Mastering Comma Usage in Writing

Which sentence correctly uses commas in a list?

• I need to buy apples oranges bananas and grapes.

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

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

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

Answer explanation

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

Evelyn wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining. Choose the sentence that correctly separates independent clauses with a comma.

• Evelyn wanted to go for a walk but it started raining.

• Evelyn wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining.

• Evelyn wanted to go for a walk, but, it started raining.

• Evelyn wanted to go for a walk but, it started raining.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'I wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining.' It properly uses a comma before the conjunction 'but' to separate the two independent clauses.

Identify the sentence that correctly sets off an introductory element with a comma.

• After the movie we went out for dinner.

• After the movie, we went out for dinner.

• After, the movie we went out for dinner.

• After the movie we, went out for dinner.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'After the movie, we went out for dinner.' because it properly uses a comma to separate the introductory phrase 'After the movie' from the main clause, enhancing clarity.

Liam is organizing a group project and needs help. Which sentence correctly encloses a direct address with commas?

• Can you, Sarah, help me with this?

• Can you Sarah help me with this?

• Can you, Sarah help me with this?

• Can you Sarah, help me with this?

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'Can you, Sarah, help me with this?' because it properly uses commas to enclose the direct address 'Sarah', indicating that the speaker is directly addressing her.

Emma and Maya were planning a picnic. Select the sentence that correctly uses commas with adjectives to describe their day.

• It was a long, hot, summer day.

• It was a long hot summer day.

• It was a long, hot summer day.

• It was a long hot, summer day.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'It was a long, hot summer day.' because it properly uses commas to separate coordinate adjectives ('long' and 'hot') that equally describe 'summer day'. The other options either misuse or omit necessary commas.

Ethan was born on which correctly punctuated date?

• He was born on July 4 2001.

• He was born on July 4, 2001.

• He was born on July, 4 2001.

• He was born on July 4, 2001,

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'She was born on July 4, 2001.' because a comma is needed between the day and the year in a date format. The other options either omit the comma or have incorrect placement.

Avery is sending a letter. Choose the sentence that correctly punctuates the address.

• The package was sent to 123 Main Street, Springfield, Illinois.

• The package was sent to 123 Main Street Springfield Illinois.

• The package was sent to 123 Main Street, Springfield Illinois.

• The package was sent to 123 Main Street Springfield, Illinois.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'The package was sent to 123 Main Street, Springfield, Illinois.' because it properly uses commas to separate the street, city, and state, ensuring clarity in the address format.

Emma is planning a picnic and needs to pack some food items. Identify the sentence that correctly uses commas in her list.

• Emma packed sandwiches chips and soda.

• Emma packed sandwiches, chips, and soda.

• Emma packed sandwiches chips, and soda.

• Emma packed sandwiches, chips and soda.

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', which clarifies the separation of the last two items.

Avery wanted to stay home, yet she had to go to work.

• Avery wanted to stay home yet she had to go to work.

• Avery wanted to stay home, yet she had to go to work.

• Avery wanted to stay home, yet, she had to go to work.

• Avery wanted to stay home yet, she had to go to work.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'She wanted to stay home, yet she had to go to work.' It properly uses a comma before 'yet' to separate the independent clauses, while the other options either misuse or omit the comma.

Olivia is writing an email to her teacher. Select the sentence that correctly sets off an introductory element with a comma.

• In the morning I like to read the newspaper.

• In the morning, I like to read the newspaper.

• In the morning I, like to read the newspaper.

• In the morning, I like, to read the newspaper.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'In the morning, I like to read the newspaper.' because it properly uses a comma to set off the introductory phrase 'In the morning' from the main clause.