commas

In the sentence, "Because it was raining, we decided to watch a movie," which comma rule is being used?

• To separate items in a series

• To set off an introductory clause or phrase

• To separate coordinate adjectives

• To set off a nonrestrictive element

Answer explanation

The correct answer is B. The comma is used to separate the introductory dependent clause 'Because it was raining' from the main independent clause 'we decided to watch a movie.' This rule improves clarity. Option A is incorrect because there is no list of items. Option C is incorrect as there are no coordinate adjectives. Option D is incorrect because the introductory clause is essential to the sentence's full meaning, not extra information.

Which option best combines the following two sentences using a comma and a coordinating conjunction?
The team practiced hard. They still lost the championship game.

• The team practiced hard, so they still lost the championship game.

• The team practiced hard, but they still lost the championship game.

• The team practiced hard they still lost the championship game.

• Because the team practiced hard, they still lost the championship game.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is B. A comma followed by a coordinating conjunction (like 'but') is used to connect two independent clauses. The word 'but' correctly shows the contrast between the two ideas. Option A uses 'so,' which illogically suggests the loss was a result of practicing hard. Option D uses a subordinating conjunction, which changes the sentence structure and relationship between the ideas.

Identify the sentence that contains an error in comma usage.

• If you finish your homework, you can go outside.

• The dog, a golden retriever, wagged its tail happily.

• I wanted to go to the beach, but it was too cold.

• My friend who lives in Texas, is visiting next week.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is D. The clause 'who lives in Texas' is essential (restrictive) to identify which friend is being discussed, so it should not be set off by a comma. The comma after 'Texas' incorrectly separates the complete subject from its verb 'is visiting.' The other options are correct: A uses a comma after an introductory clause, B sets off an appositive, and C joins two independent clauses.

Complete the sentence by inserting a comma in the correct place:
While my dad was cooking dinner ___ I set the table for our family.

• dinner, I

• cooking, dinner

• table, for

• No comma is needed.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is A. A comma is needed after an introductory dependent clause. The clause 'While my dad was cooking dinner' introduces the main part of the sentence. Placing a comma after 'cooking' (B) would incorrectly separate the verb from its object, and placing one after 'table' (C) would separate the verb from its prepositional phrase.

Which sentence is restructured correctly for proper comma use from the original idea: The movie was long and boring so I fell asleep.

• The movie was long, and boring, so I fell asleep.

• The movie was long and boring, so I fell asleep.

• The movie was long, and boring so I fell asleep.

• The movie, was long and boring so, I fell asleep.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is B. A comma should be placed before a coordinating conjunction (like 'so') that connects two independent clauses. 'The movie was long and boring' and 'I fell asleep' are both independent clauses (complete thoughts). Option A incorrectly places a comma between the coordinate adjectives 'long' and 'boring' and also after 'boring', which is wrong.

Which sentence demonstrates an incorrect use of a comma between a subject and its verb?

• The cat, which had been sleeping all day, finally woke up.

• All of the students in my science class, passed the final exam.

• Running through the park, the dog chased a squirrel.

• My brother, a skilled mechanic, fixed the car easily.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is B. A comma should not be placed between a subject and its verb. In this sentence, 'All of the students in my science class' is the complete subject and 'passed' is the verb; the comma incorrectly separates them. In option A and D, the commas correctly set off a non-essential clause and an appositive, which are acceptable interruptions.

To imply that *all* the team's players are talented, how should the sentence be punctuated?
The team's players ___ who are all very talented ___ are confident about winning.

• players who are all very talented are

• players, who are all very talented, are

• players who are all very talented, are

• players, who are all very talented are

Answer explanation

The correct answer is B. Using commas to set off the clause 'who are all very talented' makes it nonrestrictive. This means it's extra information about all the players. Option A, without commas, would create a restrictive clause, implying that only the talented players (and not others) are confident, which contradicts the prompt's goal.

In the sentence, "The old house, which has been abandoned for years, is rumored to be haunted," what is the nonrestrictive element?

• The old house

• is rumored to be haunted

• which has been abandoned for years

• which has been abandoned

Answer explanation

The correct answer is C. The clause 'which has been abandoned for years' is nonrestrictive because it provides extra, non-essential information and is set off by commas. The sentence still makes sense without it: 'The old house is rumored to be haunted.' Option D is only a partial clause and is therefore incorrect.

Context: You have only one sister. Which sentence correctly reflects this fact?

• My sister, an accomplished surgeon, lives in Chicago.

• My sister an accomplished surgeon lives in Chicago.

• My sister, an accomplished surgeon lives in Chicago.

• My sister who is an accomplished surgeon, lives in Chicago.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is A. Since you only have one sister, the information 'an accomplished surgeon' is an appositive phrase that adds extra, non-essential information. Nonrestrictive elements like this must be fully set off by commas. Option B lacks necessary commas, while C and D are missing one of the two required commas.

To clarify that you are speaking to Maria and telling her to help Ben, how should this sentence be punctuated?
Maria ___ help Ben.

• Maria, help

• Maria help,

• No comma is needed.

• Maria; help

Answer explanation

The correct answer is A. A comma is used to set off a direct address (the name of the person being spoken to). In this case, the speaker is talking directly to Maria. Option C would imply that a person named Maria is the one who helps Ben. Option D incorrectly uses a semicolon, which is typically used to connect two independent clauses.