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SAT Reading and Writing skill page

SAT Commas Practice

Use commas to organize sentence parts without splitting ideas that belong together.

Practice commas in Dolphin SATPractice questions
10-16 min practice time3 questions on pageStandard English Conventions
Practice time10-16 min
Question bank3 questions
Best forStandard English Conventions

What this tests

What to know for this SAT skill

Dolphin question bank

Practice your skill

Question 1 of 3Easy
Which sentence uses a comma correctly?
  1. After the storm passed, the team resumed practice.
  2. After, the storm passed the team resumed practice.
  3. After the storm, passed the team resumed practice.
  4. After the storm passed the, team resumed practice.
Show answer and solution
Correct answerA. After the storm passed, the team resumed practice.

Solution walkthrough

  1. A comma after the introductory clause helps separate it from the main clause.
Question 2 of 3Medium
Which sentence correctly punctuates nonessential information?
  1. The device which was invented in 2019 quickly spread.
  2. The device, which was invented in 2019, quickly spread.
  3. The device which, was invented in 2019 quickly spread.
  4. The device which was invented, in 2019 quickly spread.
Show answer and solution
Correct answerB. The device, which was invented in 2019, quickly spread.

Solution walkthrough

  1. The which phrase adds extra information, so it should be set off with commas.
Question 3 of 3Hard
Which choice avoids a comma splice?
  1. The results were surprising, the team repeated the test.
  2. The results were surprising, and the team repeated the test.
  3. The results were surprising the team, repeated the test.
  4. The results, were surprising the team repeated the test.
Show answer and solution
Correct answerB. The results were surprising, and the team repeated the test.

Solution walkthrough

  1. Two independent clauses need a conjunction with the comma, or stronger punctuation.

Avoid these traps

Common mistakes on this skill

Placing a comma between a subject and its verb

Even a long subject is not separated from its verb by a comma unless another structure independently requires punctuation.

Using only one comma around nonessential information

A removable phrase in the middle of a sentence needs punctuation on both sides.

Study plan

How to practice this skill in Dolphin

  1. Identify the sentence core before adding punctuation.
  2. Determine whether each phrase is essential, introductory, part of a list, or joining clauses.
  3. Remove nonessential material temporarily to confirm that the remaining sentence is complete.
Practice commas in Dolphin SAT

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FAQ

Questions about SAT Commas Practice

When does a comma join two clauses?

Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction when both sides are independent clauses.

What is a comma splice?

It occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a comma.