Comma Drama!

Coordinating Conjunctions

100

TRUE or FALSE: We always use commas with coordinating conjunctions.

False

200

IS THIS CORRECT? The delivery woman came by, but needed a signature to drop of the package.

No. The delivery woman came by but needed a signature to drop of the package.

300

CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER: I have seen that movie __________ I don't want to see it again. A) , and liked it and B) and liked it, but C) but liked it, and D) , and liked it but

B) I have seen that movie and liked it, but I don't want to see it again.

400

EDIT THE SENTENCE: There have been many accidents on several freeways, but not on the 60 so I'll take that route.

There have been many accidents on several freeways but not on the 60, so I'll take that route.

500

EDIT THE SENTENCE: My parents haven't been paying much attention to the news nor they have not been watching any sports.

My parents haven't been paying much attention to the news, nor have they been watching any sports.

Introductory Elements

100

TRUE or FALSE: It is always okay to have a comma after introductory elements.

True

200

IS THIS CORRECT? When looking for a good book, I always read the reviews.

Yes!

300

CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER: I never waste my time watching horror movies. ________ I can think of many ways to better spend my time. A) Therefore B) However, C) In fact, D) Also

C) I never waste my time watching horror movies. Besides, I can think of many ways to better spend my time.

400

EDIT THE SENTENCE: Looking at the beautiful sunset Julia smiled with pure joy. At this time she felt at peace.

Looking at the beautiful sunset, Julia smiled with pure joy. At this time, she felt at peace.

500

EDIT THE SENTENCE: Yesterday when leaving the store I saw a man riding a motorcycle while holding a dog.

Yesterday, when leaving the store, I saw a man riding a motorcycle while holding a dog.

Dependent Clauses

100

TRUE or FALSE: Adverb clauses are always followed by a comma when in front of the independent clause.

True!

200

IS THIS CORRECT? This state has an extremely strong economy, whereas others are struggling economically.

Yes!

300

CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER: ______ we will have a picnic in the park. A) Unless it rains B) If it rains, C) If it doesn't rain D) Unless it rains,

D) Unless it rains, we will have a picnic in the park.

400

COMPLETE and EDIT THE SENTENCE: (Before/After) we arrived at the theater we got stuck in traffic due to an accident.

Before we arrived at the theater, we got stuck in traffic due to an accident.

500

EDIT THE SENTENCE: He spoke to the audience, until they were ready to listen.

He spoke to the audience as soon as they were ready to listen.

Adjective Clauses

100

TRUE or FALSE:You can never use the relative pronoun "that" when the adjective clause has commas.

True

200

IS THIS CORRECT? Erik, who has studied at this college, is now earning a degree will help him get a great job.

No! Bonus: for 200 points, edit the sentence.

300

CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER: This store ______ offers great deals on many products. A) , that I shop at often, B) which is where I shop often C) , which I shop at often, D) at where I shop often

C) This store, which I shop at often,offers great deals on many products.

400

EDIT THE SENTENCE: Since it's cold, I want to visit my best friend, who his swimming pool is heated.

Since it's cold, I want to visit my best friend, whose swimming pool is heated

500

EDIT THE SENTENCE: There must be someone whom wants to help set up for my party which it starts at 8:00pm.

There must be someone who wants to help set up for my party, which starts at 8:00pm.

Appositives

100

TRUE or FALSE: An appositive has at least one verb.

False. An appositive is a noun phrase.

200

IS THIS CORRECT? Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, had a medical career before writing.

Yes.

300

CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER: There are many people at the Rose Bowl _______ because of the concert. A) , a famous stadium, B) a famous stadium, C) , a famous stadium D) , a famous stadium.

A) There are many people at the Rose Bowl, a famous stadium, because of the concert.

400

EDIT THE SENTENCE: I enrolled in this course ESL 6A to improve my academic English skills.

I enrolled in this course, ESL 8, to improve my academic English Skills.

500

EDIT THE SENTENCE: I recently saw a movie called "Fambul Tok" a wonderful documentary from Sierra Leone a West-African nation.

I recently saw a film called "Fambul Tok," a powerful documentary from Sierra Leone, a West-African nation.