Comma Quiz

Melissa couldn’t study for her comma quiz, because she was joy riding on the Enterprise with Mr. Spock.

• Should you remove the comma after quiz?

• Or should you keep the comma after quiz?

Answer explanation

"Because" is NOT one of the FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). Therefore, no comma is needed before the word.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

To study for his calculus midterm, Brian drank five cups of strong coffee which kept him wide awake for the all-nighter.

• Should you remove the comma after midterm?

• Or should you add a comma after coffee?

Answer explanation

A comma is usually needed before a dependent clause (a part of a sentence that cannot stand on its own).

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

During lunch, at the campus cafeteria, Mark saw the dirty tables, the overworked staff, and the nasty noodle dish.

• Should you remove the comma after lunch?

• Or should you remove the comma after cashiers?

Answer explanation

"During lunch at the campus cafeteria" is an example of a long introductory phrase.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.2C

CCSS.L.5.2A

CCSS.L.7.2A

Last weekend, Sara washed all her clothes. The dishes, however were piled all over the kitchen counter and in the sink.

• Should you add a comma after however?

• Or should you add a comma after counter?

Answer explanation

In this sentence, "however" is an interrupting word. Therefore, it needs a comma on each side.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Fifteen popcorn kernels, and a few grains of salt littered the front of Todd’s shirt as he slouched in the theater seat.

• Should you remove the comma after kernels?

• Or should you add a comma after uncooked?

Answer explanation

Commas are used in lists that have three or more items.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Swinging at the fast ball, Bobbie heard, the satisfying crack of the home run that he had just hit.

• Should you remove the comma after ball?

• Or should you remove the comma after heard?

Answer explanation

Commas do not automatically get placed after verbs.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

The slimy smelly lettuce on my taco made me ask the manager to return my 99 cents.

• Should you add a comma after slimy?

• Or should you add a comma after taco?

Answer explanation

When there are two adjectives in a row describing the same word, there should either be a comma or a coordinating conjunction placed between them.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Winning the lottery would create more headaches than the money is worth but Amy still buys a ticket every week.

• Should you add a comma after lottery?

• Or should you add a comma after worth?

Answer explanation

Commas are needed BEFORE the coordinating conjunction when there is a complete sentence (subject, verb, and complete thought) on both sides of the conjunction.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Ann removed her glasses, to make the room blurry. If she couldn't see her homework, she could pretend that it didn't exist.

• Should you remove the comma after glasses?

• Or should you remove the comma after homework?

Answer explanation

Commas do not automatically go between nouns and verbs (or because someone might pause there while speaking).

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Sam thought she killed that essay so she expected a good grade. The A on the last page proved that hard work pays off.

• Should you put a comma after essay?

• Or should you put a comma after page?

Answer explanation

There are two complete thoughts in that first sentence! Therefore, a comma is needed before the conjunction.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A