SAT Writing : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
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Example Questions
Example Question #1835 : Improving Sentences
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Beginning many years ago the crawdad boil had become a much-loved annual tradition for campers at Lake Susanna.
Beginning many years ago the crawdad boil had become a much-loved annual tradition for campers at Lake Susanna.
Beginning many years ago, the crawdad boil had become a much-loved annual tradition for campers at Lake Susanna.
Beginning many years ago; the crawdad boil had become a much-loved annual tradition for campers at Lake Susanna.
Beginning many years ago: the crawdad boil had become a much-loved annual tradition for campers at Lake Susanna.
Beginning many years ago: the crawdad boil had become a much-loved annual tradition, for campers at Lake Susanna.
Beginning many years ago, the crawdad boil had become a much-loved annual tradition for campers at Lake Susanna.
“Beginning many years ago” is a dependent introductory clause that modifies the main independent clause here: “the crawdad boil had become a much-loved annual tradition for campers at Lake Susanna.” The two clauses in the example sentence need to be separated with a comma.
Example Question #591 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
As long as I live on Yancy Street James will have a place to spend the night, share a meal, or just hang out.
As long as I live on Yancy Street, James will have a place to spend the night, share a meal or just hang out.
As long as I live on Yancy Street, James will have a place to spend the night, share a meal, or just hang out.
As long as I live on Yancy Street: James will have a place to spend the night, share a meal, or just hang out.
As long as I live on Yancy Street; James will have a place to spend the night, share a meal, or just hang out.
As long as I live on Yancy Street James will have a place to spend the night, share a meal, or just hang out.
As long as I live on Yancy Street, James will have a place to spend the night, share a meal, or just hang out.
“As long as I live on Yancy Street” is a dependent clause, and “James will have a place to spend the night, share a meal, or just hang out” is an independent clause. Dependent clauses should be separated from independent clauses with commas. Also, don’t forget the Oxford comma before “or” in the list!
Example Question #592 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Until the detective finds the key to the code. The entire baffling mystery will remain unsolved.
Until the detective, finds the key to the code, the entire baffling mystery will remain unsolved.
Until the detective finds the key to the code, the entire baffling mystery will remain unsolved.
Until the detective finds the key to the code. The entire baffling mystery will remain unsolved.
Until the detective finds the key to the code; the entire baffling mystery will remain unsolved.
Until the detective finds the key to the code the entire baffling mystery will remain unsolved.
Until the detective finds the key to the code, the entire baffling mystery will remain unsolved.
Here, the dependent clause is “Until the detective finds the key to the code,” and the independent clause is “the entire baffling mystery will remain unsolved.” Dependent clauses should be separated from independent clauses with commas. "Until" signals that the first clause is dependent.
Example Question #331 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Before the ants arrive we should eat the picnic, that Laura packed.
Before the ants arrive; we should eat the picnic that Laura packed.
Before the ants arrive, we should eat the picnic, that Laura packed.
Before the ants arrive we should eat the picnic, that Laura packed.
Before the ants arrive we should eat the picnic that Laura packed.
Before the ants arrive, we should eat the picnic that Laura packed.
Before the ants arrive, we should eat the picnic that Laura packed.
There is no comma before “that,” since the word “that” usually indicates information that essential to the sense of the clause and therefore is rarely preceded by a comma.
Example Question #594 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
If you can help me build this lemonade stand. I’ll split the profits fifty-fifty with you.
If you can help me build this lemonade stand, I’ll split the profits fifty-fifty with you.
If you can help me build this lemonade stand: I’ll split the profits fifty-fifty with you.
If you can help me build this lemonade stand; I’ll split the profits, fifty-fifty with you.
If you can help me build this lemonade stand. I’ll split the profits fifty-fifty with you.
If you can help me build this lemonade stand; I’ll split the profits fifty-fifty with you.
If you can help me build this lemonade stand, I’ll split the profits fifty-fifty with you.
“If you can help me build this lemonade stand” is a dependent clause, and “I’ll split the profits fifty-fifty with you” is an independent clause. Dependent clauses must always be separated from independent clauses with commas. "If" is a key word signaling a dependent clause.
Example Question #332 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The hardest thing, for most new pianists to learn is the correct hand position.
The hardest thing for most new pianists to learn, is the correct hand position.
The hardest thing, for most new pianists to learn, is the correct hand position.
The hardest thing for most new pianists to learn is the correct hand position.
The hardest thing, for most new pianists, to learn is the correct hand position.
The hardest thing, for most new pianists to learn is the correct hand position.
The hardest thing for most new pianists to learn is the correct hand position.
The comma in the sentence is incorrectly deployed, as it divides a continuous phrase into two parts. The sentence should actually have no commas in it, as the sentence works as a continual phrase. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "The hardest thing for most new pianists to lean is the correct hand position."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Commas
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
"What goes around comes around" is an idiom that often does not make sense outside of a larger context.
"What goes around, comes around" is an idiom
"What goes, around, comes around" is an idiom
What goes around comes around is an idiom
"What goes around comes around" are idioms
"What goes around comes around" is an idiom
"What goes around, comes around" is an idiom
The phrase in quotation marks, "What goes around comes around," is the subject of the sentence, but described as an idiom. This means that it needs to be treated as a full sentence, because it is being referred to as a singular whole. To be a complete sentence, a comma needs to be put between its two parts, making ""What goes around, comes around" is an idiom," the correct answer choice.
Example Question #333 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Making a great deal of money, is rarely a path to happiness.
Making a great deal of money, being rarely a path to happiness.
Making a great deal of money is rarely a path to happiness.
Making a great deal of money, rarely a path to happiness.
Making, a great deal of money, is rarely a path to happiness.
Making a great deal of money, is rarely a path to happiness.
Making a great deal of money is rarely a path to happiness.
The use of the comma in the middle of this sentence is completely unnecessary and weirdly divides the sentence into two. No punctuation is needed in this sentence, and the best choice is to remove the comma. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "Making a great deal of money is rarely a path to happiness."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Commas
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Many former army commanders came out against the plan, in newspapers as soon as the story was leaked.
Many former army commanders, came out against the plan, in newspapers as soon as the story was leaked.
Many, former army commanders, came out against the plan, in newspapers as soon as the story was leaked.
Many former army commanders came out against the plan, in newspapers as soon, as the story was leaked.
Many, former army commanders came out against the plan, in newspapers as soon as the story was leaked.
Many former army commanders came out against the plan in newspapers as soon as the story was leaked.
Many former army commanders came out against the plan in newspapers as soon as the story was leaked.
The sentence does not need more commas inserted into it, but fewer. The sole usage in the sentence is a comma splice, or a random insertion of a comma where it should not be. The correct answer choice is "Many former army commanders came out against the plan in newspapers as soon as the story was leaked."
Example Question #3 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Commas
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Under no circumstances, would he let his child go to the public pool.
Under no circumstances, would he let
Under no circumstances' would he let
Under no circumstances would he let
Under, no circumstances, would he let
Under no circumstances, would he leave
Under no circumstances would he let
The use of the comma after "circumstances" is incorrect, as the verb "would" connects the conditional phrase to the rest of the sentence. This means no punctuation is necessary, so "Under no circumstances would he let" is the correct answer.
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