Commas Quiz

Read the sentence below and decide if there is a comma problem. If you decide there is a problem, choose where the comma should be added or where the comma should be taken out. For more information about Frostland Ice Cream Parlor visit the company's website, at www.frostland.com.

A. Comma needed after "Parlor," but not after "website" (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is A. The prepositional phrase "For more information about Frostland Ice Cream Parlor" is more than three words, and it introduces the sentence. It therefore needs a comma after it. The prepositional phrase "at www.frostland.com" comes at the end of the sentence, and so it needs no comma before it. A comma there stops the reader unnecessarily.

Read the sentence below and decide if there is a comma problem. If you decide there is a problem, choose where the comma should be added or where the comma should be taken out. As investigators try to find the source of a salmonella outbreak linked to tomatoes more problems with the nation's food safety system have surfaced.

A. Comma needed between "tomatoes" and "more problems" (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is A. The sentence begins with an introductory adverb clause, and a comma always follows an introductory adverb clause. You can tell it's an adverb clause because it begins with a subordinating conjunction - "As."

In which situation below do you insert a comma?

A. In between a dependent adverb clause that starts a sentence and an independent clause that follows it. For example: "When I wake up in the morning, I always have to have a cup of coffee." (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is A: IN BETWEEN A DEPENDENT ADVERB CLAUSE AND AN IND CLAUSE THAT FOLLOWS IT.

Read the sentence below and decide if there is a comma problem. If you decide there is a problem, choose where the comma should be added or where the comma should be taken out. Though investigators insist tomatoes remain the leading problem, they are looking at other produce, but won't say what vegetables are being examined.

B. Comma between "produce" and "but" should be taken out. (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is B. Because there's no stated subject in the clause after the coordinating conjunction "but," a comma is not needed before it. C. Comma should be added between "vegetables" and "are b

Read the sentence below and decide if there is a comma problem. If you decide there is a problem, choose where the comma should be added or where the comma should be taken out. The new McBryan's Restaurant website offers a modern look and feel and it highlights promotions for customers on the homepage.

B. Comma needed between "feel" and "and it highlights" (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is B. The conjunction "and," which falls between the words "feel" and "it highlights" separates two independent clauses, and each of these clauses has a stated subject ("website" and "it"). So you must put a comma before the coordinating conjunction.

Read the sentence below and decide if there is a comma problem. If you decide there is a problem, choose where the comma should be added or where the comma should be taken out. The vicious winter storm left its victims cold scared and hungry.

B. Comma needed between the adjectives "cold" and "scared" (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is B. Put commas between single words in a series except before the last item. So there would be no comma before "and hungry." Also, no comma is needed between the words "vicious" and "winter." You can tell this because you would not put the word "and" between these adjectives (The "vicious and winter storm" sounds weird

In which situation below do you insert a comma?

B. Right before a coordinating conjunction (like "and, but, or, yet") between two independent clauses, where the second clause states a subject. For example: "I like chocolate, but Stacy likes vanilla." (correct) Rationale: The correct choice is B: RIGHT BEFORE A COORDINATING CONJUNCTION BETWEEN TWO IND CLAUSES WHEN THE SECOND CLAUSE STATES A SUBJECT.

Read the sentence below and decide if there is a comma problem. If you decide there is a problem, choose where the comma should be added or where the comma should be taken out. In a large ceramic mixing bowl, beat together the bananas, sugar, egg, and butter.

B. Take out the comma after "egg" (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is B. You need a comma after the introductory phrase (which has six words), but you don't need a comma before "and butter" because butter is the last item in a list of single items. C. Add a comma between "together" and "the bananas"

Read the sentence below and decide if there is a comma problem. If you decide there is a problem, choose where the comma should be added or where the comma should be taken out. Add the pecans and two eggs, mix well and bake at 300 degrees for 25 minutes.

C. Add a comma between "mix well" and "and bake" (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is C. Whereas you do not insert a comma before the last item in a list of single items, you DO add a comma before the last clause in a list of clauses.

In which situation below do you NOT insert a comma?

C. Before the last word in a list of single words. For example: "My favorite flavors are chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and peach." (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is C: BEFORE THE LAST WORD IN A LIST OF SINGLE WORDS. However, you DO insert a comma right before the last item in a list of phrases or clauses.

Question 11: Read the sentence below and decide if there is a comma problem. If you decide there is a problem, choose where the comma should be added or where the comma should be taken out. Health officials recommend that people wash their hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds, before they handle food.

C. Take out the comma between "seconds" and "before" (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is C. The adverb clause "before they handle food" comes at the end of the sentence, and so no comma is needed between it and the main independent clause.

Read the sentence below and decide if there is a comma problem. If you decide there is a problem, choose where the comma should be added or where the comma should be taken out. National Ice Cream Month 2008 has come and gone yet wonderful memories of warm summer days and tasty ice cream linger.

D. Comma needed between "gone" and "yet" (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is D. The word "yet" is a coordinating conjunction and separates two independent clauses, each of which has stated subjects ("National Ice Cream Month 2008" and "memories"). So you must place a comma right before "yet."

Read the sentence below and decide if there is a comma problem. If you decide there is a problem, choose where the comma should be added or where the comma should be taken out. "The website is more interesting for the site visitor and is much easier to use," said Gilberto Mendez, director of McBryan's U.S. marketing.

D. No other comma needed (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is D. Because the subject in the second independent clause is not stated outright (it's only implied), you don't put a comma before the clause. The other commas in the sentence are correctly placed.

Read the sentence below and decide if there is a comma problem. If you decide there is a problem, choose where the comma should be added or where the comma should be taken out. The ad campaign dramatizes the ice cream lover's journey to a Frostland Ice Cream Parlor and poses challenges that test her passion for Frostland's ice cream.

D. No other comma needed (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is D. Because the subject in the second independent clause is not stated outright (its only implied), you dont need a comma before it. This is a lengthy sentence, so a comma inserted for clarity would be OK -- just know it's not technically correct.

Read the sentence below and decide if there is a comma problem. If you decide there is a problem, choose where the comma should be added or where the comma should be taken out. Before Friday all the state's grocery stores will notify customers about the meat recall.

D. Sentence is correct as is. (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is D: SENTENCE IS CORRECT AS IS. The phrase "Before Friday" has fewer than three words, and so it doesn't need a comma after it

What's wrong with the following sentence?

D. There should be a coordinating conjunction (like "and") after the comma and before "the statue's base was . . ." (correct) Rationale: The correct answer is D: The sentence has a comma splice. That's when two independent clauses are separated by only a comma. The sentence should be written: " . . . the Sept. 11 attacks, and the statue's base . . ."