Comma Usage

5 Questions | Attempts: 435
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Punctuation Quizzes & Trivia

This quiz tests your knowledge of commas! You must choose whether the commas presented in the question are correct or incorrect. Are you the ultimate comma master? Find out. . . : )


Questions and Answers
  • 1. 

    I went to the mall, and she went to the bakery.

    • A.

      Correct

    • B.

      Incorrect

    Correct Answer
    A. Correct
    Explanation
    The comma connects two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. This is a correct comma usage.

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  • 2. 

    I love apples, pears, markers, llamas, halloween, phones, and music.

    • A.

      Correct

    • B.

      Incorrect

    Correct Answer
    A. Correct
    Explanation
    These commas separate items of a list (in this case they separate nouns). If it is appropriate to say "and" between the items in the list, then a comma is acceptable.

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  • 3. 

    The books, that are damaged, go in this bin.

    • A.

      Correct

    • B.

      Incorrect

    Correct Answer
    B. Incorrect
    Explanation
    Commas offset only NONESSENTIAL appositives. In this case, the knowledge that the books are damaged is crucial to understanding which box they go in. Thus, this appositive is essential, and no commas are necessary.

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  • 4. 

    Andrew Jackson, a former US President, enjoyed turkey hash on waffles for breakfast most mornings.

    • A.

      Correct

    • B.

      Incorrect

    Correct Answer
    A. Correct
    Explanation
    This appositive is nonessential. The fact that Andrew Jackson was a US President is entirely unrelated to his breakfast preferences, and therefore, the commas are fitting.

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  • 5. 

    Cindy Lou vacuumed the floors, mother cleaned the stove.

    • A.

      Correct

    • B.

      Incorrect

    Correct Answer
    B. Incorrect
    Explanation
    Commas do not separate independent clauses. Semicolons can join two independent clauses, but when a comma is used as it is above, the result is known as a comma splice. Comma splices are not professional or proper, but they are hard to notice. If you really want to connect these sentences with a comma, you must use a coordinating conjunction to link the clauses.

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Quiz Review Timeline +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Jul 30, 2011
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Oct 25, 2009
    Quiz Created by
    Llamaluver

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