Mastering Commas: A Comprehensive Guide to Punctuation

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

I went to the park, and I played on the swings.

Answer

I went to the park and I played on the swings.

Answer

I went to the park and I played on the swings

Answer

I went to the park; and I played on the swings.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

The dog, who is very friendly, wagged its tail.

Answer

The dog is very friendly wagged its tail.

Answer

The dog who was very friendly wagged its tail.

Answer

The dog, was very friendly, wagged its tail.

Question 3

When using commas to separate items in a list, which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

A comma should be placed after every item in the list, except the last one.

Answer

A comma should be placed before every item in the list, except the first one.

Answer

A comma should be placed between every two items in the list.

Answer

Commas are not necessary when separating items in a list.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a function of commas in English grammar?

Accepted Answer

Indicating possession

Answer

Separating items in a list

Answer

Separating independent clauses in a compound sentence

Answer

Setting off introductory elements

Question 5

True or False: Commas are always optional in English grammar.

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 6

When writing a sentence with an introductory element, like a dependent clause or phrase, should you use a comma?

Accepted Answer

Yes, use a comma only when the introductory element is a dependent clause or phrase.

Answer

No, never use a comma with introductory elements.

Answer

Yes, use a comma after every introductory element, regardless of its type.

Question 7

When is it correct to use a comma after an introductory prepositional phrase?

Accepted Answer

Only when the phrase is long or nonessential

Answer

Always

Answer

Only when the preposition indicates time or place

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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

Answer

I went to the store and bought milk bread and eggs.

Question 9

In which sentence are commas correctly used to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence?

Accepted Answer

I went to the store, although it was raining.

Answer

I went to the store although it was raining.

Answer

I went to the store,although it was raining

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

The cat, who was very hungry, ate all the food.

Answer

The cat who was very hungry ate all the food.

Answer

The cat who, was very hungry ate all the food.

Question 11

Which of these sentences contains a comma splice?

Accepted Answer

I went to the store, it was closed.

Answer

I went to the store, and it was closed.

Answer

I went to the store it was closed.

Question 12

When is it appropriate to use a comma after a dependent clause?

Accepted Answer

Only when the dependent clause comes before the independent clause

Answer

Always

Answer

Never

Question 13

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to separate an introductory element from the rest of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

Finally, I finished the project.

Answer

Finally I finished the project.

Answer

Finally I, finished the project.

Question 14

When should you use a comma to separate two adjectives that describe the same noun?

Accepted Answer

Only when the adjectives are not joined by 'and' or 'or'

Answer

Always

Answer

Never

Question 15

Which sentence correctly uses commas to enclose a direct quotation?

Accepted Answer

She said, 'I'm going to the store.'

Answer

She said I'm going to the store.

Answer

She said 'I'm going to the store'

Question 16

When should you use a comma to separate two independent clauses that are joined by a coordinating conjunction?

Accepted Answer

Always

Answer

Never

Answer

Only when the independent clauses are long

Question 17

Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate a parenthetical expression from the rest of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

The book, which was very interesting, was a gift.

Answer

The book which was very interesting was a gift.

Answer

The book which, was very interesting was a gift.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

I need to buy bread, eggs, and milk.

Answer

I need to buy bread, eggs and milk

Answer

I need to buy bread and eggs milk.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

My car, which is red, needs to be washed.

Answer

My car, which is red needs to be washed.

Answer

My car needs to be washed, which is red.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

To set off essential clauses.

Answer

To separate items in a list.

Answer

To separate independent clauses in a compound sentence.

Question 21

In the sentence 'The boy, who was very excited, ran to the park.', which part of the sentence is a nonessential clause?

Accepted Answer

who was very excited

Answer

The boy

Answer

ran to the park

Question 22

Which of the following sentences uses a comma splice?

Accepted Answer

The students studied hard they passed the test.

Answer

The students studied hard, so they passed the test.

Answer

The students studied hard, which is why they passed the test.

Question 23

Which of the following is the correct way to use commas in the sentence 'The following items are required a pen a pencil and an eraser.'?

Accepted Answer

The following items are required, a pen, a pencil, and an eraser.

Answer

The following items are required a pen, a pencil and an eraser.

Answer

The following items are required, a pen a pencil and an eraser.

Question 24

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

Accepted Answer

Well, I never!

Answer

Well I never!

Answer

Well,I never!

Question 25

Which of the following sentences uses commas correctly to separate coordinate adjectives?

Accepted Answer

The big, red dog barked loudly.

Answer

The big red dog barked loudly.

Answer

The big,red dog barked loudly.

Question 26

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

Accepted Answer

The book is, in my opinion, very good.

Answer

The book is in my opinion, very good.

Answer

The book is in my opinion very good.

Question 27

Which sentence requires a comma to separate the independent clauses?

Accepted Answer

The dog barked, and the children laughed.

Answer

The children laughed, and the dog barked.

Answer

The dog, who was very excited, barked and ran around the yard.

Answer

The children, who were playing in the garden, were laughing and running.

Question 28

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

Accepted Answer

I need to buy bread, milk, and eggs.

Answer

I need to buy bread, milk and eggs.

Answer

I need to buy bread milk, and eggs.

Answer

I need bread, milk and eggs.

Question 29

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

Accepted Answer

The cat, who was sleeping peacefully, didn't even stir.

Answer

The cat who was sleeping peacefully didn't even stir.

Answer

The cat, who was sleeping, didn't even stir peacefully.

Answer

The cat who, was sleeping peacefully, didn't even stir.

Question 30

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

Accepted Answer

To indicate a pause in speech

Answer

To separate items in a list

Answer

To separate independent clauses in a compound sentence

Answer

To set off nonessential clauses

Question 31

Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate adjectives?

Accepted Answer

The tall, handsome man smiled at me.

Answer

The tall handsome man, smiled at me.

Answer

The tall and handsome, man smiled at me.

Answer

The tall, and handsome man smiled at me.

Question 32

Which sentence correctly uses commas to set off a direct 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 33

Which sentence does NOT require a comma?

Accepted Answer

The students who were absent took the test.

Answer

The students who were absent missed the test.

Answer

The test which was difficult took two hours.

Answer

The students, who were absent, missed the test.

Question 34

Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate two or more adjectives that come before a noun?

Accepted Answer

The large, black cat ran away.

Answer

The large black, cat ran away.

Answer

The, large black cat ran away.

Answer

The large, and black cat ran away.

Question 35

Which sentence has commas correctly separating items in a list?

Accepted Answer

I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.

Answer

I bought apples.oranges.and bananas.

Answer

I bought apples oranges and bananas

Answer

I bought apples,oranges and,bananas

Question 36

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

Accepted Answer

The sun was shining, and the birds were singing.

Answer

The sun was shining and the birds were singing

Answer

The sun was shining. And the birds were singing.

Answer

The sun was shining, and, the birds were singing.

Question 37

Which sentence correctly uses commas 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

Question 38

Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate a direct quotation from the rest of the sentence?

Accepted Answer

She said, "I'm going to the store."

Answer

"She said, I'm going to the store."

Answer

"She said I'm going to the store."

Answer

She said "I'm going to the store"

Question 39

Which sentence correctly uses commas to set off an introductory element?

Accepted Answer

To be honest, I don't know the answer.

Answer

To be honest: I don't know the answer.

Answer

To be honest I don't know the answer

Answer

To be honest,I don't know the answer.

Question 40

Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate coordinate adjectives?

Accepted Answer

The tall, handsome stranger walked into the room.

Answer

The tall,handsome stranger walked into the room.

Answer

The tall handsome stranger walked into the room

Answer

The tall and handsome stranger walked into the room.

Question 41

Which sentence correctly uses commas to set off a parenthetical expression?

Accepted Answer

The book, which was a gift from my friend, is on the table.

Answer

The book which was a gift from my friend is on the table

Answer

The book,which was a gift from my friend is on the table.

Question 42

Which sentence correctly uses commas to indicate a pause or hesitation?

Accepted Answer

Well, I'm not sure what to say.

Answer

Well I'm not sure what to say

Answer

Well,I'm not sure what to say.

Answer

Well I'm not, sure what to say.

Question 43

Which sentence correctly uses commas to set off an appositive?

Accepted Answer

My friend, John, is a great guy.

Answer

My friend John, is a great guy.

Answer

My friend,John is a great guy.

Answer

My friend John is a great guy

Question 44

Which sentence uses commas correctly to separate items in a list of three or more items?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

I brought apples, orangesand bananas to the picnic.

Answer

I brought apples oranges and bananas to the picnic.

Question 45

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

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

I went to the store, andI bought some milk.

Answer

I went to the store; and I bought some milk.

Answer

I went to the store and I bought some milk.

Question 46

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

Accepted Answer

The cat, which was sleeping on the couch, didn't even stir.

Answer

The cat which was sleeping on the couch didn't even stir.

Answer

The cat which, was sleeping on the couch didn't even stir.

Question 47

Which sentence uses a comma correctly to separate a dependent clause from an independent clause?

Accepted Answer

The students, who were very excited, ran to the playground.

Answer

The students who, were very excited ran to the playground.

Answer

The students who were very excited ran to the playground.

Question 48

Which sentence should NOT have a comma?

Accepted Answer

I went to the store to buy milk and eggs.

Answer

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

Answer

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

Answer

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

Question 49

Which sentence uses commas correctly to separate two adjectives that describe the same noun?

Accepted Answer

The tall, handsome man walked into the room.

Answer

The tall, handsome, man walked into the room.

Answer

The tall handsome man, walked into the room.

Answer

The tall handsome, man walked into the room.

Question 50

Which sentence uses commas correctly to set off an introductory phrase?

Accepted Answer

Before leaving, the teacher gave us homework.

Answer

Before leaving,the teacher gave us homework.

Answer

Before, leaving the teacher gave us homework.

Answer

Before leaving the teacher gave us homework.

Question 51

Which sentence uses commas correctly to set off a direct quotation?

Accepted Answer

The principal said, "All students must be in uniform."

Answer

The principal said "All students must be in uniform".

Answer

The principal said, "All students must be in uniform.

Question 52

Which sentence uses commas correctly to set off an appositive?

Accepted Answer

My favorite subject, math, is very challenging.

Answer

My favorite subject math is very challenging.

Answer

My favorite subject, mathis very challenging.

Answer

My favorite subject math, is very challenging.

Question 53

Which sentence uses commas correctly to set off a parenthetical expression?

Accepted Answer

The students, surprisingly, did very well on the test.

Answer

The students surprisingly did very well on the test.

Answer

The students surprisingly, did very well on the test.