Practice With Commas Worksheet for 4th - 7th Grade | Lesson Planet - Free Printable

Let’s go step by step through the worksheet. The task is to add commas where needed in each sentence — or write “correct” if no comma is needed.

We’ll go one sentence at a time, apply comma rules (like after introductory phrases, around nonessential clauses, before coordinating conjunctions joining independent clauses, etc.), and decide whether a comma is required.

---

1. "We ran home because we were scared and could not find our way."

→ This is a simple compound predicate: “were scared” and “could not find...” are both actions done by “we”. No comma needed between two verbs sharing the same subject unless it’s for clarity or emphasis — here, it’s fine without.

✔ Answer: correct

---

2. 38. Jolene my English teacher says we have to learn how to use commas.

→ “my English teacher” is an appositive renaming “Jolene”. It should be set off with commas.

Should be: *Jolene, my English teacher, says...*

✔ Add commas: Jolene, my English teacher, says...

---

3. Mr. Jones’ classmates did not come sooner because they had to wait for their new baby sister Dorothy.

→ “Dorothy” is essential info? Actually, it’s just naming the baby — but since there’s only one baby sister, it’s probably nonrestrictive. But actually, in this case, “their new baby sister Dorothy” — if they have only one baby sister, then “Dorothy” is extra info → needs comma before it.

Wait — let’s think: If you say “my brother John”, and you have only one brother, you need a comma: “my brother, John,”. If you have multiple brothers, no comma: “my brother John” (specifying which one).

Here: “their new baby sister Dorothy” — likely they have only one baby sister → so “Dorothy” is nonessential → add comma before it.

But also check: Is there any other comma needed? Introductory phrase? No. Compound sentence? No.

So: ...baby sister, Dorothy.

✔ Add comma: ...baby sister, Dorothy.

BUT — wait! Let me double-check standard rule: When a name follows a noun that already identifies the person uniquely, use a comma. Since “new baby sister” implies only one, yes — comma before Dorothy.

However, some style guides might argue it’s restrictive if distinguishing from older sisters — but context doesn’t suggest that. We’ll go with comma.

Actually — looking again: Sentence says “their new baby sister Dorothy” — if they have older sisters, then “baby sister” distinguishes her, and “Dorothy” is still additional info → still nonrestrictive → comma needed.

✔ Final: Add comma before Dorothy.

---

4. The teacher told us that we must study hard to pass the midterm exam.

→ Simple sentence. No introductory clause, no compound elements needing separation.

✔ Answer: correct

---

5. The teacher of European History said he was going to teach us the ancient civilizations.

→ Again, straightforward. No commas needed.

✔ Answer: correct

---

6. John pointed his finger when time was up.

→ Simple sentence. No issues.

✔ Answer: correct

---

7. I saw the movie last night and thought it was excellent.

→ Compound verb: “saw” and “thought” — same subject “I”. No comma needed between two verbs unless for rhythm or clarity — not required here.

✔ Answer: correct

---

8. My mom gave me a reason why she was late and explained what happened.

→ Again, compound verb: “gave” and “explained” — same subject. No comma needed.

✔ Answer: correct

---

9. Our favorite football player Michael Jordan was born in 1963 in North Carolina.

→ “Michael Jordan” is an appositive renaming “our favorite football player”. Should be set off with commas.

Should be: *Our favorite football player, Michael Jordan, was born...*

✔ Add commas: ..., Michael Jordan, ...

---

10. “Over the river,” said Frank, “and through the woods.”

→ This is dialogue with interruption. Standard format: when speaker tag interrupts quoted material, use commas inside quotes.

This looks correctly punctuated already.

Check: First part ends with comma inside quote, then “said Frank,” then second part starts with lowercase? Wait — “and through the woods” — should it start with capital? No, because it’s continuing the same sentence.

Actually, original:
“Over the river,” said Frank, “and through the woods.”

That’s correct punctuation for interrupted quotation.

✔ Answer: correct

---

11. Robert Louis Stevenson wrote Treasure Island and several poems and essays.

→ List of things he wrote: “Treasure Island”, “several poems”, “essays”? Or is it “Treasure Island and several poems and essays” meaning two items: (1) Treasure Island, (2) several poems and essays?

Actually, structure: “wrote [A] and [B] and [C]” — that’s three items? But “several poems and essays” may be grouped as one item.

Better interpretation: He wrote:
- Treasure Island
- several poems
- essays

Then it should be: *Treasure Island, several poems, and essays* — Oxford comma optional but often preferred.

But original has no commas — so if we interpret as three distinct items, we need commas.

Alternatively, if “several poems and essays” is one unit, then only two items: no comma needed.

But typically, “poems and essays” are separate categories — so better to treat as three items.

Standard rule: In a series of three or more, use commas between items.

So: *Treasure Island, several poems, and essays.*

But note: Some styles omit the last comma (Oxford comma), but most educational contexts require it.

Given this is a grammar exercise, likely expects commas in series.

Original: “Treasure Island and several poems and essays” — ambiguous.

To clarify, add commas: *Treasure Island, several poems, and essays.*

✔ Add commas: Treasure Island, several poems, and essays.

Wait — but maybe “several poems and essays” is meant as a single phrase? Unlikely — poems and essays are different forms.

I think safest is to assume three items → add commas.

But let’s see common usage: Many would write “he wrote X, Y, and Z”.

Yes — so add commas.

✔ Final: Add commas after “Island” and after “poems”

---

12. Have Bob and Bill ever been on a boat?

→ Simple question. Two subjects joined by “and” — no comma needed.

✔ Answer: correct

---

13. “Stop!” cried Mary. “Stop playing on the floor!”

→ Two separate exclamations. Each is a complete sentence. Punctuation looks correct.

No comma needed between them — they’re separate sentences.

✔ Answer: correct

---

14. Charlie Brown hit the ball to the left fielder in the hopes of the shortstop getting and drop-kick punting.

→ This sentence is confusing. “getting and drop-kick punting” — seems like errors. Probably meant “getting and dropping” or something else? But assuming typo, focus on commas.

Structure: Main clause + prepositional phrase. No obvious place for comma.

Also, “in the hopes of the shortstop getting and drop-kick punting” — grammatically odd, but no comma rule applies here.

Unless “the shortstop getting...” is a participial phrase modifying something — but still, no comma needed.

Probably intended to be messy — but based on punctuation rules, no comma required.

✔ Answer: correct *(despite awkward wording)*

---

15. The Knicks lost yet won the cup finally.

→ Contradictory? “lost yet won” — “yet” is a coordinating conjunction joining two verbs: “lost” and “won”. Same subject “The Knicks”.

Rule: When joining two verbs (not full clauses) with a coordinating conjunction, no comma needed.

Example: “She sang and danced.” → no comma.

Similarly: “The Knicks lost yet won...” → no comma.

✔ Answer: correct

---

16. John said “Don’t forget to give me your book!”

→ Direct quotation. Rule: Use comma before opening quote if introducing speech.

Should be: *John said, “Don’t forget...”*

Missing comma after “said”.

✔ Add comma: John said, “Don’t forget...”

---

17. I studied hard last night because my daughter ate a cat and a puppy.

→ Absurd content, but grammatically: compound object “a cat and a puppy” — no comma needed between two nouns joined by “and”.

Also, main clause + subordinate clause starting with “because” — no comma before “because” unless for clarity or contrast — not needed here.

✔ Answer: correct

---

18. The Tuesday class began at noon by my birthday so by the next day we can take the test.

→ Run-on? Two independent clauses:
(1) The Tuesday class began at noon by my birthday
(2) so by the next day we can take the test.

Joined by “so” — which is a coordinating conjunction → need comma before “so”.

Also, “by my birthday” is oddly placed — but punctuation-wise, comma before “so”.

Additionally, “by my birthday” might be misplaced modifier — but again, focusing on commas.

So: Add comma before “so”.

Also, check if “by my birthday” needs commas — probably not; it’s adverbial.

✔ Add comma: ...birthday, so by the next day...

---

19. Food was the cheapest item in the inventory at really cheap bargain prices!

→ Redundant (“cheapest” and “really cheap”), but punctuation: no commas needed. Single clause.

✔ Answer: correct

---

20. Don’t forget to put the book in the room a strong red wall.

→ Missing word? Probably “with a strong red wall” or “against a strong red wall”. As written, “room a strong red wall” is ungrammatical.

But for commas: Even if we assume it’s “room with a strong red wall”, no comma needed.

If it’s “room, a strong red wall” — that would be appositive, but doesn’t make sense.

Likely typo — but based on current text, no comma rule applies.

✔ Answer: correct *(assuming typo doesn't affect punctuation requirement)*

---

Now Part Two: Write down comma rules for these examples.

But user didn’t ask to solve Part Two — only Part One is listed with numbered sentences 1–20.

Looking back at image description: Part Two says “Write the comma rule that makes sense for each of the following words.” Then lists 1–4 about commas.

But since user instruction is to solve the problem accurately, and the main task shown is Part One (sentences 1–20), I’ll focus on that.

Also, note: Sentence #2 starts with “38.” — probably a typo in numbering. Ignore that.

Final Answers for Part One:

1. correct
2. Jolene, my English teacher, says... → add commas
3. ...baby sister, Dorothy. → add comma
4. correct
5. correct
6. correct
7. correct
8. correct
9. ...player, Michael Jordan, was... → add commas
10. correct
11. Treasure Island, several poems, and essays. → add commas
12. correct
13. correct
14. correct
15. correct
16. John said, “Don’t forget... → add comma
17. correct
18. ...birthday, so by... → add comma
19. correct
20. correct

Wait — for #3, let me confirm once more.

Sentence 3: “Mr. Jones’ classmates did not come sooner because they had to wait for their new baby sister Dorothy.”

If “Dorothy” is essential to identify which baby sister, no comma. But since it’s “new baby sister”, implying only one recent addition, “Dorothy” is extra info → comma needed.

Yes.

For #11: Some might argue no comma if “several poems and essays” is treated as one item — but in standard grammar exercises, they expect commas in lists of three or more.

“Treasure Island”, “several poems”, “essays” — three items → commas needed.

Yes.

For #18: Definitely need comma before “so” joining two independent clauses.

Clause 1: “The Tuesday class began at noon by my birthday” — independent
Clause 2: “by the next day we can take the test” — independent
Joined by “so” → comma before “so”.

Yes.

Now compile final answers.

──────────────────────────────────────

Final Answer:
1. correct
2. Add commas: Jolene, my English teacher, says...
3. Add comma: ...baby sister, Dorothy.
4. correct
5. correct
6. correct
7. correct
8. correct
9. Add commas: ...football player, Michael Jordan, was...
10. correct
11. Add commas: Treasure Island, several poems, and essays.
12. correct
13. correct
14. correct
15. correct
16. Add comma: John said, “Don’t forget...
17. correct
18. Add comma: ...birthday, so by the next day...
19. correct
20. correct