Mastering Commas in Writing

Which of the following sentences correctly uses commas in a list?

• I need to buy apples bananas and oranges.

• I need to buy apples, bananas, and oranges.

• I need to buy apples bananas, and oranges.

• I need to buy, apples, bananas and oranges.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is "I need to buy apples, bananas, and oranges." It properly uses commas to separate items in a list, including the Oxford comma before 'and' for clarity.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.2C

CCSS.L.5.2A

CCSS.L.7.2A

Identify the comma rule used in the following sentence: "After the movie, we went out for dinner."

• Commas in a list

• Commas in dates

• Commas after introductory elements

• Commas in direct address

Answer explanation

The sentence "After the movie, we went out for dinner" uses a comma after the introductory phrase "After the movie." This is a rule for commas after introductory elements, making it the correct choice.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.2.2B

CCSS.L.3.2B

CCSS.L.3.2C

CCSS.L.4.2B

Choose the sentence that correctly separates clauses with a comma.

• She wanted to go to the park but it was raining.

• She wanted to go to the park, but it was raining.

• She wanted to go to the park but, it was raining.

• She wanted, to go to the park but it was raining.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'She wanted to go to the park, but it was raining.' because it properly uses a comma before the conjunction 'but' to separate two independent clauses.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.4.2C

Where should the comma be placed in the following sentence? "On July 4 1776 the Declaration of Independence was signed."

• After "July"

• After "4"

• After "1776"

• After "Independence"

Answer explanation

The correct placement of the comma is after "4" to separate the day from the year in the date. The sentence should read: "On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed." This clarifies the date structure.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.2.2B

CCSS.L.3.2B

CCSS.L.3.2C

CCSS.L.4.2B

Which sentence correctly uses a comma in direct address?

• Let's eat grandma.

• Let's eat, grandma.

• Let's, eat grandma.

• Let's eat grandma,

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'Let's eat, grandma.' because the comma indicates that 'grandma' is being directly addressed, clarifying that we are inviting her to eat, not suggesting we eat her.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.4.2C

Identify the comma splice in the following sentences.

• I went to the store, I bought some milk.

• I went to the store and bought some milk.

• I went to the store; I bought some milk.

• I went to the store. I bought some milk.

Answer explanation

The sentence "I went to the store, I bought some milk." contains a comma splice because it incorrectly joins two independent clauses with just a comma. The other options use correct punctuation or conjunctions.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.4.2C

Which of the following sentences correctly uses commas in a list?

• For breakfast, I had eggs toast and juice.

• For breakfast, I had eggs, toast, and juice.

• For breakfast, I had eggs toast, and juice.

• For breakfast, I had, eggs, toast and juice.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'For breakfast, I had eggs, toast, and juice.' It properly uses commas to separate items in a list, including the Oxford comma before 'and juice' for clarity.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.2C

CCSS.L.5.2A

CCSS.L.7.2A

Choose the sentence that correctly separates clauses with a comma.

• I wanted to call you but I forgot.

• I wanted to call you, but I forgot.

• I wanted to call you but, I forgot.

• I wanted, to call you but I forgot.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'I wanted to call you, but I forgot.' because it properly uses a comma before the conjunction 'but' to separate two independent clauses.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.4.2C

Where should the comma be placed in the following sentence? "On December 25 2020 we celebrated Christmas."

• After "December"

• After "25"

• After "2020"

• After "celebrated"

Answer explanation

The correct placement of the comma is after '25' to separate the day from the year in the date. The sentence should read: 'On December 25, 2020, we celebrated Christmas.' This clarifies the date structure.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.2.2B

CCSS.L.3.2B

CCSS.L.3.2C

CCSS.L.4.2B

Which sentence correctly uses a comma in direct address?

• Please sit down John.

• Please sit down, John.

• Please, sit down John.

• Please sit, down John.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'Please sit down, John.' because it properly uses a comma to separate the direct address 'John' from the rest of the sentence, indicating that the speaker is directly speaking to John.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.2A

CCSS.L.4.2C