Comma Usage And Rules Quiz: Test!

Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOY) to connect two independent clauses. Even though both clauses are short, a comma is needed to clarify the confusion.

"A famous Olympic swimmer" is an appositive (a renaming of a previous noun), so it needs commas to set it off. You do not need to include a comma between the coordinate adjectives "famous" and "Olympic." Remember the two tests to decide whether you need a comma between coordinate adjectives (multiple adjectives in a row describing the same noun): 1) read the sentence, switching the order of the adjectives; and 2) read the sentence with the word "and" in-between them. If the sentence makes sense, then DO USE a comma. If the sentence doesn't make sense, DO NOT use a comma.

The phrase "the former President of South Africa" is an appositive (a renaming of a noun). It's non-essential information, so it goes in commas.

"Fortunately for her" is an interrupting expression. If you're not sure whether a phrase is an interrupting expression, try taking it out of the sentence. Is the sentence still a still without it? If so, use two commas to set off the phrase.

You need to have a comma after "lunch" to set off the introductory prepositional phrase, and commas are needed to separate items in the list. No comma is needed between "peanut butter" and "and jelly" because it is considered one item.

Don't forget to add the second comma to set off the appositive (non-essential renaming of a noun).

"Smiling" is a participle (a verb ending in -ing that acts as an adjective, describing a noun). Set off participles and participial phrases at the beginning of the sentence with a comma.

Insert a comma after "bicycle" to set off "Danny," which is a noun of direct address.

"Yet" is a FANBOY (coordinating conjunction), and each clause is independent so you need a comma after "room." "Smelly" and "messy" are coordinate adjectives (more than one adjective is used to describe a noun). When you come across two adjectives describing the same noun, run through the two tests to see if you need a comma: switch the order of the adjectives, and read it with an "and" in-between them. if the sentence still makes sense, then DO USE a comma. If it doesn't make sense, then you don't need a comma between them.

A comma is needed after the introductory prepositional phrase "for the trip." Do not use a comma with coordinating adjectives (two adjectives describing one noun) when one of the adjectives is a color. Use commas to separate the items in a list.

Since there is more than one dog, "Cody" is essential and not simply an unnecessary renaming of a noun. Non-essential information goes in commas, essential information does not.