Punctuation, Capitalization, and Commonly-confused Words

Use a comma to offset __________ phrases and words. 

• ultimate

• ending 

• conjunction 

• introductory 

Answer explanation

Use a comma to offset introductory phrases and words, which provide context or background information before the main clause. This helps clarify the sentence structure and improves readability.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Where does the comma go? 
After Madeline died Usher decided to save her body. 

• died,

• Madeline, 

• Usher, 

• her, 

Answer explanation

The comma should be placed after 'died' to separate the introductory clause from the main clause. This clarifies the sentence structure, indicating that Usher's decision follows Madeline's death.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Where does the comma go? 
Before the house fell down the narrator managed to escape. 

• house, 

• fell, 

• down, 

• managed, 

Answer explanation

The comma should be placed before 'down' to separate the introductory clause from the main clause. This clarifies that the narrator escaped before the house fell down.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Where does the comma go? 
Even though the story was written long ago it remains popular with fans of horror. 

• popular, 

• even though, 

• fans, 

• ago, 

Answer explanation

The comma should be placed before 'ago' to separate the dependent clause 'Even though the story was written long ago' from the main clause. This clarifies the sentence structure and improves readability.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Use a comma between three or more items in a ______. 

• semicolon

• comma

• sentence

• list

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'list' because a comma is used to separate three or more items in a list. This is a standard grammatical rule that helps clarify the items being enumerated.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.2C

CCSS.L.5.2A

CCSS.L.7.2A

Where does the comma go? 
Last summer we visited Yosemite Sequoia and Redwood National Parks. 
*Use the Oxford comma here

• Yosemite, Sequoia 

• Yosemite, Sequoia, 

• Yosemite, Sequoia, and Redwood, 

• no commas needed

Answer explanation

The correct placement of the Oxford comma is before the conjunction 'and' in a list. Therefore, the correct choice is 'Yosemite, Sequoia,' which includes a comma after 'Sequoia' to separate it from 'and Redwood National Parks.'

Tags

CCSS.L.1.2C

CCSS.L.5.2A

CCSS.L.7.2A

Where does the comma go? 
"The Fall of the House of Usher" "The Raven" and "The Black Cat" are famous works by Poe. 
*Use the Oxford comma here

• no comma needed 

• Usher," " The Raven," and 

• Usher," "The Raven," and, "The Black

• Usher," "The Raven" and "The Black

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Usher," "The Raven," and'. The Oxford comma is used before the conjunction in a list of three or more items, ensuring clarity. Thus, the comma should be placed after 'Raven'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

FANBOYS are the ____________ conjunctions. 

• coolest

• comma

• subordinating 

• coordinating

Answer explanation

FANBOYS refers to the coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. These conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal importance, making 'coordinating' the correct choice.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.1G

CCSS.L.3.1H

CCSS.L.5.1A

CCSS.L.5.1E

Which are missing? 
For, And, Nor, _____, Or, Yet, ____

• But, So

• Before, Sometimes

• Beans, Soy products

• Best, Superior 

Answer explanation

The sequence lists coordinating conjunctions. The missing words are 'But' and 'So', which fit the pattern of conjunctions used to connect clauses. Thus, the correct answer is 'But, So'.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.1G

CCSS.L.3.1H

CCSS.L.5.1A

CCSS.L.5.1E

Where does the comma go? 
It was cold outside but I had forgotten my sweater. 

• no comma necessary

• it was cold, 

• It was cold outside, 

• I had forgotten, 

Answer explanation

The correct placement of the comma is after "It was cold outside". This separates the two independent clauses, making the sentence clearer. The other options do not correctly punctuate the sentence.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A