Comma Practice - ESL worksheet by jenzab - Free Printable
Educational worksheet: Comma Practice - ESL worksheet by jenzab. Download and print for classroom or home learning activities.
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Step-by-step solution for: Comma Practice - ESL worksheet by jenzab
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Comma Practice - ESL worksheet by jenzab
Let's go through each sentence and add commas where needed, following standard English grammar rules. I'll explain the reasoning for each.
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1. The smelly ugly bug scared me in my bedroom.
✔ Corrected: *The smelly, ugly bug scared me in my bedroom.*
- Explanation: "Smelly" and "ugly" are two adjectives describing the same noun ("bug"). When two or more adjectives come before a noun and are coordinate (they can be reversed or joined by "and"), they need a comma between them. So, we use a comma between "smelly" and "ugly."
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2. Happily I gave my mother her birthday present.
✔ Corrected: *Happily, I gave my mother her birthday present.*
- Explanation: "Happily" is an adverb at the beginning of the sentence modifying the entire clause. When an introductory adverb like this appears at the start of a sentence, it should be followed by a comma.
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3. I will need to bring a new notebook pencil calculator and eraser to take my test today.
✔ Corrected: *I will need to bring a new notebook, pencil, calculator, and eraser to take my test today.*
- Explanation: This is a list of items: notebook, pencil, calculator, eraser. In a series of three or more items, use commas between each item. Also, include the Oxford comma (comma before "and") for clarity.
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4. We were scared to ride the haunted house ride however we got on and had a lot of fun.
✔ Corrected: *We were scared to ride the haunted house ride; however, we got on and had a lot of fun.*
- Explanation: "However" is a conjunctive adverb that connects two independent clauses. It requires a semicolon before it and a comma after it when used this way.
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5. You are so lucky to be married to that smart successful woman.
✔ Corrected: *You are so lucky to be married to that smart, successful woman.*
- Explanation: "Smart" and "successful" are coordinate adjectives describing the woman. They are both positive qualities and can be reversed ("successful, smart") or joined with "and," so a comma is needed between them.
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6. My refrigerator is full of fruit vegetables and dairy products which are all healthy foods.
✔ Corrected: *My refrigerator is full of fruit, vegetables, and dairy products, which are all healthy foods.*
- Explanation:
- "Fruit, vegetables, and dairy products" is a list — use commas between items and the Oxford comma before "and."
- "which are all healthy foods" is a non-restrictive relative clause (adds extra info), so it needs commas around it.
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7. Based upon the news report the weather tomorrow is going to be beautiful.
✔ Corrected: *Based upon the news report, the weather tomorrow is going to be beautiful.*
- Explanation: "Based upon the news report" is an introductory phrase, so it must be followed by a comma.
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8. Amazingly the tornado did not destroy any of the house.
✔ Corrected: *Amazingly, the tornado did not destroy any of the house.*
- Explanation: "Amazingly" is an introductory adverbial phrase and should be followed by a comma.
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9. We should buy a new car that has a CD player sun roof and air conditioning.
✔ Corrected: *We should buy a new car that has a CD player, sun roof, and air conditioning.*
- Explanation: This is a list of features inside the relative clause. Use commas between the items in the list: "CD player, sun roof, and air conditioning." Again, the Oxford comma is recommended for clarity.
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1. The smelly, ugly bug scared me in my bedroom.
2. Happily, I gave my mother her birthday present.
3. I will need to bring a new notebook, pencil, calculator, and eraser to take my test today.
4. We were scared to ride the haunted house ride; however, we got on and had a lot of fun.
5. You are so lucky to be married to that smart, successful woman.
6. My refrigerator is full of fruit, vegetables, and dairy products, which are all healthy foods.
7. Based upon the news report, the weather tomorrow is going to be beautiful.
8. Amazingly, the tornado did not destroy any of the house.
9. We should buy a new car that has a CD player, sun roof, and air conditioning.
---
✔ These corrections follow standard punctuation rules for commas, lists, introductory elements, and conjunctive adverbs.
---
1. The smelly ugly bug scared me in my bedroom.
✔ Corrected: *The smelly, ugly bug scared me in my bedroom.*
- Explanation: "Smelly" and "ugly" are two adjectives describing the same noun ("bug"). When two or more adjectives come before a noun and are coordinate (they can be reversed or joined by "and"), they need a comma between them. So, we use a comma between "smelly" and "ugly."
---
2. Happily I gave my mother her birthday present.
✔ Corrected: *Happily, I gave my mother her birthday present.*
- Explanation: "Happily" is an adverb at the beginning of the sentence modifying the entire clause. When an introductory adverb like this appears at the start of a sentence, it should be followed by a comma.
---
3. I will need to bring a new notebook pencil calculator and eraser to take my test today.
✔ Corrected: *I will need to bring a new notebook, pencil, calculator, and eraser to take my test today.*
- Explanation: This is a list of items: notebook, pencil, calculator, eraser. In a series of three or more items, use commas between each item. Also, include the Oxford comma (comma before "and") for clarity.
---
4. We were scared to ride the haunted house ride however we got on and had a lot of fun.
✔ Corrected: *We were scared to ride the haunted house ride; however, we got on and had a lot of fun.*
- Explanation: "However" is a conjunctive adverb that connects two independent clauses. It requires a semicolon before it and a comma after it when used this way.
---
5. You are so lucky to be married to that smart successful woman.
✔ Corrected: *You are so lucky to be married to that smart, successful woman.*
- Explanation: "Smart" and "successful" are coordinate adjectives describing the woman. They are both positive qualities and can be reversed ("successful, smart") or joined with "and," so a comma is needed between them.
---
6. My refrigerator is full of fruit vegetables and dairy products which are all healthy foods.
✔ Corrected: *My refrigerator is full of fruit, vegetables, and dairy products, which are all healthy foods.*
- Explanation:
- "Fruit, vegetables, and dairy products" is a list — use commas between items and the Oxford comma before "and."
- "which are all healthy foods" is a non-restrictive relative clause (adds extra info), so it needs commas around it.
---
7. Based upon the news report the weather tomorrow is going to be beautiful.
✔ Corrected: *Based upon the news report, the weather tomorrow is going to be beautiful.*
- Explanation: "Based upon the news report" is an introductory phrase, so it must be followed by a comma.
---
8. Amazingly the tornado did not destroy any of the house.
✔ Corrected: *Amazingly, the tornado did not destroy any of the house.*
- Explanation: "Amazingly" is an introductory adverbial phrase and should be followed by a comma.
---
9. We should buy a new car that has a CD player sun roof and air conditioning.
✔ Corrected: *We should buy a new car that has a CD player, sun roof, and air conditioning.*
- Explanation: This is a list of features inside the relative clause. Use commas between the items in the list: "CD player, sun roof, and air conditioning." Again, the Oxford comma is recommended for clarity.
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Final Answer (with corrected sentences):
1. The smelly, ugly bug scared me in my bedroom.
2. Happily, I gave my mother her birthday present.
3. I will need to bring a new notebook, pencil, calculator, and eraser to take my test today.
4. We were scared to ride the haunted house ride; however, we got on and had a lot of fun.
5. You are so lucky to be married to that smart, successful woman.
6. My refrigerator is full of fruit, vegetables, and dairy products, which are all healthy foods.
7. Based upon the news report, the weather tomorrow is going to be beautiful.
8. Amazingly, the tornado did not destroy any of the house.
9. We should buy a new car that has a CD player, sun roof, and air conditioning.
---
✔ These corrections follow standard punctuation rules for commas, lists, introductory elements, and conjunctive adverbs.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of comma exercises worksheet.
