Commas: lists and introductory elements — Digital SAT Reading & Writing practice
Series, introductory phrases and coordinate adjectives.
Key ideas to know
Commas in a Series
Choose the correct punctuation for the list: The chef gathered flour, sugar ___ and butter for the cake.
Add a comma before and: flour, sugar, and butter. The SAT requires a comma between every item in a series of three or more, including the final one.
Watch out: Omitting the final comma before and can make lists ambiguous or mark them incorrect on the Digital SAT.
Introductory Phrases
Which sentence correctly punctuates the opening? A) After reviewing the data we published the report. B) After reviewing the data, we published the report.
B. Always place a comma after an introductory phrase or clause to separate it from the main independent clause that follows.
Watch out: Skipping the comma after a long introductory phrase creates a run-on feel and violates standard convention.
Coordinate vs Cumulative Adjectives
Identify the correct form: a quiet careful reader OR a quiet, careful reader. Test by reordering or adding and between them.
a quiet, careful reader. They are coordinate adjectives because you can say careful and quiet or swap them to careful, quiet. Both modify reader equally.
Watch out: Cumulative adjectives build meaning step-by-step and never take commas; only coordinate adjectives do.
Comma Splice Error
The team finished the project, they submitted it early. What is wrong and how do you fix it?
It is a comma splice. A comma alone cannot join two independent clauses. Add FANBOYS after the comma or replace the comma with a period.
Watch out: Using only a comma between complete thoughts creates a grammatical error called a comma splice.
Commas in Dates
Select the correctly punctuated date: On March 12 2024 the conference begins OR On March 12, 2024, the conference begins.
On March 12, 2024, the conference begins. Use a comma after the day and another after the year when the full date appears in a sentence.
Watch out: Forgetting the second comma after the year breaks the rule for full dates written out in sentences.