Comma Rules

According to the comma rules, when should you use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so) in a compound sentence?

• When it joins two independent clauses in a compound sentence.

• When it joins two dependent clauses in a sentence.

• When it appears at the beginning of a sentence.

• When it separates items in a simple list.

Which sentence correctly uses a comma before a coordinating conjunction?

• He hit the ball well but he ran toward third base.

• He hit the ball well, but he ran toward third base.

• He hit the ball well but, he ran toward third base.

According to the comma rules, when should you use a comma to separate elements in a list or series?

• When there are three or more things, including the last two things (Oxford comma).

• Only when there are exactly two things in the list.

• When separating adjectives that describe the same noun.

• Only before the first item in a list.

Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate elements in a list?

• He hit the ball, dropped the bat and ran to first base.

• He hit the ball dropped the bat, and ran to first base.

• He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and ran to first base.

After which types of introductory elements should you use a comma, according to the comma rules?

• After an introductory word, phrase, or clause.

• After every verb in a sentence.

• After the last word in a sentence.

• After a proper noun only.

Which sentence correctly uses a comma after an introductory clause?

• When he was running toward third base he suddenly tripped and fell.

• When he was running toward third base, he suddenly tripped and fell.

• When he was running, toward third base he suddenly tripped and fell.

What is an appositive, according to the comma rules?

Which sentence correctly uses commas to set off an appositive?

• Jeremy my cousin just moved to Florida.

• Jeremy, my cousin, just moved to Florida.

• Jeremy my cousin, just moved to Florida.

According to the comma rules, when should you use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives?

• When the adjectives modify a noun in the same way.

• When the adjectives are of different types.

• When the adjectives are separated by 'and'.

• When the adjectives come after the noun.

Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate coordinate adjectives?

• That tall distinguished happy fellow is giving the physics lecture.

• That tall, distinguished, happy fellow is giving the physics lecture.

• That tall distinguished, happy fellow is giving the physics lecture.