Mastering Comma Usage in English

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to separate items in a list?

• I bought apples oranges bananas and grapes.

• I bought apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes.

• I bought apples oranges, bananas, and grapes.

• I bought, apples, oranges, bananas and grapes.

Identify the sentence that correctly uses a comma to separate independent clauses.

• She wanted to go for a walk but it started to rain.

• She wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain.

• She wanted to go for a walk but, it started to rain.

• She wanted, to go for a walk but it started to rain.

Which sentence correctly uses a comma after an introductory phrase?

• After the movie we went to a café.

• After the movie, we went to a café.

• After, the movie we went to a café.

• After the movie we, went to a café.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses commas to set off non-essential information.

• My brother who is a doctor lives in London.

• My brother, who is a doctor, lives in London.

• My brother who, is a doctor, lives in London.

• My brother, who is a doctor lives in London.

Which sentence correctly uses a comma in direct address?

• Let's eat Grandma.

• Let's eat, Grandma.

• Let's, eat Grandma.

• Let's eat Grandma,

Identify the sentence that correctly uses a comma to separate adjectives of equal rank.

• It was a long, hot summer.

• It was a long hot, summer.

• It was a long hot summer.

• It was, a long hot summer.

Which sentence correctly uses a comma in dialogue?

• "I can't believe it" she said.

• "I can't believe it," she said.

• "I can't believe it", she said.

• "I can't believe it." she said.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a comma to separate contrasting parts of a sentence.

• I wanted to go to the park, not the mall.

• I wanted to go to the park not, the mall.

• I wanted to go, to the park not the mall.

• I wanted, to go to the park not the mall.

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to separate a quotation from the rest of the sentence?

• "It's a beautiful day" said John.

• "It's a beautiful day," said John.

• "It's a beautiful day", said John.

• "It's a beautiful day." said John.

Identify the sentence that correctly uses a comma to separate a city from a country.

• I visited Paris France last summer.

• I visited Paris, France last summer.

• I visited Paris, France, last summer.

• I visited, Paris France last summer.