodles lit a candle, and turned on Netflix.

• C. After the college student attended class, she made herself Ramen noodles lit a candle and turned on Netflix.

• D.After the college student attended class, she made herself Ramen noodles lit a candle, and turned on Netflix.

Multiple Choice

My best friend Ally is an avid reader enjoys competing in races, traveling around the world, and eating unique cuisine.

• A. NO CHANGE

• Ally is an avid reader, enjoys competing in races, traveling around the world, and eating

• Ally is an avid reader, enjoys competing in races traveling around, the world, and eating

• Ally is an avid reader and enjoys competing in races traveling around the world and eating

Multiple Choice

MARK THE CORRECT ANSWER

In August 2013, the archaeologists discovered thousands of objects in a single fifteen-foot stretch that was likely a garbage disposal site, including buttons war uniforms clay pipes, and an imported water bottle.

• A. NO CHANGE

• buttons, war, uniforms clay pipes, and an imported water bottle.

• buttons, war uniforms clay pipes, and an imported water bottle.

• buttons war uniforms, clay pipes, and, an imported water bottle.

Rule #4: Use TWO commas to add additional information

Rule #4: Use TWO commaS to add descriptive information

Multiple Choice

MARK THE CORRECT ANSWER

The man at the front of the line, scientist John Willard, wouldn't stop complaining about the rain.

• A. NO CHANGE

• B. front of the line scientist John Willard,

• C. front of the line scientist, John Willard

• front of the line scientist, John Willard

Multiple Choice

MARK THE CORRECT ANSWER

Great white sharks the most fearsome creatures of the sea, are actually less dangerous than they appear.

• A. NO CHANGE

• sharks the most fearsome, creatures of the sea, are

• sharks, the most fearsome creatures of the sea, are

• sharks the most, fearsome creatures of the sea, are

Multiple Choice

Celebrity Jamie Oliver who owns several restaurants in the United States and around the world, is known for his knowledge of Italian cuisine.

• Jamie Oliver who owns several restaurants in the United States and around the world, is

• Jamie Oliver who owns several restaurants, in the United States, and around, the world is,

• Jamie Oliver, who owns several restaurants in the United States and around the world, is

• Jamie Oliver who owns several restaurants in the United States, and around the world is

Multiple Choice

MARK THE CORRECT ANSWER

The chief surgeon, an expert in organ transplant procedures took her nephew on a hospital tour.

• A. NO CHANGE

• B. The chief surgeon, an expert in, organ transplant procedures, took

• C. The chief surgeon an expert, in organ transplant procedures, took

• D. The chief surgeon, an expert in organ transplant procedures, took

Open Ended

Write a sentence about your friend that adds additional information and uses two commas.

Example: Gianna, one of the brightest students in the class, was an exemplary role model.