Comma rules

Question 1

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• A. "Time for bed", said Mum.
• B. "Time for bed," said, Mum.
• C. "Time for bed" said Mum.
• D. "Time for bed," said Mum.

Question 2

Which sentence has the comma in the right place?

• A. The ice was thin so, we stayed off the pond.
• B. The ice was thin, so we stayed off the pond.
• C. The ice, was thin so we stayed off the pond.
• D. The ice was thin so we stayed, off the pond.

Question 3

Which sentence uses commas correctly? • We saw, lions, tigers and bears. • We saw lions, tigers, and, bears. • We saw lions, tigers and bears. • We saw lions tigers and bears.

• A. We saw, lions, tigers and bears.
• B. We saw lions, tigers, and, bears.
• C. We saw lions, tigers and bears.
• D. We saw lions tigers and bears.

Question 4

Does this sentence need a comma before the joining word? The bus was late so we walked to school.

• A. Yes: it joins two complete sentences
• B. No: it is just one sentence

Question 5

A: While the children were cooking, the pan caught fire. B: While the children were cooking the pan caught fire. Which sentence is clearer?

• A. A
• B. B

Question 6

How many commas are needed in this list (UK style, no comma before "and")? We need maths science art and music.

• A. 1
• B. 2
• C. 3
• D. 4

Question 7

What is missing from this sentence? The librarian said "Books are due back on Friday."

• A. a comma after "said"
• B. a question mark after "Friday"
• C. nothing: it is already correct
• D. a comma after "Friday", inside the speech marks

Question 8

Which sentence has the comma in the right place? • After, the storm the garden was a mess. • After the storm the garden, was a mess. • After the storm, the garden was a mess. • After the storm the garden was, a mess.

• A. After, the storm the garden was a mess.
• B. After the storm the garden, was a mess.
• C. After the storm, the garden was a mess.
• D. After the storm the garden was, a mess.

Question 9

Read the question. Which sentence means you will phone Ben?

• A. Let's call Ben.
• B. Let's call, Ben.

Question 10

Which one uses commas correctly (US style)? • Dear Grandma, • Dear, Grandma, • Dear, Grandma • Dear Grandma

• A. Dear Grandma,
• B. Dear, Grandma,
• C. Dear, Grandma
• D. Dear Grandma

Question 11

Which sentence has the comma in the right place?

• A. In, the middle of the night the owl hooted.
• B. In the middle of the night the owl, hooted.
• C. In the middle of the night, the owl hooted.
• D. In the middle, of the night the owl hooted.

Question 12

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

• A. Gran said "I made soup for lunch."
• B. Gran said, "I made soup for lunch".
• C. Gran said, "I made soup for lunch."
• D. Gran, said "I made soup for lunch."

Question 13

Which sentence has the comma in the right place?

• A. Omar brought the snacks, and Ella brought the games.
• B. Omar, brought the snacks and Ella brought the games.
• C. Omar brought, the snacks and Ella brought the games.
• D. Omar brought the snacks and, Ella brought the games.

Question 14

Which sentence uses commas correctly? • We bought apples, pears, and, plums. • We bought apples pears and plums. • We bought apples, pears and plums. • We bought, apples, pears and plums.

• A. We bought apples, pears, and, plums.
• B. We bought apples pears and plums.
• C. We bought apples, pears and plums.
• D. We bought, apples, pears and plums.

Question 15

Does this sentence need a comma before the joining word? Leo built the walls and Sam painted the roof.

• A. Yes: it joins two complete sentences
• B. No: it is just one sentence

Question 16

A: After we ate, the dog went for a walk. B: After we ate the dog went for a walk. Which sentence avoids a silly misreading?

• A. A
• B. B