Understanding Commas with Clauses

What is a clause?

• A group of words without a subject and verb

• A punctuation mark

• A group of words with a subject and verb

• A single word

Which of the following is an independent clause?

• After the rain stopped

• Because she was late

• If he calls

• I went to the store

When should a comma be used with independent clauses?

• When they are joined by a coordinating conjunction

• When they are not related

• When they are at the beginning of a sentence

• When they are at the end of a sentence

Which sentence correctly uses a comma with independent clauses?

• I like tea and I like coffee.

• I like tea, and I like coffee.

• I like tea and, I like coffee.

• I like tea, and like coffee.

What is the rule for using commas with dependent clauses that come before independent clauses?

• Always use a comma

• Never use a comma

• Use a comma to separate them

• Use a comma only if the sentence is long

Identify the correct sentence with a dependent clause before an independent clause.

• Because it was raining I stayed inside.

• Because it was raining, I stayed inside.

• I stayed inside, because it was raining.

• I stayed inside because it was raining.

When a dependent clause follows an independent clause, what is the rule for comma usage?

• Always use a comma

• Use a comma if the dependent clause is important

• Never use a comma

• Use a comma if the sentence is long

Choose the sentence that correctly omits a comma with a dependent clause following an independent clause.

• I went home because, I was tired.

• Because I was tired, I went home.

• I went home because I was tired.

• I went home, because I was tired.

In the sentence 'She studied hard but she still didn't pass the exam,' where should the comma be placed?

• No comma needed

• After 'hard'

• After 'but'

• After 'she'

Which sentence correctly uses a comma with a dependent clause?

• We will cancel, the picnic if it rains.

• If it rains we will cancel the picnic.

• If it rains, we will cancel the picnic.

• We will cancel the picnic, if it rains.