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Practice 4. Punctuation with Coordinating Conjunctions | (intermediate)

Instructions

Based on the whole unit on coordinating conjunctions, select the sentence using the correct punctuation. When you click A or B, you will see if your selection is correct or incorrect.

Note. Your answers will not be submitted. When you leave this page, they will be deleted.

PDF Handout

A. The children enjoy going to the park, and playing with the other children.

B.  The children enjoy going to the park and playing with the other children.

Incorrect!

The portion after the coordinating conjunction (and) is not a complete sentence, so no comma is needed.

Correct!

Good job! The portion after the coordinating conjunction (and) is not a complete sentence, so no comma is needed.

A. Professor Ecks gave students a great deal of work to do, but students loved him.

B. Professor Ecks gave students a great deal of work to do but students loved him.

Correct!

Right! The coordinating conjunction “but” is used to connect two complete sentences, so you need a comma to separate them.

Incorrect!

Sorry! The coordinating conjunction “but” is used to connect two complete sentences, so you need a comma to separate them

A. Everyone worked hard in the course, and yet many students failed.

B. Everyone worked hard in the course and yet, many students failed.

Correct!

Good job! When you connect two complete sentences, you need a comma before the coordinating conjunction.

Incorrect!

The comma needs to go before — not after — the coordinating conjunction “and yet.”

A. I’d like to order a pizza, and have it delivered to this address, please.

B. I’d like to order a pizza and have it delivered to this address, please.

Incorrect!

Sorry… The subject in “have it delivered” is omitted, so you do not need a comma.

Correct!

You’re right! You need a comma before “and” because it is combining two complete sentences.

A. Many people want to learn programming, for this skill opens up many opportunities.

B. Many people want to learn programming for this skill opens up many opportunities.

Correct!

That’s right! To join two complete sentences, you need a comma before the coordinating conjunction (”for”).

Incorrect!

Look closely. When you join two complete sentences, you need a comma before the coordinating conjunction (”for”).

A. Students should not cheat, nor should they help other students cheat.

B. Students should not cheat nor should they help other students cheat.

Correct!

You’re doing great! The coordinating conjunction “nor” is being used to connect two complete sentences, so you need a comma before it.

Incorrect!

Both sentences are complete (that is, they have a subject and a verb). The subject of the first and second parts are “students” and “they.” You need a comma before the coordinating conjunction “nor."

A. You can call me, or send me an email.

B. You can call me or send me an email.

Incorrect!

The subject of the second part of the sentence is omitted, so it is not a complete sentence. You only use a comma before the coordinating conjunction when you join two complete sentences.

Correct!

Good job! The subject of the second part of the sentence is omitted, so it is not a complete sentence. You only use a comma before the coordinating conjunction when you join two complete sentences.

A. I think I left my wallet in the office, or else I lost it on the way home.

B. I think I left my wallet in the office or else, I lost it on the way home.

Correct!

Good job!

Incorrect!

Sorry! If you look closer, you will see the comma should be before — not after — the coordinating conjunction “or else.”

A. The teacher gave the students homework, but forgot to tell them when it was due.

B. The teacher gave the students homework but forgot to tell them when it was due.

Incorrect!

The second part of the sentence is not a complete sentence as the subject is omitted. You only use a comma before the coordinating conjunction when combining two complete sentences.

Correct!

You’re right! The part after “but” is not a complete sentence, so you do not need a comma.

A. Linda promised to come, and yet, she never showed up.

B. Linda promised to come, and yet she never showed up.

Incorrect!

Look closely. You need a comma only before “and yet." The second comma should not be there.

Correct!

Great job! A comma is needed before “and yet” because it is combining two complete sentences.

More Practice

Check out the List of Exercises for more practice using coordinating conjunctions.

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