Commas and Prepositional Phrases

Which punctuation rule is being applied in the following sentence? Speaking in whispers, the adults tried not to awaken the children.

• A series of introductory prepositional phrases will require a comma as long as the word after the last prep phrase isn’t a verb.

• Introductory participial phrases require a comma.

• Commas around a short appositive (less than five words) in the middle of a sentence.

Which punctuation rule is being applied in the sentence below? Renee, adjusting her backpack, started out to cross the canyon trail.

• A series of introductory prepositional phrases will require a comma as long as the word after the last prep phrase isn’t a verb.

• Introductory participial phrases require a comma.

• Commas around a short appositive (less than five words) in the middle of a sentence.

Ronald went to McDonald's and ordered the Big Mac combo.

• prepositional phrase

• infinitive phrase

• appositive phrase

• not a phrase

Josh asked to go to the bathroom after the announcements.

• prepositional phrase

• appositive phrase

• infinitive phrase

• not a phrase

To my surprise, I saw Mr. Beans hitchhiking on the side of the road.

• Appositive phrase

• infinitive phrase

• prepositional phrase

• This is not a phrase

What is the function of a prepositional phrase?

• It shows location

• It establishes a relationship between two objects in a sentence

• It adds description

• It renames a noun

Which punctuation rule is being applied in the following sentence? After the rain stopped, the children went outside to play.

• A) A series of introductory prepositional phrases will require a comma as long as the word after the last prep phrase isn’t a verb.

• B) Introductory prepositional phrases require a comma.

• C) Commas around a short appositive (less than five words) in the middle of a sentence.

• D) Commas are not needed for introductory phrases.

Identify the prepositional phrase in the following sentence: The cat slept under the warm blanket.

• A) The cat

• B) Slept under

• C) Under the warm blanket

• D) The warm blanket

What is the main purpose of using commas with prepositional phrases?

• A) To separate items in a list

• B) To clarify meaning and avoid confusion

• C) To indicate a pause in speech

• D) To emphasize the phrase

Choose the sentence that correctly uses a comma with a prepositional phrase.

• A) Before the movie started the audience was silent.

• B) In the morning, we will go for a walk.

• C) The book on the table, is mine.

• D) She ran, through the park.