Commas in a Series

What is a series in the context of a sentence?

• A single word repeated

• A complex mathematical concept

• A list of related words or phrases

• A list of unrelated words

Where should the first comma be placed in a series of words?

• After the first item in the series

• At the end of the sentence

• Before the first word

• After the first word

What is the purpose of commas in a series?

• To confuse the reader

• To create short pauses

• To end a sentence

• To connect unrelated ideas

How many commas are needed in a series of three phrases?

• None

• Two

• Three

• One

The three people in the play were Merrin Ty and Lizzie.

• The three people in the play are Merrin, Ty, and Lizzie.

• The three people, in the play are Merrin, Ty and Lizzie.

I'll be ready to go after I eat breakfast brush my teeth and comb my hair.

• I'll be ready to go after I eat breakfast, brush my teeth, and comb my hair.

• I'll be ready to go, after I eat breakfast brush, my teeth and comb, my hair.

On Saturday, I have a basketball tournament my sister has a dance competition and my mom has to work.

• On Saturday, I have a basketball, tournament my sister has a dance, competition and my mom, has to work.

• On Saturday, I have a basketball tournament, my sister has a dance competition, and my mom has to work.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is: On Saturday, I have a basketball tournament, my sister has a dance competition, and my mom has to work. This choice correctly has a comma after the activities of each family member on Saturday.

Which sentence has the correct commas in place?

Do you think Chris Ally or Santiago might play flag football with us?

• Do you think Chris, Ally or Santiago might play flag football with us?

• Do you think Chris, Ally, or Santiago might play flag football with us?

• Do you think Chris Ally, or Santiago might play flag football with us?

• No change is needed.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence should have commas before each name in a list. Therefore, the sentence 'Do you think Chris, Ally, or Santiago might play flag football with us?' is the correct choice.

Which sentence has the commas in the correct place?

You will need to practice jumping running dribbling shooting and passing.

• You will need to practice jumping, running, dribbling, shooting, and passing.

• You will need to practice jumping, running, dribbling shooting and passing.

• You will need to practice jumping running, dribbling, shooting and passing.

• No change is needed.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'You will need to practice jumping, running, dribbling, shooting, and passing.' as it correctly uses commas to separate each activity in the list.

Which sentence has the commas in the correct place?

The ice cream was sweet cold and crunchy.

• The ice cream was sweet cold, and crunchy.

• The ice cream was sweet, cold and crunchy.

• The ice cream was sweet, cold, and crunchy.

• No change is needed.

Answer explanation

The sentence 'The ice cream was sweet, cold, and crunchy.' correctly places the commas to separate the adjectives describing the ice cream.