Comma Usage and Functions

What is the primary function of a comma in written text?

• To end a sentence

• To introduce a new paragraph

• To indicate a pause in speech

• To highlight important words

How does the capitalization of the word following a comma generally differ from the word following a full stop?

• The word after a comma is always capitalized, but after a full stop it is lowercase.

• The word after a comma is usually lowercase (except for proper nouns), while after a full stop it is capitalized.

• Both comma and full stop always require the next word to be capitalized.

• Both comma and full stop always require the next word to be lowercase.

I bought apples oranges bananas and grapes at the store.

Choose the answer choice on where the commas would be placed in the sentence.

• a) I bought apples oranges bananas, and grapes at the store.

• I bought apples, oranges, bananas and grapes at the store.

• I bought apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes at the store.

• I bought apples oranges, bananas and grapes at the store.

My best friends are Sarah Miguel Jasmine and Leo.

Choose the answer on where you think the commas should be placed in the sentence above.

• My best friends are Sarah Miguel, Jasmine, and Leo.

• My best friends are Sarah, Miguel, Jasmine, and Leo.

• My best friends are Sarah Miguel, Jasmine and Leo.

• My best friends are Sarah, Miguel Jasmine, and Leo.

Choose the sentence with the commas in the correct places to clarify meaning.

• My brother who lives in Texas is visiting us this week.

• My brother, who lives in Texas, is visiting us this week.

• My brother who lives, in Texas is visiting us this week.

• My brother who lives in Texas, is visiting us this week.

Choose the sentence with the commas in the correct places to clarify meaning.

• Please Mia bring your homework to my desk.

• Please, Mia bring your homework to my desk.

• Please Mia, bring your homework to my desk.

• Please, Mia, bring your homework to my desk.

Choose the sentence with the commas in the correct places for when separating a name.

• Sarah please hand me the notebook.

• Sarah, please hand me the notebook.

• Sarah please, hand me the notebook.

• Sarah please hand, me the notebook.

Choose the sentence with the commas in the correct places when separating the name.

• a) Thanks for your help Carlos.

• Thanks, for your help Carlos.

• Thanks for your help, Carlos.

• Thanks for, your help Carlos.

Choose the sentence with the commas in the correct places with coordinating conjunctions.

• a) He wanted to buy a new video game, but he didn’t have enough money.

• He wanted to buy a new video game but, he didn’t have enough money.

• He wanted, to buy a new video game but he didn’t have enough money.

• He wanted to buy a new video game but he didn’t, have enough money.

Choose the sentence with the commas in the correct places with coordinating conjunctions.

• She studied hard for the test, and she felt confident.

• She studied hard for the test and, she felt confident.

• She studied, hard for the test and she felt confident.

• She studied hard for the test and she, felt confident.