Two types of conjunction | Starter Quiz | Oak National Academy

Which two co-ordinating conjunctions have a comma before them in a compound sentence?

• and

• but

• or

Answer explanation

We write ', but' and ', or' in a compound sentence before the second main clause.

Tick the compound sentence that is correctly punctuated.

• The children ate their lunch, and they ran off to play.

• We could walk home or we could take the bus.

• We could walk home, but it's raining hard.

Answer explanation

We use commas before 'but' and 'or' in compound sentences.

Tick the sentence that should include a comma.

• The volcano rumbled violently as the eruption drew near.

• As the eruption drew near the volcano rumbled violently.

• The tourists watched the volcano rumble and they were very frightened.

Answer explanation

When the adverbial clause comes first in a complex sentence, it is followed by a comma.

Match the adverbial clause to an appropriate main clause.

• Because it was snowing,

• we got up sleepily.

• As the sun set,

• I wrapped up warmly.

• When it was morning,

• we sang songs by the camp fire.

Answer explanation

The adverbial clause is followed by a comma each time because it comes first in the sentence.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• As Laura watched a small, red fox darted past.

• As Laura watched, a small, red fox darted past.

• As Laura watched a small red fox, darted past.

Answer explanation

Commas are used after an adverbial clause in a complex sentence; they are also used to separate adjectives in an expanded noun phrase.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• Andeep ran home and he grabbed his boots, his socks and his shinpads.

• Andeep ran home, and he grabbed his boots, his socks and his shinpads.

• Andeep ran home and he grabbed his boots, his socks, and his shinpads.

Answer explanation

Commas are used to separate nouns in a list.