SAT Writing › Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas in Lists
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The campers, and their counselors decided not to let the rain bother them; they continued with their plans to fish, hike, and swim before supper. No error
campers,
fish,
hike,
swim
No error
The list of "campers and their counselors" does not need a comma. Commas are only necessary in lists of three or more items, and this list only has two items. Therefore, "campers," must be changed. The use of a comma with the conjunction "and" signals a shift from one independent clause to another, which is not the case here.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Martha said she wanted to go shopping, eat ice cream and play leggos with her babysitter. No error
ice cream
said
wanted
play
No error
There should be a comma after "ice cream" since this is a list of activities Martha would like to do. A list of three or more items should have a comma followed by an "and" right before the last item in the list.
Few people have the skills to play professional sports, being deficient in jumping running, or leaping ability.
in jumping, running, or leaping ability.
in jumping running, or leaping ability.
in jumping running or leaping ability.
for jumping running, or leaping ability.
through jumping running, or leaping ability.
The only problem with the underlined portion of the sentence is that the list mentioned has a poorly punctuated series, or list of items. All such lists need to be separated out in some fashion, usually by commas. Thus, "in jumping, running, or leaping ability" is the correct answer choice.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Though Chloe was usually a very amiable child, she tended to grumble, moan, and complain, when the weather became very hot. No error
complain,
grumble,
moan,
child,
No error
In a list of three or more items, all items but the last must be followed by a comma. Therefore, in the list "grumble, moan, and complain," "complain" does not need to be followed by a comma because it is the last item in the list.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Math, physics, and biology are Marco's three favorite subjects in school. No error
No error
Math, physics, and biology
Marco's
favorite
in
Whenever you have a list of more than two items in a sentence, each item in the list needs to be separated by commas. An apostrophe is correctly used to indicate that the preferences are "Marco's." "In" is the correct preposition in this context. This sentence is correct as it is written.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Tom likes to swim, read, and hike in his free time. No error
No error
likes
to swim
read,
free
The sentence is correct. Since there is a list of activities that Tom enjoys doing, it is important to make sure the commas are in the correct places, which, in this case, they are.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
There’s so much I want to do today: go to the beach, mow the lawn, bake a cake; and play chess. No error
cake;
today:
beach,
lawn,
No error
Because the part of the sentence before the list is an independent clause, a colon is the correct punctuation mark to use to introduce the list. Because the items in the list are “simple” (in other words, they don’t contain multiple phrases and commas), commas, not semicolons, are the correct punctuation mark to use between each item. Also, since the non-underlined portion of the list already uses commas, the semicolon needs to be changed to a comma to match.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Carlos, Jim, and their sister, decided not to visit the old shack by the beach; instead, they stayed home and shared ghost stories in the dark. No error
sister, decided
beach; instead,
shared ghost stories
No error
in the dark
A comma should never end a list: "Carlos, Jim, and their sister decided . . ."
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Tripping on the sidewalk, breaking down in a public place, spilling a drink on oneself, having something caught between one's teeth—all are humiliating moments for a person. No error
No error
sidewalk,
place,
yourself
teeth—all
The items in this list should each be separated by a comma. (An "and" could appear between the last two items in the list, but it's not strictly necessary.) The list itself is correctly separated from the second part of the sentence by an em-dash, although a colon would also be acceptable. Therefore, the sentence is correct without any changes.
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The three main things I love about camping are: being outdoors, working with my hands, and spending time away from the hectic atmosphere of the office. No error
No error
being outdoors, working with my hands, and spending time away from the hectic atmosphere of the office.
The three main
are:
love
Every time there is a list of three or more things in a sentence, those things must be separated by commas. The last item in the list is correctly preceded by a conjunction and a comma. The sentence above is correct as it is written. The best answer is "No error."