Use these comma usage sample questions to review commas in compound sentences, coordinate adjectives, direct address, interrupting phrases, dates, quotations, tag questions, and compound predicates.
Directions: The underlined portion of each sentence may contain a punctuation error. Choose the best replacement, or select No error if the underlined portion is already correct.
Topics Covered
- Coordinate adjectives
- Direct address
- Interrupting phrases
- Dates in month-day-year format
- Independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions
- Direct quotations
- Tag questions
- Compound predicates
- When not to use a comma
Sample Questions
Stephen was away at camp, but we met his mother, father, sister, and brother.
- A. camp but
- B. camp; but
- C. camp, and
- D. No error
Show Answer
The underlined section is correct.
The comma before but separates two independent clauses: Stephen was away at camp and we met his mother, father, sister, and brother.
They lived in a large rambling house across the street from the school.
- A. large, rambling house
- B. large rambling, house
- C. large and rambling, house
- D. No error
Show Answer
The adjectives large and rambling independently describe the house.
Coordinate adjectives should be separated with a comma: a large, rambling house.
He was a sickly underdeveloped baby.
- A. sickly, underdeveloped baby
- B. sickly underdeveloped, baby
- C. sickly and underdeveloped, baby
- D. No error
Show Answer
The adjectives sickly and underdeveloped both describe baby independently.
The corrected sentence is: He was a sickly, underdeveloped baby.
Will you John be willing to take on this project?
- A. you, John, be
- B. you, John be
- C. you John, be
- D. No error
Show Answer
A name used in direct address should be set off with commas.
The corrected sentence is: Will you, John, be willing to take on this project?
We are as you may be aware very excited about the upcoming renovations.
- A. are, as you may be aware, very
- B. are as you may be aware, very
- C. are, as you may be aware very
- D. No error
Show Answer
The phrase as you may be aware interrupts the main sentence and should be set off with commas.
The corrected sentence is: We are, as you may be aware, very excited about the upcoming renovations.
On July 4 2026 the museum will offer free admission.
- A. July 4, 2026, the museum
- B. July 4, 2026 the museum
- C. July, 4 2026, the museum
- D. No error
Show Answer
In the month-day-year format, place a comma after the day and another comma after the year when the sentence continues.
The corrected sentence is: On July 4, 2026, the museum will offer free admission.
Maya prepared the slides and Leo checked the data.
- A. slides, and Leo checked
- B. slides and, Leo checked
- C. slides; and Leo checked
- D. No error
Show Answer
The sentence contains two independent clauses joined by and.
Place a comma before the coordinating conjunction: Maya prepared the slides, and Leo checked the data.
You can help me with this, can’t you?
- A. this can’t you?
- B. this; can’t you?
- C. this—can’t you?
- D. No error
Show Answer
The underlined section is correct.
A comma separates the main statement from the tag question can’t you?
She said, “How do you do?”
- A. said “How
- B. said: “How
- C. said; “How
- D. No error
Show Answer
The underlined section is correct.
A comma commonly introduces a short direct quotation after a reporting phrase such as she said.
He considered the proposal, but did not actually adopt it.
- A. proposal but did
- B. proposal; but did
- C. proposal, but, did
- D. No error
Show Answer
The sentence has one subject, He, and two verb phrases.
Because the subject is not repeated after but, no comma is needed: He considered the proposal but did not actually adopt it.
How to Use These Questions
Compare each answer choice only with the underlined portion. Read the complete sentence after making the replacement to confirm that the punctuation and sentence structure work together.
Do not insert a comma simply because you hear a pause. A comma should perform a grammatical function and should not separate a subject from its verb, a verb from its object, or the parts of a compound predicate.
Last Updated: July 27, 2026