Virtual Writing Tutor ESL Grammar Checker

Correct Comma Errors

Simply click on a the closest letter to the punctuation error to open a correction box. Make the correction and click check to see your score.

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.
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