Comma Rules — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
My teacher Mrs. Lopez gave us extra recess time today.
Corrected: My teacher, Mrs. Lopez, gave us extra recess time today.
"Mrs. Lopez" is an appositive that renames "my teacher," so it needs a comma on each side to show it is extra information.
2. Fix the sentence:
We visited the zoo the aquarium and the science museum on our field trip.
Corrected: We visited the zoo, the aquarium, and the science museum on our field trip.
Three places are listed in a series, so commas must separate them: zoo, aquarium, and science museum, including the Oxford comma before "and."
3. Fix the sentence:
Our dog Buster a golden retriever loves to play fetch in the yard.
Corrected: Our dog Buster, a golden retriever, loves to play fetch in the yard.
"A golden retriever" is an appositive giving extra detail about Buster, so it must be enclosed in commas to set it apart from the rest of the sentence.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. An appositive is a noun or phrase that renames another noun right beside it.
An appositive renames the noun next to it, like "my sister" renaming "Emma" in "Emma, my sister, laughed."
2. In a list of three items, the comma before "and" is called the Oxford comma.
The Oxford comma (also called the serial comma) is the one placed right before "and" in a list of three or more items to prevent confusion.
3. When an appositive appears in the middle of a sentence, it needs a comma on each side.
A mid-sentence appositive interrupts the main clause, so it needs a comma before and after it to show readers where the extra information starts and stops.
4. The sentence "I enjoy reading, drawing, and swimming" has three items in the series.
Count each activity separated by commas: reading, drawing, and swimming make three items in this series.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Write a sentence about your school that includes an appositive set off by commas.
Sample answer: Our principal, Mr. Garcia, announced a surprise assembly for the whole school.
A good answer includes: Our principal, Mr. Garcia, announced a surprise assembly for the whole school.
2. Why is it important to use commas in a list of three or more items? Give an example.
Sample answer: Commas in a list help the reader tell each item apart. For example, without commas, "I saw tigers bears and monkeys" might confuse a reader about whether "tigers bears" is one item or two.
A good answer includes: Commas in a list help the reader tell each item apart. For example, without commas, "I saw tigers bears and monkeys" might confuse a reader about whether "tigers bears" is one item or two.