Punctuating sentences

Punctuate the following sentence correctly.

John was delighted he got a part in the school play even though it was a small one.

• comma after delighted

• comma after part

• comma after though

• no comma needed

Answer explanation

While "even though it was a small one" is a dependent clause, no comma is needed because it follows a complete sentence.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Punctuate the following sentence correctly.

Because my pizza had gotten cold I heated it in the microwave.

• comma after Because

• comma after cold

• comma after heated

• no comma needed

Answer explanation

Notice that if you read this sentence aloud, you would naturally pause after "cold," so that indicates you need a comma there.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Punctuate the following sentence correctly.

Although Tommy studied for three hours he still didn't feel prepared for his algebra exam.

• comma after Although

• comma after studied

• comma after hours

• no comma needed

Answer explanation

"Although" is a subordinating conjunction, so it turns a complete thought into a fragment that must be followed by a comma and another sentence to finish the thought.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Punctuate the following sentence correctly.

Alex forgot to feed the cat because he was playing his favorite game.

• comma after feed

• comma after cat

• comma after because

• no comma needed

Answer explanation

You don't need to pause if you read this aloud, so no comma is needed!

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Punctuate the following sentence correctly.

Since Jamie wanted to go hang out with her friends she finished her homework and chores as quickly as possible.

• comma after out

• comma after friends

• comma after chores

• no comma needed

Answer explanation

"Since" is a subordinating conjunction, so you will need a comma after "friends" before finishing the thought with a complete sentence.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

What do you need to do to make the following sentence correct?

Is there anything that can bring a school, and a community closer than a Friday night high school football game?

• remove the comma after school

• add a comma after community

• add a comma before that

• no change is needed

Answer explanation

You only need a comma in a list if there are three or more; here, there are only two: a school and a community.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

John lost his job however he will find another one

• John lost his job however, he will find another one.

• John lost his job; however, he will find another one.

Answer explanation

You have two complete sentences here. You cannot join them with just a comma. You need the semicolon.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

The traffic was heavy on the interstate therefore we took a different route.

• The traffic was heavy on the interstate; therefore we took, a different route.

• The traffic was heavy on the interstate; therefore, we took a different route.

Answer explanation

This is a run-on sentence--two complete sentences joined with no punctuation. You don't have a conjunction, so you need a semicolon. "Therefore" is a transition work and needs to be followed by a comma.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

The teacher checked our homework then she gave us a new assignment.

• The teacher checked our homework, then; she gave us a new assignment.

• The teacher checked our homework; then, she gave us a new assignment.

Answer explanation

This is a run-on sentence--two complete sentences joined with no punctuation. You don't have a conjunction, so you need a semicolon. "Then" is a transition work and needs to be followed by a comma.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

The weather at the beach was stormy all week however we still had a good time at the indoor water park.

• The weather at the beach was stormy all week; however, we still had a good time at the indoor water park.

• The weather at the beach was stormy all week, however; we still had a good time at the indoor water park.

Answer explanation

This is a run-on sentence--two complete sentences joined with no punctuation. You don't have a conjunction, so you need a semicolon. "However" is a transition work and needs to be followed by a comma.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.2A