Name: __________________________________
Do you know the rules?
Read each sentence carefully. Choose the correct response and write the correct rule next to the sentence.
1. Which is NOT a comma rule?
a) Use commas between two or more adjectives of equal rank that modify the same noun.
b) Use commas before and after essential clauses. Use commas before and after non-essential clauses.
c) Use commas to set off the name of a person you are speaking to directly.
2. Which is NOT a comma rule?
a) Use commas to separate compound subjects and compound predicates. Don’t use commas to
separate compound subjects and compound predicates.
b) Do not use a comma to separate subjects and predicate.
c) Use commas after introductory words and phrases.
3. Which is NOT a comma rule?
a) Use commas after subordinate clauses when they start a sentence.
b) Use a comma between two adjectives when the word “and” cannot be placed in between them. Use
a comma between two adjectives when the word “and” can be placed in between them.
c) Don’t use commas between two adjectives when the order of the adjectives cannot be switched.
4. Which is NOT a comma rule?
a) Use a comma alone between two independent clauses when joining to make a compound sentence.
Use a comma and a coordinate conjunction when joining two independent clauses to make a
compound sentence.
b) Don’t use commas to separate compound subjects.
c) Use a comma after a prepositional phrase when it comes at the beginning of a sentence.
5. Which is NOT a comma rule?
a) Don’t use commas to separate compound predicates.
b) Use commas to separate items in a series.
c) Don’t use commas to set off the name of a person you are speaking to directly. Use commas to set
off the name of a person you are speaking to directly.
Read each statement and decide if it is true or false. If it is false, correct the statement.
6. True or False
Use a comma and a coordinate conjunction to join two independent clauses to make a compound sentence.
a) True
b) False
7. True or False
If two adjectives that modify the same noun can 1) switch places and 2) add the word “and” between them and
the sentence still makes sense, you do not need a comma between them.
a) True
b) False If two adjectives that modify the same noun can 1) switch places and 2) add the word “and”
between them and the sentence still make sense, you NEED a comma between them.
8. True or False
Commas are necessary to set off subordinate clauses at the end of a sentence.
a) True
b) False Commas are necessary to set off subordinate clauses at the beginning of a sentence.