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Quizzes > English & Grammar

Comma Practice Quiz: Master Rules and Placement

Quick, free comma rules quiz with real sentences. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Ac Dennisse VillagraciaUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper cut illustration with bold comma shapes and sentence fragments on golden yellow background for comma usage quiz.

Use this comma practice quiz to check comma placement and apply core rules in real sentences. For deeper practice, review when to use a comma, test your structure with a complex sentences quiz, and fix common mistakes with a run-on sentence quiz. See answers instantly to learn from mistakes.

Choose the sentence with correct comma use for an introductory adverbial clause.
When, the bell rang the class ended.
When the bell rang the class ended.
When the bell, rang the class ended.
When the bell rang, the class ended.
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In American English, a comma should separate a city from its state.
False
True
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Select the sentence that correctly uses a comma before a coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses.
She studied for hours, and passed the exam.
She studied for hours and she passed the exam.
She studied for hours, and she passed the exam.
She studied for hours and, she passed the exam.
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After an introductory single-word interjection like Yes or No, use a comma.
True
False
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Choose the correctly punctuated series (American style).
We bought, apples, oranges, and grapes.
We bought apples oranges, and grapes.
We bought apples, oranges and grapes.
We bought apples, oranges, and grapes.
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Select the sentence that avoids a comma between a subject and its verb.
The final decision was, announced today.
The final decision was announced today.
The final, decision was announced today.
The final decision, was announced today.
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Pick the sentence that correctly sets off a nonessential appositive.
My brother Jake, is visiting tomorrow.
My brother, Jake is visiting tomorrow.
My brother, Jake, is visiting tomorrow.
My brother Jake is visiting tomorrow.
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Use commas to set off a state when it follows a city and appears mid-sentence.
False
True
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Cumulative adjectives that do not equally modify a noun should not be separated by commas.
True
False
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Pick the sentence that correctly punctuates a nonessential relative clause with which.
The car which is red needs gas.
The car, which is red, needs gas.
The car which, is red needs gas.
The car, which is red needs gas.
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Essential clauses beginning with that are not set off by commas.
True
False
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Select the sentence that correctly sets off a nonessential absolute phrase.
Her arms, folded the coach waited.
Her arms folded, the coach waited.
Her arms folded the, coach waited.
Her arms folded the coach waited.
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Choose the sentence that correctly uses commas with an interrupter like however in the middle of a sentence.
The plan, however is sound.
The plan however, is sound.
The plan however is sound.
The plan, however, is sound.
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When such as introduces a nonessential example list, set it off with a comma when it follows the main noun.
False
True
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Pick the correctly punctuated sentence using too as a nonessential interrupter in the middle.
I would like too to, attend.
I would like, too, to attend.
I would like too, to attend.
I would, like too to attend.
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Place a comma after e.g. or i.e. when used in running text.
False
True
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Choose the sentence that correctly punctuates a coordinate list in which one item contains a conjunction.
We invited the chairman the vice chair and treasurer, and the secretary.
We invited the chairman, the vice chair, and treasurer and the secretary.
We invited the chairman, the vice chair and treasurer and the secretary.
We invited the chairman, the vice chair and treasurer, and the secretary.
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A comma is required before every which regardless of whether the clause is essential.
True
False
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Choose the sentence that correctly uses a comma before nor when joining independent clauses.
He did not speak nor did he smile.
He did not speak, nor did he smile.
He did not speak nor, did he smile.
He, did not speak nor did he smile.
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Pick the sentence that correctly sets off a nonessential where clause.
We visited the museum where the exhibit opened last year.
We visited the museum, where the exhibit opened last year.
We visited the museum, where the exhibit opened, last year.
We visited the museum where, the exhibit opened last year.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Comma Fundamentals -

    Learn the core rules of comma usage, including when to use commas in lists, between clauses, and after introductory phrases.

  2. Identify Complex Comma Usage -

    Recognize the correct placement of commas in compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences to improve clarity.

  3. Apply Comma Rules in Writing -

    Practice placing commas accurately in sample sentences and feel confident applying these rules in your own writing.

  4. Distinguish Essential vs. Nonessential Clauses -

    Differentiate between restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses to know when commas are required or omitted.

  5. Correct Common Comma Errors -

    Identify and fix frequent comma mistakes, such as comma splices and missing commas in lists or dates.

  6. Evaluate Sentence Punctuation -

    Assess sentences for proper comma usage and understand the impact of punctuation choices on readability.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Series Separation -

    Use commas to separate three or more items in a list, ensuring clarity in your comma usage quiz. The Oxford comma, as recommended by the Purdue OWL, resolves ambiguity - e.g., "red, white, and blue."

  2. Introductory Phrases -

    Place a comma after introductory words, phrases, or clauses to signal a natural pause and sharpen sentence flow in your comma placement test. For example, "After the meeting, we'll grab lunch," as guided by the Chicago Manual of Style.

  3. Nonrestrictive Clauses -

    Surround nonessential clauses with commas so removing them doesn't alter your sentence's core meaning - practice this in the proper comma usage quiz. For instance, "My car, which I bought last year, needs maintenance," following University of Oxford guidelines.

  4. Coordinate Adjectives -

    Insert a comma between adjectives of equal weight that independently modify a noun, checking with the "and" test (e.g., "bright and sunny"). Thus, "It was a bright, sunny day" earns top marks on any comma punctuation quiz, per Purdue OWL advice.

  5. Compound Sentences -

    Add a comma before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) linking two independent clauses to maintain clarity, a staple concept in any comma rules quiz. Example: "I studied hard, but I still felt nervous," endorsed by the Chicago Manual of Style.

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