Mastering Commas: A Comprehensive Guide for Clear Writing

Question 1

Which sentence contains a correctly placed comma to separate items in a list?

Accepted Answer

The store sells apples, bananas, and oranges.

Answer

I went to the store to buy milk eggs, and bread.

Answer

My favorite colors are red, orange and yellow.

Answer

I have a dog, two cats and a hamster.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

The store sells apples, oranges, and bananas.

Answer

The store sells apples oranges and bananas.

Answer

The store sells apples, oranges and bananas.

Answer

The store sells apples,oranges and bananas.

Question 3

Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence?

Accepted Answer

The rain poured down, and the wind howled.

Answer

The rain poured down and the wind howled.

Answer

The rain poured down but the wind howled.

Answer

The rain poured down; the wind howled.

Question 4

Which sentence correctly uses commas to set off a nonessential clause?

Accepted Answer

The book, which I bought yesterday, is very interesting.

Answer

The book which I bought yesterday is very interesting.

Answer

The book I bought yesterday is very interesting.

Question 5

Which sentence contains an incorrect use of a comma?

Accepted Answer

My favorite color is green, and blue.

Answer

I bought milk, eggs, and bread at the store.

Answer

The book, which was on the table, was very old.

Question 6

Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of a comma to introduce a quotation?

Accepted Answer

The teacher said, "Please open your books."

Answer

The teacher said please open your books.

Answer

The teacher said "Please open your books."

Answer

The teacher said, "Please, open your books"

Question 7

When should you use a comma to separate two adjectives that come before a noun?

Accepted Answer

When the adjectives are coordinate adjectives

Answer

When the adjectives are possessive adjectives

Answer

When the adjectives are descriptive adjectives

Answer

When the adjectives are demonstrative adjectives

Question 8

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to separate a direct address?

Accepted Answer

Excuse me, sir, could you help me?

Answer

Excuse me sir could you help me?

Answer

Excuse me, sir could you help me?

Answer

Excuse me sir, could you help me?

Question 9

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to separate a parenthetical expression?

Accepted Answer

The car, which was red, was parked in the driveway.

Answer

The car which was red was parked in the driveway.

Answer

The car, which was, red was parked in the driveway.

Question 10

When should a comma be used to separate a series of coordinate adjectives?

Accepted Answer

When the adjectives are not joined by a conjunction

Answer

When the adjectives are joined by a conjunction

Answer

When the adjectives are all descriptive adjectives

Question 11

Identify the sentence that uses commas correctly to separate items in a list:

Accepted Answer

Bring apples, oranges, and bananas to the picnic.

Answer

Bring apples oranges, and bananas, to the picnic.

Answer

Bring apples, oranges and bananas to the picnic.

Question 12

Select the sentence that uses commas correctly to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence:

Accepted Answer

The weather was nice, so we went to the park.

Answer

The weather was nice so, we went to the park.

Answer

The weather was nice; so we went to the park.

Question 13

Which sentence uses commas correctly to set off a nonessential clause?

Accepted Answer

The dog, which was very friendly, wagged its tail.

Answer

The dog, which was, very friendly wagged its tail.

Answer

The dog which, was very friendly, wagged its tail.

Answer

The dog which was very friendly, wagged its tail.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a use of commas?

Accepted Answer

Separating main clauses in a complex sentence

Answer

Separating items in a list

Answer

Separating independent clauses in a compound sentence

Question 15

Choose the sentence that is punctuated correctly:

Accepted Answer

The meeting, scheduled for tomorrow, has been postponed.

Answer

The meeting which, was scheduled for tomorrow, has been postponed.

Answer

The meeting which was scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed.

Question 16

When should you use a comma to separate two independent clauses?

Accepted Answer

When they are joined by a coordinating conjunction (like and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet)

Answer

When they are separated by a colon

Answer

When they are separated by a semicolon

Answer

When they are joined by a subordinating conjunction

Question 17

What is the primary purpose of using commas in a sentence?

Accepted Answer

To separate and clarify different elements, making the sentence easier to read and understand.

Answer

To make the sentence sound more formal

Answer

To add emphasis to certain words

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

I went to the store to buy apples, oranges, and bananas.

Answer

I went to the store to buy apples, oranges and bananas.

Answer

I went to the store to buy apples and oranges, bananas.

Answer

I went to the store and bought apples, oranges, and bananas.

Question 19

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence?

Accepted Answer

I went to the store, and I bought some groceries.

Answer

I went to the store, I bought some groceries.

Answer

I went to the store. I bought some groceries.

Answer

I went to the store and I bought some groceries.

Question 20

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to set off a nonessential clause?

Accepted Answer

The cat, which was sleeping on the couch, purred loudly.

Answer

The cat who was sleeping on the couch purred loudly.

Answer

The cat, was sleeping on the couch and purred loudly.

Answer

The cat was sleeping on the couch, purred loudly.

Question 21

Which of the following sentences does NOT have a comma error?

Accepted Answer

The dog, who was barking at the mailman, ran into the house.

Answer

The dog who was barking at, the mailman ran into the house.

Answer

The dog, who was barking, at the mailman ran into the house.

Answer

The dog who was barking at the mailman ran into the house.

Question 22

Which of the following is the correct way to use a comma in a date?

Accepted Answer

March 8, 2023

Answer

March 8th 2023

Answer

March 8 2023

Answer

March 8th, 2023

Question 23

Which of the following is the correct way to use a comma in a salutation?

Accepted Answer

Dear Mr. Smith,

Answer

Dear Mr Smith

Answer

Dear Mr.Smith,

Answer

Dear Mr Smith,

Question 24

Which of the following is the correct way to use a comma in a closing?

Accepted Answer

Sincerely,

Answer

Sincerely.

Answer

Sincerely

Answer

sincerely,

Question 25

Which of the following sentences has a comma splice?

Accepted Answer

I went to the store and I bought some groceries.

Answer

I went to the store, and I bought some groceries.

Answer

I went to the store, but I didn't buy any groceries.

Answer

I went to the store because I needed some groceries.

Question 26

Which of the following sentences correctly uses commas to separate items in a list?

Accepted Answer

I brought apples, oranges, and bananas to the picnic.

Answer

I brought apples and oranges; bananas to the picnic.

Answer

I brought apples, oranges and bananas to the picnic.

Question 27

Which of the following sentences correctly uses a comma to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence?

Accepted Answer

The dog chased the ball, and the cat chased the mouse.

Answer

The dog chased the ball and the cat chased the mouse.

Answer

The dog chased the ball, so the cat chased the mouse.

Question 28

Which of the following sentences correctly uses a comma to separate a nonessential clause?

Accepted Answer

The old car, which had been sitting in the driveway for years, was finally sold.

Answer

The old car, that had been sitting in the driveway for years, was finally sold.

Answer

The old car which had been sitting in the driveway for years was finally sold

Question 29

Which of the following sentences correctly uses commas to separate items in a series, independent clauses in a compound sentence, and nonessential clauses?

Accepted Answer

The students, who had studied hard for the test, were excited to get their results, and they celebrated by going out for pizza.

Answer

The students who had studied hard for the test were excited to get their results and they celebrated going out for pizza.

Question 30

Which of the following is a rule for using commas?

Accepted Answer

Use a comma to separate items in a series of three or more.

Answer

Use a comma before every conjunction.

Answer

Use a comma to separate every noun in a sentence.

Answer

Use a comma to separate every prepositional phrase.

Question 31

Which of the following sentences demonstrates the correct use of a comma to prevent misreading?

Accepted Answer

Let's eat, Grandpa!

Answer

Lets eat Grandpa!

Answer

Let's, eat Grandpa!

Answer

Let's eat grandpa!

Question 32

Which of the following sentences correctly uses commas to set off introductory elements?

Accepted Answer

In my opinion, the movie was excellent.

Answer

In my opinion,the movie was excellent.

Answer

Inmy opinion, the movie was excellent.

Answer

In my opinion the movie was excellent.

Question 33

Which of the following sentences correctly uses commas to set off parenthetical elements?

Accepted Answer

The students, however, did not seem to mind the test.

Answer

The students,however, did not seem to mind the test.

Answer

The students however, did not seem to mind the test.

Question 34

Which of the following sentences correctly uses commas to set off direct quotations?

Accepted Answer

The teacher said, "Please turn to page 5."

Answer

The teacher said please turn to page 5.

Answer

The teacher said, please turn to page 5.

Answer

The teacher said "Please turn to page 5."

Question 35

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

Accepted Answer

For breakfast, I had eggs, bacon, and pancakes.

Answer

Eggs, bacon, and pancakes, I had for breakfast.

Answer

For breakfast I had eggs, bacon, and pancakes.

Answer

I had eggs, bacon, and pancakes for breakfast.

Question 36

Which sentence uses commas correctly to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence?

Accepted Answer

It was raining, so we stayed inside.

Answer

It was raining so we stayed inside.

Answer

It was raining; so we stayed inside.

Question 37

Which sentence uses commas correctly to set off a nonessential clause?

Accepted Answer

The car, which was red, was parked in the driveway.

Answer

The car which was red was parked in the driveway.

Answer

The car, which was red was parked in the driveway.

Answer

The car which was red, was parked in the driveway.

Question 38

Which of the following is NOT a rule for using commas?

Accepted Answer

Use a comma after every word in a sentence.

Answer

Use a comma to separate items in a list.

Answer

Use a comma to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence.

Answer

Use a comma to set off nonessential clauses.

Question 39

Which sentence uses commas correctly to separate introductory elements?

Accepted Answer

After the game, we went out to dinner.

Answer

After, the game, we went out to dinner.

Answer

After the game we went out to dinner.

Question 40

Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of commas to set off parenthetical expressions?

Accepted Answer

The students, however, were not convinced.

Answer

The students however were not convinced.

Question 41

Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of commas to separate coordinate adjectives?

Accepted Answer

The tall, handsome stranger walked into the bar.

Answer

The tall handsome, stranger walked into the bar.

Answer

The tall handsome stranger walked into the bar.

Question 42

Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of commas to indicate a pause or break in thought?

Accepted Answer

Well, I guess I'll see you later.

Answer

well, I guess I'll see you later.

Answer

Well I guess I'll see you later.

Question 43

Which of the following sentences uses commas correctly to separate items in a list?

Accepted Answer

For breakfast, Emily had cereal, toast, and orange juice.

Answer

For breakfast Emily had cereal toast and orange juice.

Answer

For breakfast Emily had cereal, toast and orange juice.

Question 44

Identify the sentence that uses a comma correctly to connect independent clauses.

Accepted Answer

The movie was long, but it was enjoyable.

Answer

The movie was long but, it was enjoyable.

Answer

The movie was long but it was enjoyable.

Answer

The movie was long. It was enjoyable.

Question 45

Which sentence uses commas correctly with a nonessential clause?

Accepted Answer

My cousin, who is a chef, makes the best lasagna.

Answer

My cousin, who is a chef makes, the best lasagna.

Answer

My cousin who is a chef makes the best lasagna.

Answer

My cousin who is a chef makes the best lasagna.

Question 46

Where should a comma be placed in the following sentence?: "The dog wagged its tail and barked excitedly when it saw its owner."

Accepted Answer

After "tail"

Answer

After "dog"

Answer

After "excitedly"

Answer

No comma is needed

Question 47

Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of a comma after an introductory phrase?

Accepted Answer

After finishing his homework, John went for a run.

Answer

After. Finishing his homework, John went for a run.

Answer

After finishing his homework, John, went for a run.

Answer

After finishing his homework John went for a run.

Question 48

Identify the sentence that uses commas correctly to set off an appositive.

Accepted Answer

My English teacher, Ms. Smith, assigned a challenging essay.

Answer

My English teacher Ms. Smith assigned, a challenging essay.

Answer

My English teacher, Ms. Smith assigned a challenging essay.

Question 49

Which option correctly punctuates the following sentence?: "Yes I would love another slice of pizza."

Accepted Answer

Yes, I would love another slice of pizza.

Answer

Yes I would love another slice of pizza.

Answer

Yes I would, love another slice of pizza.

Answer

Yes I, would love another slice of pizza.

Question 50

Choose the sentence that uses a comma appropriately with a direct address.

Accepted Answer

Sarah, please pass me the salt.

Answer

Please pass me the salt, Sarah.

Answer

Please pass me the salt Sarah.

Answer

Sarah please pass me the salt.

Question 51

Where should commas be placed in the following sentence?: "The old dusty book lay forgotten on the shelf."

Accepted Answer

After "old" and "dusty"

Answer

After "dusty" only

Answer

After "old" only

Answer

No commas are needed

Question 52

Identify the grammatically correct sentence.

Accepted Answer

Despite the rain, the team played their best game yet.

Answer

Despite the rain, the team played, their best game yet.

Answer

Despite the rain the team played their best game yet.