Comma Placement

Imagine you're a secret agent and you've intercepted a message. Which of these sentences uses commas correctly, helping you decode the message?

Hint: Remember, in a list of three or more items, a comma should be used after each item except the last one.

• 
  The students are required to bring, their textbooks, pencils and Zip disks to class.

• The students are required to bring their textbooks, pencils, and Zip disks to class.

• 
  The students are required to bring their textbooks pencils and Zip disks to class.

• The students are required to bring their textbooks, pencils and Zip disks to class.

  
  

Tags

CCSS.L.1.2C

CCSS.L.5.2A

CCSS.L.7.2A

Ready for a fun grammar challenge? Can you spot the sentence that uses commas correctly? Here's a hint: In English, a comma is often used to separate two independent clauses that are connected by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

• The war is finally over and, all of the troops will be coming home.

  
  

• The war is finally over, and all of the troops will be coming home.

• The war is finally over and all of the troops will be coming home.

  
  

• The war is finally over and all of the troops will be coming, home.

  
  

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Ready for a fun grammar challenge? Can you spot the sentence that uses commas correctly? Here's a hint: In English grammar, a comma is often used to separate two independent clauses or to indicate a pause in the sentence.

• Whatever the word was, was the reason he got confused.

• Whatever the word, was was the reason he got confused.

• Whatever the word was was the reason he got confused.

• Whatever the word was was the reason, he got confused.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Imagine you're a detective and you've intercepted a letter. Which of these sentences from the letter uses commas correctly?

Hint: Remember, commas are used to separate elements in a sentence, including cities and states.

• The man said he grew up in Richmond, Va., and would like to go back.

• The man said he grew up in Richmond, Va. and would like to go back.

• The man said he grew up in Richmond Va. and would like to go back.

• The man said, he grew up in Richmond, Va., and would like to go back.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Imagine you're a detective and you've to find out which of these sentences is using commas correctly. Can you solve the mystery?

Hint: Remember, a comma is used to separate clauses or items in a list. It is not typically used before a quotation unless it separates two independent clauses.

• The car crash survivor said she lived, only because she “was wearing a seatbelt.”

  
  

• The car crash survivor said she lived only because she, “was wearing a seatbelt.”

  
  

• The car crash survivor said she lived only because she “was wearing a seatbelt.”

• The car crash survivor said, she lived only because she “was wearing a seatbelt.”

  
  

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Ready for a fun grammar challenge? Can you spot the sentence that uses commas correctly? Here's a hint: Commas are often used to separate a clause or phrase that provides additional information about something mentioned earlier in the sentence.

• The museum had many, remarkable holdings including a Picasso.

• The museum had many remarkable holdings including a Picasso.

• The museum had many remarkable holdings, including a Picasso.

• The museum had many, remarkable holdings, including a Picasso.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.4.2B

CCSS.L.5.2B

Hey there, grammar guru! Can you spot the sentence that's using commas like a pro? Here's a hint: In English, commas are often used to separate clauses or to set off a direct address or introductory element.

• Option 1: I would have to say, frankly that I don’t agree.

  
  

• Option 2: I would have to say frankly that I don’t agree.

  
  

• Option 3: I would have to say, frankly, that I don’t agree.

  
  

• Option 4: I would have to say frankly that, I don’t agree.

  
  

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Ready for a fun grammar challenge? Can you spot the sentence that uses commas correctly? Here's a hint: In a simple sentence, commas are not usually used to separate the subject from the predicate.

• She has a lovely, summer cabin up north.

  
  

• She has a lovely summer cabin up north.

  
  

• She has, a lovely summer cabin up north.

  
  

• She has, a lovely, summer cabin up north.

  
  

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Ready for a fun grammar challenge? Can you spot the sentence that uses commas correctly? Here's a hint: Commas are often used to separate a clause in a sentence.

• The president’s chief spokesman, who plans to take a job in the private sector, was often on national television.

• The president’s chief spokesman who plans to take a job in the private sector was often on, national television.

• The president’s chief spokesman who plans to take a job in the private sector was often on national television.

• The president’s chief spokesman who plans to take a job, in the private sector, was often on national television.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Ready for a fun punctuation challenge? Can you spot the sentence that uses commas correctly? Here's a hint: In English, a comma is often used to separate different parts of a sentence or to indicate a pause. It's not usually placed after the subject of a sentence.

• Imagine this: At the beginning of the game the score, is always tied.

• Picture this: At the beginning, of the game, the score is always tied.

• Think about this: At the beginning of the game the score is always tied.

• Consider this: At the beginning of the game, the score is always tied.

  
  

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A