Comma Review

Front

What is the purpose of a comma in a sentence?

Back

Commas are used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence, to separate items in a list, and to clarify meaning.

Front

When should you use a comma before a conjunction?

Back

A comma should be used before a conjunction (like 'and', 'but', 'or') when it connects two independent clauses.

Front

Is the following sentence correct? 'Until I receive a college offer I will continue to practice many hours a day.'

Back

Incorrect. A comma is needed after 'offer' to separate the dependent clause from the independent clause.

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence; it has a subject and a verb.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence; it depends on an independent clause to provide complete meaning.

Front

Is the following sentence correct? 'The students are counting down the days until summer but I'm sure they will miss seeing their friends.'

Back

Correct. The sentence is correct as it stands, but a comma before 'but' would improve clarity.

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses joined by a conjunction.

Front

Is the following sentence correct? 'The Dosses our next-door neighbors have a beautiful yard and often have barbeques there.'

Back

Incorrect. Commas are needed to separate the appositive 'our next-door neighbors' from the rest of the sentence.

Front

What is an appositive?

Back

An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames or clarifies another noun next to it.

Front

Is the following sentence correct? 'Well I hope you enjoy the presentation and learn something new today.'

Back

Incorrect. A comma is needed after 'Well' to separate the introductory word from the main clause.