Comma Usage

Add a comma to the following sentence: 'After the game we went out for pizza.'

• After the game we went, out for pizza.

• After the game, we went out for pizza.

• After the game we, went out for pizza.

• After the game we went out, for pizza.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'After the game, we went out for pizza.' Adding a comma after 'game' separates the two independent clauses.

Which of the following sentences uses a comma correctly in an introductory phrase? A) 'Yesterday I went to the park.' B) 'In the morning I like to drink coffee.' C) 'After school I will go to the store.'

• A) 'Yesterday I went to the park.'

• C) 'After school I will go to the store.'

• D) 'During the weekend I like to relax.'

• B) 'In the morning I like to drink coffee.'

Answer explanation

The sentence 'In the morning I like to drink coffee.' uses a comma correctly in an introductory phrase.

When should a comma be used in a sentence?

• A comma should be used at the end of a sentence

• In a sentence, a comma should be used to separate items in a list, to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence, after an introductory phrase or clause, before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence, and to set off nonessential elements.

• A comma should be used before a subordinating conjunction

• A comma should be used to separate the subject and verb in a sentence

Answer explanation

A comma should be used to separate items in a list, to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence, after an introductory phrase or clause, before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence, and to set off nonessential elements.

Rewrite the following sentence with a comma in the introductory phrase: 'Before the movie started we bought some popcorn.'

• Before, the movie started we bought some popcorn.

• Before the movie started, we bought some popcorn.

• Before the movie, started we bought some popcorn.

• Before the movie started we, bought some popcorn.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Before the movie started, we bought some popcorn.' The comma is placed after the introductory phrase to separate it from the main clause.

Choose the sentence that uses a comma correctly: A) 'During the summer I like to swim in the pool.' B) 'At the zoo we saw lions and tigers.' C) 'After dinner I will do my homework.'

• C) 'After dinner I will do my homework.'

• B) 'At the zoo we saw lions and tigers.'

• B) 'We went to the park and had a picnic.'

• A) 'During the summer I like to swim in the pool.'

Answer explanation

The sentence 'At the zoo we saw lions and tigers.' uses a comma correctly. It separates the two items in a list.

In the sentence 'In the morning I eat breakfast' where should a comma be added?

• after the word 'morning'

• after the word 'eat'

• after the word 'breakfast'

• at the beginning of the sentence

Answer explanation

A comma should be added after the word 'morning' in the sentence 'In the morning I eat breakfast'.

Which of the following sentences uses a comma correctly in an introductory phrase? A) 'Next week I have a test.' B) 'At the store I bought some apples.' C) 'After the game we went home.'

• C) 'After the game we went home.'

• B) 'At the store I bought some apples.'

• A) 'Next week I have a test.'

• D) 'During the party I spilled my drink.'

Answer explanation

The sentence 'After the game we went home.' uses a comma correctly in an introductory phrase.

Add a comma to the following sentence: 'Before we left for the party we cleaned the house.'

• Before we left, for the party we cleaned the house.

• Before we left for the, party we cleaned the house.

• Before we, left for the party we cleaned the house.

• Before, we left for the party we cleaned the house.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'Before, we left for the party we cleaned the house.' Adding a comma after 'Before' separates the introductory phrase from the main clause.

Choose the sentence that uses a comma correctly: A) 'After school I will go to the park.' B) 'During the winter I like to play in the snow.' C) 'At the beach we built sandcastles.'

• A

• B

• D

• C

Answer explanation

The sentence 'At the beach we built sandcastles.' uses a comma correctly because it separates the introductory phrase from the main clause.

Rewrite the following sentence with a comma in the introductory phrase: 'After the concert we went for ice cream.'

• After the concert, we went for ice cream.

• After the concert- we went for ice cream.

• After the concert we went for ice cream.

• After the concert; we went for ice cream.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'After the concert, we went for ice cream.' The comma in the introductory phrase helps to separate the introductory phrase from the main clause.