Items in a Series
Add commas where needed:
I need to buy eggs milk bread and cheese.
I need to buy eggs, milk, bread, and cheese.
Rule: Use commas to separate three or more items in a series. The comma before 'and' is called the Oxford comma and is recommended.
Add commas where needed:
My sister Emma loves to paint.
My sister, Emma, loves to paint.
Rule: Use commas to set off nonessential information. 'Emma' is extra information since 'my sister' already identifies who we're talking about.
Add a comma where needed:
After school I went to the library.
After school, I went to the library.
Rule: Use a comma after an introductory phrase that comes before the main clause.
Fix the verb tense error:
Yesterday I walk to the store and bought some bread.
Yesterday I walked to the store and bought some bread.
Rule: Keep verb tenses consistent within a sentence. Since 'bought' is past tense and 'yesterday' indicates past time, 'walk' should be 'walked.'
Fix ALL errors (commas and verb tense):
Yesterday I buy apples oranges and bananas at the store.
Yesterday I bought apples, oranges, and bananas at the store.
Errors fixed:
• Verb tense: 'buy' → 'bought' (past tense for 'yesterday')
• Series commas: Added commas between items in the list
Add commas where needed:
The museum features paintings from Italy France Spain and Portugal.
The museum features paintings from Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal.
Rule: When listing places or proper nouns in a series, separate each with a comma.
Add commas where needed:
The book which was published last year became a bestseller.
The book, which was published last year, became a bestseller.
Rule: Clauses beginning with 'which' are usually nonessential and need commas. If you can remove the information without changing the sentence's basic meaning, it's nonessential.
Add a comma where needed:
Running through the park she saw her friend.
Running through the park, she saw her friend.
Rule: Introductory participial phrases (phrases starting with -ing verbs) need a comma before the main clause.
Fix the verb tense error:
She studies for three hours last night and passes her test this morning.
She studied for three hours last night and passed her test this morning.
Rule: Events that happened in the past require past tense verbs. 'Last night' and 'this morning' indicate completed past actions.
Fix ALL errors (commas and verb tense):
After the game ended the players shake hands and walks off the field.
After the game ended, the players shook hands and walked off the field.
Errors fixed:
• Introductory phrase: Added comma after 'ended'
• Verb tense: 'shake' → 'shook' and 'walks' → 'walked' (match past tense 'ended')
Add commas where needed:
She ordered a salad with tomatoes cucumbers olives feta cheese and vinaigrette.
She ordered a salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta cheese, and vinaigrette.
Rule: Even with longer series, each item needs a comma separator, including before the final conjunction.
Does this sentence need commas? Why or why not?
Students who study regularly earn better grades.
No commas needed.
Rule: 'Who study regularly' is ESSENTIAL information because it specifies WHICH students earn better grades (not all students, only those who study regularly). Essential information is not set off with commas.
Add a comma where needed:
Because the weather was terrible we decided to stay home and watch movies all day.
Because the weather was terrible, we decided to stay home and watch movies all day.
Rule: When a dependent clause (starting with words like because, although, if, when) comes at the beginning of a sentence, use a comma to separate it from the independent clause.
Fix the verb tense error:
The dog runs into the yard, grabbed the ball, and brings it back to me.
The dog runs into the yard, grabs the ball, and brings it back to me.
Rule: All verbs in a series of actions should use the same tense.
Fix ALL errors (commas and verb tense):
My brother Jake loves to play soccer basketball and tennis but yesterday he stays home.
My brother, Jake, loves to play soccer, basketball, and tennis, but yesterday he stayed home.
Errors fixed:
• Nonessential info: Added commas around 'Jake'
• Series commas: Added commas between sports
• Verb tense: 'stays' → 'stayed' (past tense for 'yesterday')
Add commas where needed:
The recipe requires flour sugar butter eggs and vanilla extract.
The recipe requires flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
Rule: When listing five or more items in a series, use commas to separate each item, including before the final 'and.'
Add commas where needed:
My uncle an experienced pilot flew us to the island.
My uncle, an experienced pilot, flew us to the island.
Rule: 'An experienced pilot' is an appositive (a phrase that renames or describes the noun). It's nonessential information and needs commas on both sides.
Add commas where needed:
After finishing her homework and eating dinner Maria called her friend.
After finishing her homework and eating dinner, Maria called her friend.
Rule: Even when an introductory phrase is longer and contains multiple parts (like two activities connected by 'and'), use one comma to separate the entire introductory phrase from the main clause.
Fix the verb tense errors:
Last summer we go to the beach every weekend and swim in the ocean.
Last summer we went to the beach every weekend and swam in the ocean.
Rule: 'Last summer' indicates the past, so all verbs should be in past tense: 'went' and 'swam.' Even though it was a repeated action, it happened in the past.
Fix ALL errors (commas and verb tense):
Last week Maria who is my best friend baked cookies brownies and cupcakes for the party and brings them to school.
Last week, Maria, who is my best friend, baked cookies, brownies, and cupcakes for the party and brought them to school.
Errors fixed:
• Introductory phrase: Added comma after 'Last week'
• Nonessential info: Added commas around 'who is my best friend'
• Series commas: Added commas between baked goods
• Verb tense: 'brings' → 'brought' (past tense for 'last week')
Identify the error and correct it:
We need someone who is reliable hardworking and has attention to detail.
For the camping trip, we packed tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, matches, and a first aid kit.
Rule: This sentence needs a comma after the introductory phrase 'For the camping trip' AND commas to separate all items in the series.
Add commas where needed:
The painting which hangs in the hallway was created by my grandmother a talented artist.
The painting, which hangs in the hallway, was created by my grandmother, a talented artist.
Rule: Both 'which hangs in the hallway' and 'a talented artist' are nonessential information that add extra details. Both need to be set off with commas.
Add commas where needed:
When the bell rang the students quickly packed their bags and rushed out the door.
When the bell rang, the students quickly packed their bags and rushed out the door.
Rule: Use a comma after an introductory dependent clause (starting with 'when,' 'because,' 'if,' etc.) before the main clause begins.
Fix the verb tense errors:
She walks into the classroom, sat down, and opens her notebook.
She walks into the classroom, sits down, and opens her notebook.
Rule: All three actions in the series should use the same tense.
Fix ALL errors (commas and verb tense):
When the concert started my friends Sarah Tom and Lisa rushed to the front and waves their hands but I stay in the back.
When the concert started, my friends Sarah, Tom, and Lisa rushed to the front and waved their hands, but I stayed in the back.
Errors fixed:
• Introductory clause: Added comma after 'started'
• Series commas: Added commas between friend names
• Verb tense: 'waves' → 'waved' and 'stay' → 'stayed' (past tense to match 'started' and 'rushed')