Comma Practice: The Magi

Help Resource: Comma Rules

In this exercise, you will practice identifying and correcting errors with commas. Below are some common comma rules:

Commas in Compound Sentences: Use a comma before a conjunction (e.g., and, but, or, for, so, yet) that joins two independent clauses.
Commas in Complex Sentences: Use commas after introductory clauses or phrases, and after dependent clauses if they come before the main clause.
Commas in Lists: Use commas to separate items in a list (e.g., apples, bananas, and grapes).
Avoiding Fragments: Ensure that each sentence has both a subject and a predicate. A fragment is an incomplete sentence.
Avoiding Run-ons: A run-on sentence occurs when two independent clauses are joined incorrectly without a conjunction or punctuation.

Read the following passage on the Magi. It contains comma errors. Your task is to correct the errors in the following sentences:

The Magi were three wise men who traveled from the east to visit the baby Jesus. They brought with them gifts gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The gifts they gave were symbolic of Jesus' future role as king, priest, and sacrifice. Each of the Magi, Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, offered a gift. Gaspar gave gold, because it represented Jesus’ kingship. Melchior brought frankincense, a symbol of his priestly role, while Balthasar brought myrrh, a symbol of Jesus’ future death. The Magi followed a star that led them to Bethlehem, they knew the star would guide them to the newborn King. They found the child, they worshipped him, and they presented their gifts. The Magi were honored, but they had no idea that their gifts would be given in such a surprising way.

Identify and correct the error in the sentence below:

"They brought with them gifts gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
Choose the correct sentence:

"Each of the Magi, Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, offered a gift."
- Each of the Magi Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar offered a gift.
- Each of the Magi, Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar, offered a gift.
- Each of the Magi, Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, offered a gift.
Correct the run-on sentence below:

"The Magi followed a star that led them to Bethlehem, they knew the star would guide them to the newborn King."
Identify and correct the error in the sentence below:

"They found the child, they worshipped him, and they presented their gifts."