Comma Rules — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
I wanted to play outside but it started raining after lunch.
Corrected: I wanted to play outside, but it started raining after lunch.
The corrected sentence is: "I wanted to play outside, but it started raining after lunch.". The original sentence "I wanted to play outside but it started raining after lunch." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
2. Fix the sentence:
Can you help me with this math problem Jake?
Corrected: Can you help me with this math problem, Jake?
The corrected sentence is: "Can you help me with this math problem, Jake?". The original sentence "Can you help me with this math problem Jake?" contained an error that needed to be fixed.
3. Fix the sentence:
We finished our project early so the teacher let us read quietly.
Corrected: We finished our project early, so the teacher let us read quietly.
The corrected sentence is: "We finished our project early, so the teacher let us read quietly.". The original sentence "We finished our project early so the teacher let us read quietly." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The acronym FANBOYS stands for For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So.
FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So — the seven coordinating conjunctions.
2. In a compound sentence, place a comma before the coordinating conjunction.
The comma goes BEFORE the coordinating conjunction: 'I studied, but I was tired.'
3. When you speak directly to someone by name in a sentence, use a comma to set off the name.
Direct address requires a comma to set off the person's name: 'Thank you, Maria.'
4. The sentence "I studied hard, and I still got a good grade" needs the conjunction "and" or "so."
'And' (or 'so') connects two independent clauses; a comma precedes the conjunction.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Write a compound sentence using the conjunction "but" with the comma in the correct place.
Sample answer: I wanted to stay up late, but my parents said I had to go to bed by nine.
The comma precedes 'but' when it joins two independent clauses.
2. Explain why a comma is needed in the sentence "Thank you, Mrs. Rivera."
Sample answer: A comma is needed because "Mrs. Rivera" is a direct address, meaning the speaker is talking directly to that person, so a comma separates the greeting from the name.
Direct address (talking to someone by name) always requires a comma to set off the name.