ACT English Comma Usage and Apostrophes Quiz

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| Questions: 15 | Updated: May 7, 2026
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1. Which sentence uses commas correctly?

Explanation

This sentence correctly uses commas to separate items in a list. The phrase "milk, eggs, and bread" is clearly delineated, following the standard convention of placing a comma before the conjunction "and" in a series. The other options either misuse commas or lack clarity in listing the items.

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About This Quiz
ACT English Comma Usage and Apostrophes Quiz - Quiz

Master comma placement and apostrophe rules with the ACT English Comma Usage and Apostrophes Quiz. This quiz tests your ability to use commas correctly in sentences, apply apostrophes for contractions and possession, and recognize common punctuation errors. Strengthen your grammar skills for standardized testing and improve your writing clarity.

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2. Choose the sentence with correct apostrophe usage.

Explanation

This sentence correctly uses the apostrophe to indicate possession for multiple dogs. "Dogs'" shows that the tails belong to more than one dog, while "tails" is properly pluralized. The other options either misuse the apostrophe or fail to indicate possession correctly.

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3. Which sentence correctly uses a comma before a coordinating conjunction?

Explanation

A comma is needed before a coordinating conjunction (like "but") when it connects two independent clauses. In the sentence "I wanted to go hiking, but the weather was bad," both parts can stand alone as complete sentences, making the comma necessary for clarity and proper punctuation.

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4. Identify the correct possessive form.

Explanation

The phrase "The girls' book" indicates that the book belongs to multiple girls, making it the correct possessive form. The apostrophe after "girls" signifies possession, while "book" remains singular, correctly indicating that one book is shared among them. The other options either misuse apostrophes or incorrectly match singular and plural forms.

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5. Which sentence uses commas to separate items in a series correctly?

Explanation

This sentence correctly uses commas to separate items in a series, ensuring clarity and proper punctuation. The inclusion of the Oxford comma before "and grapes" is also stylistically acceptable, helping to avoid ambiguity in lists. The other options lack necessary commas, making them grammatically incorrect.

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6. Choose the correct contraction.

Explanation

The contraction "won't" is the correct form of "will not." It combines the auxiliary verb "will" with "not," using an apostrophe to replace the missing letters. The other options either lack proper apostrophe placement or are incorrect forms, making "She won't be able to attend" the grammatically accurate choice.

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7. Which sentence needs a comma after an introductory phrase?

Explanation

An introductory phrase sets the stage for the main clause that follows. In this case, "After the movie" is an introductory phrase that requires a comma to separate it from the main action of the sentence, ensuring clarity and proper punctuation. This enhances readability and indicates a pause before the main point.

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8. Which shows the correct possessive of a singular noun?

Explanation

The possessive form of a singular noun is created by adding an apostrophe followed by an "s." In this case, "James's" correctly indicates that the car belongs to James, while the other options either misuse the apostrophe or are grammatically incorrect.

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9. Identify the sentence with correct comma usage around a nonrestrictive clause.

Explanation

The sentence correctly uses commas to set off the nonrestrictive clause "who is a doctor." This clause provides additional information about "Maria" but is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. The commas indicate that the main idea remains clear even without this extra detail.

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10. Which sentence uses apostrophes correctly for plural possessives?

Explanation

The phrase "the children's toys" correctly uses an apostrophe to indicate possession for the plural noun "children." The apostrophe is placed before the "s" to show that the toys belong to multiple children. This distinguishes it from the incorrect options, which misuse apostrophes or fail to indicate possession properly.

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11. Choose the sentence with proper comma placement before a relative pronoun.

Explanation

Commas are used to set off non-restrictive relative clauses that add extra information but do not change the main meaning of the sentence. In "The book, which I read last week, was amazing," the clause "which I read last week" provides additional context about the book without limiting the identity of the subject.

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12. Which contraction is spelled correctly?

Explanation

The contraction "they're" combines "they" and "are," indicating that a group is performing an action. The other options either misuse "their," which denotes possession, or contain spelling errors, making "they're" the only correct choice in this context.

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13. Identify the sentence with commas in the correct positions.

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14. Which shows correct possessive use with an irregular plural?

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15. Choose the sentence with correct comma usage in a compound sentence.

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Which sentence uses commas correctly?
Choose the sentence with correct apostrophe usage.
Which sentence correctly uses a comma before a coordinating...
Identify the correct possessive form.
Which sentence uses commas to separate items in a series correctly?
Choose the correct contraction.
Which sentence needs a comma after an introductory phrase?
Which shows the correct possessive of a singular noun?
Identify the sentence with correct comma usage around a nonrestrictive...
Which sentence uses apostrophes correctly for plural possessives?
Choose the sentence with proper comma placement before a relative...
Which contraction is spelled correctly?
Identify the sentence with commas in the correct positions.
Which shows correct possessive use with an irregular plural?
Choose the sentence with correct comma usage in a compound sentence.
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