Virtual Writing Tutor ESL Grammar Checker

Find Comma Errors

Find all the errors by clicking on them. The correction will be given. Don't click any correct words or you will lose points.

Comma Rule #1: Use a comma to separate a prepositional phrase from the main sentence.
INCORRECT: In my office everyone has their own little cubicle.
CORRECT: In my office, everyone has their own little cubicle.

Prepositions: in, at, on, to, by, for, etc.

Comma Rule #2: Use a comma to separate an adverb from the main sentence.
INCORRECT: Suddenly a chill went down my spine.
CORRECT: Suddenly, a chill went down my spine.

Adverbs: suddenly, all of a sudden, silently, quickly, angrily, fortunately, unluckily, etc.

Comma Rule #3: Use a comma after time clauses that introduce sentences.
INCORRECT: After I got home I went straight to bed.
CORRECT: After I got home, I went straight to bed.

Time clauses: After I got home, when I saw her, once I realized the time, etc.

Comma Rule #4: Use a comma to separate two independent clauses joined by a conjunction. Two sentences joined with a conjunction but no comma is called a run-on sentence.
INCORRECT: The people on the boat were laughing and the people on the beach were watching.
CORRECT: The people on the boat were laughing, and the people on the beach were watching.

Conjunctions: and, but, or, so.

BE CAREFUL: Don't put a comma before an "and" without a subject.
INCORRECT: The people on the boat laughed, and sang.
CORRECT: The people on the boat laughed and sang.


Comma Rule #5: Do not join two sentences with a comma. This is called a comma splice.
INCORRECT: It was getting late, I was starting to panic.
CORRECT: It was getting late. I was starting to panic.
In my got lost. At was on a ship. was with all my we were enjoying ourselves. changed. I stepped on a loose plank on the deck of the fell. When I was alone in a jungle surrounded by snakes.
Virtual Writing Tutor ESL Grammar Checker