Comma or Semicolon 2 worksheet for grammar practice.

Here are the correct answers and explanations for your worksheet.

1. When the islanders started fighting amongst themselves , the monkeys took control.

Why? You need a comma here because the sentence starts with a dependent clause ("When the islanders started fighting amongst themselves"). A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a full sentence, so you use a comma to separate it from the main part of the sentence.

2. The islanders were weary of fighting ; consequently, the monkeys faced little resistance.

Why? You need a semicolon here because you are joining two independent clauses (complete sentences) with a transition word like "consequently." A comma would be too weak (this is called a comma splice), and a period would make them two separate sentences.

3. As soon as the monkeys were in charge of Fire Island , things began to change.

Why? Just like question #1, this sentence begins with a dependent clause ("As soon as..."). You must use a comma to separate that introductory part from the main action of the sentence.

4. David was afraid of Tiny, the leader of the monkeys , because David had heard things.

Why? You need a comma before "because" here. While you don't always need a comma before "because," in this case, it helps clarify the meaning. It shows that the reason he was afraid applies to the whole previous statement. Without the comma, it might look like he was only afraid of the specific leader *for the reason* that he heard things, rather than being afraid of Tiny in general.

5. Tiny demanded all kinds of crazy things from the islanders ; this troubled them greatly.

Why? You have two complete thoughts here: "Tiny demanded..." and "this troubled them..." Since there is no connecting word (like *and* or *but*) between them, you must use a semicolon to glue them together.

6. One warm summer morning , Tiny marched to the village square and pronounced a new law.

Why? "One warm summer morning" is an introductory phrase telling us *when* something happened. We use a comma after short introductory phrases to separate them from the main subject (Tiny).

7. This law shocked and appalled the islanders ; they could not accept such ridiculous leadership.

Why? These are two independent clauses. The first part is a complete sentence, and the second part is also a complete sentence. Because there is no conjunction (joining word) like *so* or *and*, you must use a semicolon.

8. After much hemming and hawing , the elders decided to accept the law afterall.

Why? Similar to question #6, "After much hemming and hawing" is an introductory phrase. It sets the scene before the main action happens, so it needs a comma.

9. The islanders had lost their spirit for fighting ; furthermore, no one wanted to provoke Tiny's ire.

Why? This is very similar to question #2. You are connecting two complete sentences with the transition word "furthermore." When you use words like *however, therefore,* or *furthermore* to join two sentences, you must use a semicolon before the word.

10. David , however, had had enough.

Why? The word "however" is an interrupter here. It breaks up the flow of the sentence "David had had enough." When a word interrupts the subject and the verb, you must put commas around it (one before and one after).

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Final Answer:

1. Comma ( , ) — Introductory dependent clause.
2. Semicolon ( ; ) — Joining independent clauses with a transition word.
3. Comma ( , ) — Introductory dependent clause.
4. Comma ( , ) — Clarifying the cause/reason.
5. Semicolon ( ; ) — Joining two independent clauses without a conjunction.
6. Comma ( , ) — Introductory phrase.
7. Semicolon ( ; ) — Joining two independent clauses without a conjunction.
8. Comma ( , ) — Introductory phrase.
9. Semicolon ( ; ) — Joining independent clauses with a transition word.
10. Comma ( , ) — Setting off an interrupter word.