VBMS Grade 8 Comma Rules Review

Which two sentences are written correctly?

• We ate chicken, rice, carrots.

• We ate chicken, rice, and carrots.

• We ate chicken, rice, and, carrots.

• We ate chicken, rice and carrots.

Answer explanation

The Oxford comma in front of and is optional in items in a series IF the sentence makes sense when you leave it out.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.2C

CCSS.L.5.2A

CCSS.L.7.2A

Which two sentences include the correct use of commas?

• Everyone has lots of jelly beans cupcakes and cookies.

• Everyone has lots of jelly beans, cupcakes, and cookies.

• Everyone has, lots of jelly, beans cupcakes and cookies.

• Everyone has lots of jelly beans, cupcakes and cookies.

Answer explanation

The Oxford comma in front of and is optional in items in a series IF the sentence makes sense when you leave it out.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.2C

CCSS.L.5.2A

CCSS.L.7.2A

Which has the correct comma placement?

• On October 9, 2020 Mrs. Long woke up late.

• On October 9, 2020, Mrs. Long woke up late.

• On October 9 2020 Mrs. Long woke up late.

• On October 9, 2020, Mrs. Long, woke up late.

Answer explanation

In a date, a comma separates the day and year. Another comma goes after the year.

Tags

CCSS.L.2.2B

CCSS.L.3.2B

CCSS.L.3.2C

CCSS.L.4.2B

CCSS.L.6.2A

Choose the sentence that has the comma in the correct place.

• Isn't today your birthday, Tim?

• Isn't, today your birthday Tim?

• Isn't today your birthday Tim?

Answer explanation

In direct address a comma(s) separates the name of the person from the rest of the sentence.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Choose the sentence that has the comma in the correct place.

• Yes I am in that class.

• Yes, I am in that class.

Answer explanation

Introductory words, like transitions, are separated with a comma from the rest of the sentence.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Select the corrected sentence.

• The Kansas Jayhawks won the game, they scored 100 points.

• The Kansas Jayhawks won the game and they scored 100 points.

• The Kansas Jayhawks won the game, and they scored 100 points.

• The Kansas Jayhawks won the game and, they scored 100 points.

Answer explanation

The is a compound sentence. Two independent clauses are joined with a comma and a FANBOYS.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1H

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.5.1E

CCSS.L.7.1B

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

Select the sentence with the correct comma placement.

• As if the text didn't make her blood boil she set the phone down and sipped her coffee.

• As if the text didn't make her blood boil she set the phone down, and sipped her coffee.

• As if, the text didn't make her blood boil she set the phone down and sipped her coffee.

• As if the text didn't make her blood boil, she set the phone down and sipped her coffee.

Answer explanation

This is a complex sentence. The dependent clause is at the beginning of the sentence, so a comma is needed between the independent and dependent clauses.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Select the sentence with the correct comma placement.

• Diana preparing for the haunted maze, put on three layers of clothes.

• Diana, preparing for the haunted maze put on three layers of clothes.

• Diana, preparing for the haunted maze, put on three layers of clothes.

• Diana preparing, for the haunted maze put on, three layers of clothes.

Answer explanation

Perparing for the haunted maze is an interrupting clause, so commas separate it from the rest of the sentence.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

• Jake my black, and white cat, loves to sleep on the couch next to me.

• Jake, my black and white cat, loves to sleep on the couch next to me.

• Jake my black and white cat, loves to sleep on the couch next to me.

• Jake, my black and white cat loves to sleep on the couch next to me.

Answer explanation

My black and white cat is an appositive phrase (it is renaming Jake). This part of the sentence is an interrupter and must be set off by commas.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Which is correct?

• She rode her bike over the long dirt road.

• She rode her bike over the long, dirt road

Answer explanation

If the two adjectives -- long, dirt road -- cannot be put in a different order -- dirt, long road -- then they should not be separated by a comma.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2B

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.5.2B