comma practice
use commas to separate three or more items in a list. the comma before the \and\ in the example below is called the oxford comma. while it is technically optional, it will only increase the clarity of your sentences.
→ i need to buy kiwis, coconuts, and limes.
use a comma to separate a dependent clause from an independent clause if the dependent clause comes first. a dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence, while an independent clause can.
in the following examples, the dependent clauses are underlined and the independent clauses are italicized.
→ whenever i write an essay, i get confused about where to put commas. (yes, you need a comma.)
→ im going to the park if the weather is nice tomorrow. (no, you do not need a comma.)
use a comma to separate two independent clauses when they are joined together by one of the \fanboys.\ again, independent clauses are clauses that form a complete sentences on their own.
fanboys: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
→ we can drive to the beach, or we can take a bus.
correct the following sentences by adding commas where they need to go in the following sentences.
1. after our game with central high school our bus broke down.
2. he drove through illinois indiana and kentucky.
3. he read hamlet macbeth and romeo and juliet.
4. the rain continued for an hour so the game was called off.
5. i ate breakfast read the paper and went to work.
6. give us your address and telephone number before you leave.
7. your handwriting is sloppy but your punctuation is perfect.
8. while i worked at the restaurant i learned about food.
9. we went swimming boating and fishing
10. i get sunburned whenever i go to the beach.

Question

Accepted Answer

### 1. Sentence: After our game with Central High School our bus broke down.
# Explanation:
## Step1: Identify clause types.
The sentence has a dependent clause "After our game with Central High School" (cannot stand alone) and an independent clause "our bus broke down" (can stand alone). The dependent clause comes first.
## Step2: Apply comma rule.
Use a comma to separate the dependent clause from the independent clause when the dependent clause is first.
# Answer: After our game with Central High School, our bus broke down.

### 2. Sentence: He drove through Illinois Indiana and Kentucky.
# Explanation:
## Step1: Identify list items.
The items in the list of places are "Illinois", "Indiana", "Kentucky".
## Step2: Apply list comma rule.
Use commas to separate three or more items in a list. Add commas between the items.
# Answer: He drove through Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky.

### 3. Sentence: He read Hamlet Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet.
# Explanation:
## Step1: Identify list items.
The items in the list of works are "Hamlet", "Macbeth", "Romeo and Juliet".
## Step2: Apply list comma rule.
Use commas to separate three or more items in a list. Add commas between the items.
# Answer: He read Hamlet, Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet.

### 4. Sentence: The rain continued for an hour so the game was called off.
# Explanation:
## Step1: Identify clause types.
There are two independent clauses: "The rain continued for an hour" and "the game was called off", joined by "so" (a FANBOYS conjunction).
## Step2: Apply FANBOYS comma rule.
Use a comma before the FANBOYS conjunction when joining two independent clauses.
# Answer: The rain continued for an hour, so the game was called off.

### 5. Sentence: I ate breakfast read the paper and went to work.
# Explanation:
## Step1: Identify list items (verbs/actions).
The actions are "ate breakfast", "read the paper", "went to work".
## Step2: Apply list comma rule.
Use commas to separate three or more items in a list. Add commas between the items.
# Answer: I ate breakfast, read the paper, and went to work.

### 6. Sentence: Give us your address and telephone number before you leave.
# Explanation:
## Step1: Analyze clause order.
The independent clause "Give us your address and telephone number" comes first, and the dependent clause "before you leave" comes second. No comma needed between independent and dependent clause when dependent is second. But check list items: "address" and "telephone number" are two items, no comma between them (only need commas for three or more in a list). Wait, the main issue here is no list of three, but the original sentence is correct? Wait, no, the sentence structure: "Give us your address and telephone number" (independent) "before you leave" (dependent, second). But the problem is to add commas where needed. Wait, the items "address" and "telephone number" are two, so no comma between them. The dependent clause is second, so no comma between independent and dependent. Wait, maybe I misread. Wait, the sentence is "Give us your address and telephone number before you leave." Is there a mistake? Wait, no, the rule for dependent clause second: no comma. And two items in list: no comma. So maybe the sentence is correct? Wait, no, maybe the user made a typo? Wait, no, the original sentence: "Give us your address and telephone number before you leave." Let's check again. The independent clause is "Give us your address and telephone number", dependent clause "before you leave" (second). So no comma needed between them. And "address" and "telephone number" are two items, so no comma between them. Wait, but maybe the problem is that "address" and "telephone number" are two items, so no comma. So the correct sentence is as is? Wait, no, maybe I missed. Wait, the instruction is to add commas where needed. So maybe this sentence is correct? Wait, no, let's re-express. "Give us your address and telephone number before you leave." There are no commas needed here. Wait, but maybe the original problem has a different intent. Wait, perhaps the user intended a different structure. But based on the rules, this sentence is correct. Wait, but maybe I made a mistake. Let's check the rules again. The rules are: list (three or more), dependent clause first, FANBOYS. This sentence has two items in list, dependent clause second. So no commas. So the answer is the same as original? Wait, no, maybe the problem is that "address" and "telephone number" are two items, so no comma. So:
# Answer: Give us your address and telephone number before you leave. (No commas needed here as per the rules given, since it's two items in a list and dependent clause is second.)

### 7. Sentence: Your handwriting is sloppy but your punctuation is perfect.
# Explanation:
## Step1: Identify clause types.
Two independent clauses: "Your handwriting is sloppy" and "your punctuation is perfect", joined by "but" (a FANBOYS conjunction).
## Step2: Apply FANBOYS comma rule.
Use a comma before the FANBOYS conjunction when joining two independent clauses.
# Answer: Your handwriting is sloppy, but your punctuation is perfect.

### 8. Sentence: While I worked at the restaurant I learned about food.
# Explanation:
## Step1: Identify clause types.
Dependent clause "While I worked at the restaurant" (first), independent clause "I learned about food" (second).
## Step2: Apply dependent clause first comma rule.
Use a comma to separate the dependent clause from the independent clause when the dependent clause is first.
# Answer: While I worked at the restaurant, I learned about food.

### 9. Sentence: We went swimming boating and fishing.
# Explanation:
## Step1: Identify list items.
Items in the list of activities: "swimming", "boating", "fishing".
## Step2: Apply list comma rule.
Use commas to separate three or more items in a list. Add commas between the items.
# Answer: We went swimming, boating, and fishing.

### 10. Sentence: I get sunburned whenever I go to the beach.
# Explanation:
## Step1: Identify clause types.
Dependent clause "whenever I go to the beach" (second), independent clause "I get sunburned" (first).
## Step2: Apply dependent clause second rule.
No comma needed between independent and dependent clause when dependent is second.
# Answer: I get sunburned whenever I go to the beach. (No comma needed here as per the rules given, since dependent clause is second.)

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QUESTION IMAGE

Question

Explanation:

1. Sentence: After our game with Central High School our bus broke down.

Step1: Identify clause types.

Step2: Apply comma rule.

Step1: Identify list items.

Step2: Apply list comma rule.

Step1: Identify list items.

Step2: Apply list comma rule.

Answer:

2. Sentence: He drove through Illinois Indiana and Kentucky.