Get ready to sharpen your grammar skills with our comma usage quiz, crafted for writers, students, and professionals eager to perfect punctuation. In this interactive comma rules quiz, you'll tackle real-life sentences, put comma placement to the test, and strengthen your grasp of essential guidelines - from serial lists to introductory phrases. Explore our hands-on punctuation practice test for instant feedback , then revisit tricky scenarios with a focused comma usage rules quiz . Friendly, motivating, and free, this quiz challenges you to apply proper comma usage, spot missing pauses, and boost your confidence. Ready to prove you've mastered every comma? Start now and watch your writing shine!
Select the sentence that correctly uses a comma after an introductory adverbial phrase.
After the show we went to dinner.
After the show, we went to dinner.
After, the show we went to dinner.
After the show we went, to dinner.
When an adverbial phrase opens a sentence, it should be followed by a comma to separate it from the main clause. In this case, “After the show” is an introductory phrase and needs a comma for clarity. Without the comma, the reader might momentarily misread the phrase as part of the subject. For more details, see Purdue OWL.
Choose the sentence that correctly uses commas in a series.
I bought apples bananas and cherries.
I bought apples, bananas and cherries.
I bought apples, bananas, and cherries.
I bought, apples, bananas, cherries.
In a list of three or more items, each item should be separated by a comma, including before the conjunction in the Oxford (serial) comma style. This improves clarity and prevents misreading. The third option correctly places commas between all items. For more on serial commas, see Grammarly.
Identify the sentence that correctly places a comma between coordinate adjectives.
It was a long hot day.
It was a long, hot day.
It was, a long hot day.
It was long, hot day.
Coordinate adjectives equally modify the noun and should be separated by a comma. You can test this by reversing the adjectives or inserting “and” between them; if it still sounds correct, a comma is needed. “Long” and “hot” both describe “day” equally, so a comma is required. Learn more at Purdue OWL.
Which sentence correctly uses a comma before a coordinating conjunction joining independent clauses?
I wanted to go to the movies but I had to work.
I wanted to go to the movies, but I had to work.
I wanted to go, to the movies but I had to work.
I wanted to go to the movies but, I had to work.
When two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), a comma should precede the conjunction. This clarifies the boundary between the clauses. The second option correctly places a comma before “but.” For further guidance, see GrammarBook.
Which sentence incorrectly inserts a comma between the subject and the verb?
The cat, sat on the mat.
The cat sat on the mat.
After lunch, we went to the park.
My sister, who is a doctor, lives in Seattle.
A comma should never separate the subject and its verb, as it disrupts the grammatical connection. In the first sentence, the comma erroneously divides “The cat” (subject) from “sat” (verb). The other sentences either correctly use a comma in an introductory phrase or around a nonrestrictive clause. See Purdue OWL for rules on comma placement.
Select the sentence that correctly uses a comma for direct address.
John please sit down.
John, please sit down.
John please, sit down.
John, please, sit down.
When directly addressing someone, their name or title should be set off by a comma. In the second sentence, a comma follows “John” before moving to the main request. The other options either omit the comma or add an unnecessary extra comma. For more on direct address, see Grammarphobia.
Which sentence correctly uses a comma with a tag question?
You're coming aren't you?
You're coming, aren't you?
You're coming aren't, you?
You're, coming aren't you?
Tag questions are attached to the end of a main clause and should be preceded by a comma. This comma signals the shift from the statement to the question tag. The second option places the comma correctly before “aren’t you.” For more on tag questions, visit EF Education First.
Choose the sentence that correctly uses commas with a date.
On July 4, 1776, the Declaration was signed.
On July, 4 1776 the Declaration was signed.
On July 4 1776 the Declaration was signed,
On July 4 1776, the Declaration was signed.
In American style, a full date in the middle of a sentence requires a comma after the day–year combination and another comma after the year. The first option correctly places commas after “4” and after “1776.” For date punctuation rules, see Chicago Manual of Style.
Which sentence correctly uses commas with a nonrestrictive relative clause?
My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting.
My brother who lives in New York is visiting.
My brother who lives in New York, is visiting.
My brother, who lives in New York is visiting.
Nonrestrictive (nonessential) clauses add extra information and must be enclosed in commas. In the first sentence, the clause “who lives in New York” is nonessential and correctly set off by commas. Without those commas, it implies there’s more than one brother. See Purdue OWL for details.
Where should commas be placed in the sentence: “My friend Lisa loves hiking.”?
My friend Lisa loves hiking.
My friend, Lisa, loves hiking.
My friend Lisa, loves hiking.
My friend, Lisa loves hiking.
An appositive that renames a noun and provides nonessential detail must be enclosed in commas. “Lisa” renames “My friend,” so it should be flanked by commas. This clarifies that the speaker has only one friend being mentioned. For appositives, see Grammarly.
Select the sentence that correctly uses commas in an address.
Please send the package to 123 Main Street, Seattle, Washington, 98101.
Please send the package to 123 Main Street Seattle, Washington, 98101.
Please send the package to 123 Main Street, Seattle Washington 98101.
Please send the package to 123 Main Street Seattle Washington 98101,
When writing a full address in a sentence, commas separate the street, city, state, and ZIP code. The first option correctly places commas after “Street,” after “Seattle,” and after “Washington.” This format prevents misreading. For more on address punctuation, see Purdue OWL.
Which of the following sentences contains a comma splice?
I love reading, it relaxes me.
I love reading; it relaxes me.
I love reading. It relaxes me.
I love reading and it relaxes me.
A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined only by a comma without a coordinating conjunction. The first sentence improperly connects two complete thoughts with just a comma. Correct fixes include using a semicolon or adding a conjunction. See UNC Writing Center for more.
Identify the correctly punctuated sentence with the transitional word however.
I wanted to leave however, the rain stopped me.
I wanted to leave; however the rain stopped me.
I wanted to leave; however, the rain stopped me.
I wanted to leave however; the rain stopped me.
When “however” joins two independent clauses, it should be preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma. This punctuation properly sets off the transitional phrase. The third option follows this rule. For more on transitions, see EF Education First.
Which sentence correctly uses a comma in an elliptical construction?
She can play the piano and he the violin.
She can play the piano, and he the violin.
She can play the piano and, he the violin.
She can play the piano, and, he the violin.
In an elliptical construction where repeated words are omitted, a comma before the coordinating conjunction clarifies the pause between clauses. The second option correctly separates the two independent thoughts. Without the comma, the sentence may confuse the reader. See GrammarBook for more.
Which sentence correctly uses a comma to join two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction?
He studied hard, so he passed the exam.
He studied hard so, he passed the exam.
He studied hard; so, he passed the exam.
He studied hard so he passed the exam.
When two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction like “so,” a comma should come before the conjunction. This signals the link between cause and effect clearly. The first option follows this rule. For more on coordinating conjunctions, see Grammarly.
Where should a comma be placed in the sentence: “To win the game you must practice daily.”?
To win the game you must practice daily.
To win, the game you must practice daily.
To win the game, you must practice daily.
To win the game you, must practice daily.
An introductory infinitive phrase such as “To win the game” needs a comma before the main clause. This comma marks the boundary and aids readability. The third option correctly places the comma after the introductory phrase. For more guidance, see Purdue OWL.
Identify the sentence with correct comma usage in dialogue.
"I'm not sure" he said, "that this is right."
"I'm not sure," he said "that this is right."
"I'm not sure," he said, "that this is right."
"I'm not sure," he said, "that this is right".
When a dialogue tag interrupts a quoted sentence, commas go inside the quotation marks before and after the tag. The third option places commas correctly: one inside before the tag and one after the tag inside the second quote. For more on punctuating dialogue, see UNC Writing Center.
In which sentence is the interjection correctly set off by commas?
Well I suppose I could try.
Well, I suppose, I could try.
Well, I suppose I could try.
Well I suppose, I could try.
A single-word interjection at the start of a sentence should be followed by a comma. In the third option, “Well” is correctly separated by a comma, and no unnecessary commas follow. This improves flow and clarity. For additional examples, visit Grammarly.
Choose the sentence that correctly uses commas with a parenthetical phrase.
The cake, which was homemade tastes delicious.
The cake which was homemade, tastes delicious.
The cake, which was homemade, tastes delicious.
The cake which was homemade tastes delicious.
Parenthetical (nonessential) phrases add information that can be omitted without altering sentence meaning and must be enclosed in commas. The third option correctly places commas around “which was homemade.” For more parenthetical comma rules, see Purdue OWL.
Which sentence correctly avoids an unnecessary comma after an introductory negative adverb?
Never, have I seen such chaos.
Never have I seen such chaos.
Never, seen have I such chaos.
Never have, I seen such chaos.
Introductory negative adverbs (e.g., never, rarely) in short inverts do not require a comma. The second option correctly omits the comma after “Never.” Adding a comma here creates a mispause and is grammatically incorrect. For more, see Daily Writing Tips.
Which sentence correctly uses commas in an American date format?
On August 15 2021 we arrived.
On August 15, 2021 we arrived.
On August 15, 2021, we arrived.
On August 15, 2021 we, arrived.
American style places commas after the day and after the year when the date appears mid-sentence. The third option correctly uses both commas. This format prevents misreading of dates. For date style rules, refer to Chicago Manual of Style.
Choose the sentence that correctly follows Oxford comma convention.
The flag is red, white, and blue.
The flag is red, white and blue.
The flag is red white, and blue.
The flag is red, white and, blue.
The Oxford (serial) comma is placed before the conjunction in a list of three or more items. The first sentence correctly includes this comma, ensuring each item is distinct. Omission can lead to ambiguity. See Grammarly for details.
Identify the correctly punctuated sentence with a quotation and a coordinating conjunction.
The professor said, "The exam is hard", but we studied anyway.
The professor said "The exam is hard," but we studied anyway.
The professor said, "The exam is hard," but we studied anyway.
The professor said, "The exam is hard," but, we studied anyway.
When a quoted sentence ends before a coordinating conjunction, place a comma inside the closing quotation mark, then the conjunction. The third option correctly sets off the quote and connects the clauses with “but.” For more on quotes and commas, see Purdue OWL.
Which sentence correctly uses commas in a cleft construction?
It was her generosity, that impressed me the most.
It was her generosity that impressed me the most.
It was, her generosity that impressed me the most.
It was her generosity that impressed, me the most.
Cleft sentences (It was X that…) do not require commas around the clause. The second sentence correctly omits unnecessary commas, preserving the cleft structure. Inserting commas would falsely mark the clause as parenthetical. For more, see Daily Writing Tips.
Which sentence correctly sets off an absolute phrase with a comma?
Weather permitting, we will go hiking tomorrow.
Weather, permitting we will go hiking tomorrow.
Weather permitting we, will go hiking tomorrow.
Weather permitting we will go, hiking tomorrow.
An absolute phrase modifies the entire sentence and is set off by a comma. In the first option, “Weather permitting” correctly precedes the main clause with a comma. Misplacing or omitting the comma disrupts this modifier. For advanced comma usage, see Grammarly.
Choose the sentence that correctly uses a comma after an introductory concessive clause.
Lovely though it was the night turned cold.
Lovely though it was, the night turned cold.
Lovely, though it was the night turned cold.
Lovely though, it was the night turned cold.
Concessive clauses (e.g., “Lovely though it was”) at the beginning of a sentence should end with a comma before the main clause. The second option correctly sets off the concessive phrase. Placing the comma elsewhere would confuse the clause boundary. For more, see Purdue OWL.
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Study Outcomes
Understand Comma Fundamentals -
Learn the core rules of comma usage, including when to use commas in lists, between clauses, and after introductory phrases.
Identify Complex Comma Usage -
Recognize the correct placement of commas in compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences to improve clarity.
Apply Comma Rules in Writing -
Practice placing commas accurately in sample sentences and feel confident applying these rules in your own writing.
Distinguish Essential vs. Nonessential Clauses -
Differentiate between restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses to know when commas are required or omitted.
Correct Common Comma Errors -
Identify and fix frequent comma mistakes, such as comma splices and missing commas in lists or dates.
Evaluate Sentence Punctuation -
Assess sentences for proper comma usage and understand the impact of punctuation choices on readability.
Cheat Sheet
Series Separation -
Use commas to separate three or more items in a list, ensuring clarity in your comma usage quiz. The Oxford comma, as recommended by the Purdue OWL, resolves ambiguity - e.g., "red, white, and blue."
Introductory Phrases -
Place a comma after introductory words, phrases, or clauses to signal a natural pause and sharpen sentence flow in your comma placement test. For example, "After the meeting, we'll grab lunch," as guided by the Chicago Manual of Style.
Nonrestrictive Clauses -
Surround nonessential clauses with commas so removing them doesn't alter your sentence's core meaning - practice this in the proper comma usage quiz. For instance, "My car, which I bought last year, needs maintenance," following University of Oxford guidelines.
Coordinate Adjectives -
Insert a comma between adjectives of equal weight that independently modify a noun, checking with the "and" test (e.g., "bright and sunny"). Thus, "It was a bright, sunny day" earns top marks on any comma punctuation quiz, per Purdue OWL advice.
Compound Sentences -
Add a comma before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) linking two independent clauses to maintain clarity, a staple concept in any comma rules quiz. Example: "I studied hard, but I still felt nervous," endorsed by the Chicago Manual of Style.
