Everyday Commas: correct answers
Jump to answers ↓Connecting Sentences with Conjunctions
When you join two complete sentences (independent clauses) using a coordinating conjunction—like and, but, or, so, or yet—you must place a comma before the conjunction. This tells the reader that a new complete thought is starting.
✅ I washed the dishes, but I forgot to take out the trash. ❌ I washed the dishes but I forgot to take out the trash.
However, if the second part of the sentence is just a second verb and doesn't have its own subject, it is a compound predicate, not a compound sentence. In this case, do not use a comma.
✅ I chased the furry thief for ten minutes but couldn't catch it. ❌ I chased the furry thief for ten minutes, but couldn't catch it.
Setting Off Introductory Clauses
When you start a sentence with a dependent clause or a time word, use a comma to signal where the introductory part ends and the main sentence begins.
✅ Before we even reached the hotel, my suitcase fell into a canal. ❌ Before we even reached the hotel my suitcase fell into a canal.
If you flip the sentence so the dependent clause comes at the end, the comma is usually dropped because the main idea is already established.
✅ My suitcase fell into a canal before we even reached the hotel.
Extra Information and Direct Address
Commas act like parentheses to set off non-essential information. An appositive is a noun or phrase that renames the noun right beside it. If you can remove that phrase without changing the core meaning of the sentence, it needs to be framed with commas.
✅ Barnaby, a fluffy orange cat, thinks he owns the local bakery. ❌ Barnaby a fluffy orange cat thinks he owns the local bakery.
Similarly, when you are talking directly to someone, their name (or title) must be separated by commas, no matter where it appears in the sentence.
✅ I am begging you, Dave, to finally clean up the living room. ✅ Sarah, I fed the cat already.
The Comma Splice Trap
The most common mistake learners make with commas is the "comma splice." This happens when you try to glue two complete sentences together using only a comma, without a conjunction. Commas are not strong enough to hold two independent clauses together on their own.
❌ A squirrel stole my homework, it ran up a giant oak tree.
To fix a comma splice, you have three options: add a coordinating conjunction, change the comma to a semicolon, or split the clauses into two separate sentences.
✅ A squirrel stole my homework, and it ran up a giant oak tree. ✅ A squirrel stole my homework. It ran up a giant oak tree.
Correct answers
Question 1
Select the best sentence to introduce the neighborhood's most famous pet in the local newsletter.
The correct answer is Barnaby, a fluffy orange cat, thinks he owns the local bakery.
The phrase "a fluffy orange cat" is extra information that describes Barnaby (an appositive). Because we would still know who the sentence is about without it, we must set this extra information apart with commas on both sides.
Question 2
The correct answers are A squirrel stole my homework, and it ran up a giant oak tree. and I chased the furry thief for ten minutes but couldn't catch it.
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so) ONLY when it joins two complete, independent clauses (sentences that could stand alone).
I chased the furry thief for ten minutes but couldn't catch it. is correct without a comma because "couldn't catch it" is not a complete sentence (it has no subject).
I tried to bribe it with a peanut, but failed miserably. is incorrect because it uses a comma before a compound verb.
The squirrel looked at me and, it just laughed. places the comma on the wrong side of the conjunction.
Question 3
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence for a travel blogger's latest disaster post.
The correct answer is Before we even reached the hotel, my suitcase fell into a canal.
When a sentence starts with an introductory phrase or a dependent clause (like "Before we even reached the hotel"), use a comma to separate it from the main part of the sentence. This gives your reader a helpful pause!
Question 4
When I arrived in 1892, I immediately bought a top hat.
Use a comma after an introductory dependent clause (starting with words like When, If, or Because) to separate it from the main sentence.
However, I quickly panicked because my time machine was out of battery.
Generally, do not use a comma before a dependent clause when it comes after the main independent clause.
Without my smartphone, I had to actually ask people for directions!
Use a comma after an introductory prepositional phrase to prevent confusion and clearly signal the start of the main subject.
Question 5
Help the slightly messy roommate leave a grammatically correct sticky note. Select the correctly punctuated sentence.
The correct answer is I washed the dishes, but I forgot to take out the trash.
When you join two complete sentences (independent clauses) with a coordinating conjunction like but, and, or so, you should place a comma right before the conjunction.
Question 6
The correct answers are Before I left for the airport, I packed my swimsuit, sunscreen, and sunglasses. and I grabbed my passport, locked the door, and ran to the taxi.
Use commas to separate three or more items in a series. The comma before the "and" (the Oxford comma) is generally preferred for clarity. Also, use a comma after a dependent clause that starts a sentence.
When I finally arrived at the gate I realized I forgot my ticket. is missing the comma after the introductory clause ("...gate, I realized...").
My suitcase was full of shirts, pants and, shoes. has a misplaced comma; it should go before the "and", not after it.
Question 7
Help the frustrated roommate complete this text message by dragging the correctly punctuated words into the blanks.
I am begging you, Dave, to finally clean up the living room. I just found three plates, two cups, and a dirty fork hidden under the sofa cushions!
I am begging you, Dave, to finally clean up the living room.
When addressing someone directly in the middle of a sentence, use commas on both sides of their name to set it off from the rest of the sentence.
I just found three plates, two cups, and a dirty fork hidden under the sofa cushions!
While we use commas to separate items in a list, do not put a comma after the final item in the series ("fork") before continuing the rest of the sentence.
Question 8
The correct answers are Yes, I fed the cat this morning. and I fed the cat, Sarah, so please don't worry.
We use commas to separate introductory words (like yes, no, or well) from the rest of the sentence.
We also use commas to set off the name of a person being spoken to directly (direct address).
Sarah I fed the cat already. is missing a comma after "Sarah."
Well I think he wants more food. is missing a comma after "Well."
Question 9
Help Sir Fluffington, the dramatic cat, complete his evening diary entry by dragging the correctly punctuated words into the blanks.
When the sun finally goes down, I begin my nightly routine. I will first sprint down the hallway, and then I will loudly demand a second dinner.
When the sun finally goes down, I begin my nightly routine.
Use a comma after an introductory dependent clause (like "When the sun finally goes down") to separate it from the main sentence.
I will first sprint down the hallway, and then I will loudly demand a second dinner.
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction ("and," "but," "so") when it connects two complete, independent sentences.
Question 10
I washed the dishes, and I expect you to dry them.
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (like and, but, or so) when it connects two independent clauses (complete sentences that could stand alone).
I also swept the floor and took out the trash while you were napping.
Do not use a comma before and when it connects a compound predicate (two verbs sharing the same subject, "I").