PARCC Comma Usage Practice Questions 2 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which sentence correctly uses a comma with a coordinating conjunction?

She wanted to go to the movies but she was too tired.
She wanted to go to the movies, but she was too tired. (Correct answer)
She wanted to go, to the movies but she was too tired.
She, wanted to go to the movies but she was too tired.

Correct answer: She wanted to go to the movies, but she was too tired.

A comma is placed before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) when it joins two independent clauses. 'But' joins two independent clauses, so a comma precedes it.

The seven coordinating conjunctions can be remembered with the acronym FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. When a coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses (groups of words that can each stand alone as a sentence), a comma is placed immediately before the conjunction. In 'She wanted to go to the movies, but she was too tired,' both sides of 'but' are independent clauses: 'She wanted to go to the movies' (complete sentence) and 'she was too tired' (complete sentence). Therefore, a comma is required before 'but.' The other options are incorrect: omitting the comma before 'but' is a comma splice error when joining independent clauses; placing the comma after 'go' interrupts the first independent clause incorrectly; placing the comma after 'She' separates the subject from its verb. Note: if the coordinating conjunction joins two words, phrases, or dependent clauses (not two full independent clauses), no comma is needed. For example: 'She was tired but happy' requires no comma.

Question 2: Which sentence correctly uses commas with introductory elements?

After the long game the players rested.
After the long game, the players rested. (Correct answer)
After, the long game the players rested.
After the long game the, players rested.

Correct answer: After the long game, the players rested.

A comma follows an introductory phrase or clause. 'After the long game' is an introductory prepositional phrase and requires a comma before the main clause.

An introductory element is any word, phrase, or clause that appears at the beginning of a sentence before the main (independent) clause. Introductory elements include prepositional phrases, participial phrases, infinitive phrases, adverbial clauses, and transitional expressions. The rule: place a comma after an introductory element to separate it from the main clause. This comma helps the reader identify where the introduction ends and the main subject-verb relationship begins. In 'After the long game, the players rested,' the phrase 'After the long game' is an introductory prepositional phrase. The comma correctly signals the end of the introduction and the start of the main clause 'the players rested.' In general, the longer or more complex the introductory element, the more important the comma becomes for clarity. Even for shorter introductory phrases (under 4–5 words), a comma is recommended in formal writing. The PARCC exam tests both the presence and placement of commas with introductory elements.

Question 3: In which sentence are commas used correctly in a series?

I bought apples, oranges and bananas.
I bought apples, oranges, and bananas. (Correct answer)
I bought, apples oranges, and bananas.
I bought apples oranges, and bananas.

Correct answer: I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.

Items in a series are separated by commas, including before the final 'and' (the Oxford comma). 'Apples, oranges, and bananas' is correctly punctuated with commas after each item.

When listing three or more items in a series, commas are placed between each item to separate them clearly. The comma before the final conjunction (and/or) in a series is called the Oxford comma or serial comma. In 'I bought apples, oranges, and bananas,' all three items are separated by commas, and the Oxford comma appears before 'and.' This is the clearest and most standard form for American English and is expected on standardized exams like the PARCC. Without the Oxford comma ('apples, oranges and bananas'), the sentence is technically acceptable in some style guides but can occasionally create ambiguity. For example, 'I invited my parents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln' without the Oxford comma could be read as saying your parents ARE George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Options C and D incorrectly place commas: C has a comma after 'bought' which interrupts the verb-object relationship, and D omits the first comma entirely, failing to separate 'apples' and 'oranges.'

Question 4: Which sentence uses a comma correctly with a nonrestrictive clause?

The teacher who assigns the most homework is Ms. Garcia.
Ms. Garcia who is my favorite teacher assigns a lot of homework.
Ms. Garcia, who is my favorite teacher, assigns a lot of homework. (Correct answer)
The teacher, who assigns homework is Ms. Garcia.

Correct answer: Ms. Garcia, who is my favorite teacher, assigns a lot of homework.

A nonrestrictive clause adds extra information and is set off by commas. 'Who is my favorite teacher' is nonrestrictive because we already know which teacher (Ms. Garcia), so it is enclosed in commas.

Relative clauses (beginning with 'who,' 'which,' 'that') are either restrictive or nonrestrictive, and the distinction determines punctuation. A nonrestrictive clause provides additional, non-essential information about a noun that is already clearly identified. Because the information is extra (it could be removed without changing the core meaning), it is set off with commas. In 'Ms. Garcia, who is my favorite teacher, assigns a lot of homework,' the subject 'Ms. Garcia' is already a specific, named individual. The clause 'who is my favorite teacher' adds extra information but is not needed to identify which person is being discussed. Therefore, it is nonrestrictive and correctly enclosed in commas. In contrast, in 'The teacher who assigns the most homework is Ms. Garcia,' the clause 'who assigns the most homework' is restrictive—it specifies which teacher is meant. Without it, the sentence would just say 'The teacher is Ms. Garcia,' which is unclear. Restrictive clauses have no commas. Identifying whether a clause is restrictive or nonrestrictive is one of the most important comma skills on standardized tests.

Question 5: Which sentence uses a comma correctly in a date?

On July 4 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed.
On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was signed.
On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed. (Correct answer)
On July, 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Correct answer: On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed.

In a full date (month, day, year), a comma separates the day from the year, and another comma follows the year when the date appears mid-sentence.

Standard comma rules for dates in American English require: 1. A comma between the day and the year: July 4, 1776 2. A comma after the year when the date appears mid-sentence and is followed by more text In 'On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed,' the first comma separates the day (4) from the year (1776), and the second comma follows the year because the date appears in the middle of the sentence before the main clause. Common errors to avoid: - Omitting the comma between day and year (Option A) - Omitting the comma after the year when the date is in the middle of a sentence (Option B) - Adding an incorrect comma between the month and day (Option D) Note: if only the month and year are given (no specific day), no comma is used between them: 'In July 1776, the Declaration was signed.' These punctuation conventions are tested directly on the PARCC ELA assessments.

Question 6: Which sentence correctly uses a comma with a direct address?

Can you help me John?
Can you help me, John? (Correct answer)
Can, you help me John?
Can you, help me John?

Correct answer: Can you help me, John?

When directly addressing a person by name, a comma separates the name (the direct address) from the rest of the sentence. 'John' is set off with a comma because he is being directly addressed.

A direct address (also called a vocative) occurs when you speak directly to a person by name or title within a sentence. Commas are used to set off the name or title from the rest of the sentence. Rules: - If the name appears at the end of the sentence: place a comma before it. ('Can you help me, John?') - If the name appears at the beginning: place a comma after it. ('John, can you help me?') - If the name appears in the middle: place commas on both sides. ('I believe, John, that you can help me.') In 'Can you help me, John?' the comma before 'John' correctly signals that the speaker is addressing John directly, not asking someone else whether they can help John. Failing to use commas with direct addresses can cause ambiguity. The classic example: 'Let's eat, Grandma!' (let's eat together) vs. 'Let's eat Grandma!' (cannibalism). Commas in direct address are therefore not just stylistic—they can be essential to meaning.

PARCC Comma Usage Practice Questions 2

Which sentence correctly uses a comma with a coordinating conjunction?