Comma usage practice worksheet for students to identify and insert commas correctly in sentences.
A homework worksheet titled "Homework" from Learn Bright, featuring 25 sentences with instructions to write commas where needed. The worksheet includes a space for the student's name and date at the top.
JPG
612×792
65.9 KB
Free · Personal Use
Quality Assured by Worksheets Library Team
Reviewed for educational accuracy and age-appropriateness
ID: #841597
⭐
Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Commas
▼
Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Commas
You’re asked to add commas where they are needed in each sentence. Commas are used for many reasons: to separate items in a list, after introductory phrases, before conjunctions joining two independent clauses, around nonessential information, in dates and addresses, and more.
Let’s go through each sentence one by one and add commas where necessary — with explanations.
---
1. On the last day of the year it is a great time to review your accomplishments.
✔ Add comma after introductory phrase:
→ On the last day of the year, it is a great time to review your accomplishments.
*Explanation:* “On the last day of the year” is an introductory prepositional phrase — set it off with a comma.
---
2. Because of the snow school will be canceled until further notice.
✔ Add comma after introductory clause:
→ Because of the snow, school will be canceled until further notice.
*Explanation:* “Because of the snow” is an introductory adverbial phrase — use a comma after it.
---
3. Sure I can help you on Saturday.
✔ Add comma after interjection:
→ Sure, I can help you on Saturday.
*Explanation:* “Sure” is an interjection or response word — set it off with a comma.
---
4. There are people lined up at the door and there are people crowded in the hall.
✔ Add comma before coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses:
→ There are people lined up at the door, and there are people crowded in the hall.
*Explanation:* Two complete sentences joined by “and” — need a comma before “and.”
---
5. I saw my uncle who is also a policeman directing traffic after the game.
✔ Add commas around nonessential clause:
→ I saw my uncle, who is also a policeman, directing traffic after the game.
*Explanation:* “who is also a policeman” is nonessential (adds extra info, not defining which uncle) — enclose with commas.
---
6. Make sure you include snacks water and Band-Aids when packing for the trip.
✔ Add commas in a list of 3+ items:
→ Make sure you include snacks, water, and Band-Aids when packing for the trip.
*Explanation:* Use commas between items in a series — including the Oxford comma before “and.”
---
7. My mother always said “You are one thought away from a good feeling.”
✔ Add comma before direct quotation:
→ My mother always said, “You are one thought away from a good feeling.”
*Explanation:* When introducing a direct quote, use a comma before the quotation marks.
---
8. I was born in 1975 in the city of Cincinnati Ohio.
✔ Add comma in city/state:
→ I was born in 1975 in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio.
*Explanation:* Always use a comma between city and state.
---
9. The St. Patrick’s Day party will be held on March 16 2017.
✔ Add comma in date format:
→ The St. Patrick’s Day party will be held on March 16, 2017.
*Explanation:* In American English, use a comma between day and year.
---
10. Boys and girls please be sure you write the date on your homework.
✔ Add comma after addressing audience:
→ Boys and girls, please be sure you write the date on your homework.
*Explanation:* “Boys and girls” is a direct address — set off with a comma.
---
11. I think I will stay home today or I think I will head to the park.
✔ Add comma before coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses:
→ I think I will stay home today, or I think I will head to the park.
*Explanation:* Two independent clauses joined by “or” — need comma before “or.”
---
12. Could you please pass the salt and pepper Jennifer?
✔ Add comma before name (direct address):
→ Could you please pass the salt and pepper, Jennifer?
*Explanation:* “Jennifer” is being directly addressed — use a comma before the name.
---
13. Your dress the one with the stripes is the one I want to borrow.
✔ Add commas around nonessential appositive:
→ Your dress, the one with the stripes, is the one I want to borrow.
*Explanation:* “the one with the stripes” describes “your dress” — nonessential, so set off with commas.
---
14. I can stay busy all day but I do not feel like I get anything done.
✔ Add comma before coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses:
→ I can stay busy all day, but I do not feel like I get anything done.
*Explanation:* Two independent clauses joined by “but” — need comma before “but.”
---
15. If you like cookies then you will love cookies and cream ice cream.
✔ Add comma after introductory conditional clause:
→ If you like cookies, then you will love cookies and cream ice cream.
*Explanation:* “If you like cookies” is an introductory clause — use comma after it.
---
16. Hey I wanted the last pieces of cake and pie.
✔ Add comma after interjection:
→ Hey, I wanted the last pieces of cake and pie.
*Explanation:* “Hey” is an interjection — set off with a comma.
---
17. I guess my favorite colors are blue red and white.
✔ Add commas in list:
→ I guess my favorite colors are blue, red, and white.
*Explanation:* List of three items — use commas between them (Oxford comma optional but recommended).
---
18. “The class may have recess all day” announced the teacher.
✔ Add comma before tag/attribute:
→ “The class may have recess all day,” announced the teacher.
*Explanation:* When the speaker tag follows a quote, use a comma inside the closing quotation mark.
---
19. You can tell me you are kind but can you show me you are kind?
✔ Add comma before coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses:
→ You can tell me you are kind, but can you show me you are kind?
*Explanation:* Two independent clauses joined by “but” — comma before “but.”
---
20. On the table in the living room your books are sitting there unused.
✔ Add comma after introductory phrase:
→ On the table in the living room, your books are sitting there unused.
*Explanation:* “On the table in the living room” is an introductory prepositional phrase — use comma after.
---
21. I saw my teacher the one from elementary school shopping today.
✔ Add commas around nonessential appositive:
→ I saw my teacher, the one from elementary school, shopping today.
*Explanation:* “the one from elementary school” is nonessential description — set off with commas.
---
22. This is what I think you are better off staying home and doing your homework.
✔ This sentence is grammatically awkward — but if we assume it means: “This is what I think: you are better off staying home and doing your homework,” then:
→ This is what I think: you are better off staying home and doing your homework.
*OR*, if no colon is allowed, perhaps rephrase — but strictly speaking, no comma is needed here unless you insert a colon or break it differently. However, since the instruction is to add commas *where needed*, and this sentence doesn’t require a comma for standard punctuation rules, leave as is — though it’s poorly constructed.
⚠️ *Note:* Some might argue for a comma after “think,” but that would be incorrect because “you are better off...” is the object of “think,” not a separate clause. So → no comma needed.
---
23. I think I can do it but actually I know I can do it.
✔ Add comma before coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses:
→ I think I can do it, but actually I know I can do it.
*Explanation:* Two independent clauses joined by “but” — comma before “but.”
---
24. Sure you say that now.
✔ Add comma after interjection:
→ Sure, you say that now.
*Explanation:* “Sure” is an interjection — set off with a comma.
---
25. I was born on October 10 2005 in the hospital near my home.
✔ Add comma in date:
→ I was born on October 10, 2005, in the hospital near my home.
*Explanation:* Use comma after day/year, and since the phrase “in the hospital...” is additional info, you could optionally add a second comma — but it’s not required. However, for clarity and consistency, adding the comma after the year is correct.
---
## ✔ Final Answer (with all commas added):
1. On the last day of the year, it is a great time to review your accomplishments.
2. Because of the snow, school will be canceled until further notice.
3. Sure, I can help you on Saturday.
4. There are people lined up at the door, and there are people crowded in the hall.
5. I saw my uncle, who is also a policeman, directing traffic after the game.
6. Make sure you include snacks, water, and Band-Aids when packing for the trip.
7. My mother always said, “You are one thought away from a good feeling.”
8. I was born in 1975 in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio.
9. The St. Patrick’s Day party will be held on March 16, 2017.
10. Boys and girls, please be sure you write the date on your homework.
11. I think I will stay home today, or I think I will head to the park.
12. Could you please pass the salt and pepper, Jennifer?
13. Your dress, the one with the stripes, is the one I want to borrow.
14. I can stay busy all day, but I do not feel like I get anything done.
15. If you like cookies, then you will love cookies and cream ice cream.
16. Hey, I wanted the last pieces of cake and pie.
17. I guess my favorite colors are blue, red, and white.
18. “The class may have recess all day,” announced the teacher.
19. You can tell me you are kind, but can you show me you are kind?
20. On the table in the living room, your books are sitting there unused.
21. I saw my teacher, the one from elementary school, shopping today.
22. This is what I think you are better off staying home and doing your homework. *(No comma needed)*
23. I think I can do it, but actually I know I can do it.
24. Sure, you say that now.
25. I was born on October 10, 2005, in the hospital near my home.
---
✔ All corrections made according to standard American English punctuation rules.
Let me know if you’d like a printable version or explanation cards!
Let’s go through each sentence one by one and add commas where necessary — with explanations.
---
1. On the last day of the year it is a great time to review your accomplishments.
✔ Add comma after introductory phrase:
→ On the last day of the year, it is a great time to review your accomplishments.
*Explanation:* “On the last day of the year” is an introductory prepositional phrase — set it off with a comma.
---
2. Because of the snow school will be canceled until further notice.
✔ Add comma after introductory clause:
→ Because of the snow, school will be canceled until further notice.
*Explanation:* “Because of the snow” is an introductory adverbial phrase — use a comma after it.
---
3. Sure I can help you on Saturday.
✔ Add comma after interjection:
→ Sure, I can help you on Saturday.
*Explanation:* “Sure” is an interjection or response word — set it off with a comma.
---
4. There are people lined up at the door and there are people crowded in the hall.
✔ Add comma before coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses:
→ There are people lined up at the door, and there are people crowded in the hall.
*Explanation:* Two complete sentences joined by “and” — need a comma before “and.”
---
5. I saw my uncle who is also a policeman directing traffic after the game.
✔ Add commas around nonessential clause:
→ I saw my uncle, who is also a policeman, directing traffic after the game.
*Explanation:* “who is also a policeman” is nonessential (adds extra info, not defining which uncle) — enclose with commas.
---
6. Make sure you include snacks water and Band-Aids when packing for the trip.
✔ Add commas in a list of 3+ items:
→ Make sure you include snacks, water, and Band-Aids when packing for the trip.
*Explanation:* Use commas between items in a series — including the Oxford comma before “and.”
---
7. My mother always said “You are one thought away from a good feeling.”
✔ Add comma before direct quotation:
→ My mother always said, “You are one thought away from a good feeling.”
*Explanation:* When introducing a direct quote, use a comma before the quotation marks.
---
8. I was born in 1975 in the city of Cincinnati Ohio.
✔ Add comma in city/state:
→ I was born in 1975 in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio.
*Explanation:* Always use a comma between city and state.
---
9. The St. Patrick’s Day party will be held on March 16 2017.
✔ Add comma in date format:
→ The St. Patrick’s Day party will be held on March 16, 2017.
*Explanation:* In American English, use a comma between day and year.
---
10. Boys and girls please be sure you write the date on your homework.
✔ Add comma after addressing audience:
→ Boys and girls, please be sure you write the date on your homework.
*Explanation:* “Boys and girls” is a direct address — set off with a comma.
---
11. I think I will stay home today or I think I will head to the park.
✔ Add comma before coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses:
→ I think I will stay home today, or I think I will head to the park.
*Explanation:* Two independent clauses joined by “or” — need comma before “or.”
---
12. Could you please pass the salt and pepper Jennifer?
✔ Add comma before name (direct address):
→ Could you please pass the salt and pepper, Jennifer?
*Explanation:* “Jennifer” is being directly addressed — use a comma before the name.
---
13. Your dress the one with the stripes is the one I want to borrow.
✔ Add commas around nonessential appositive:
→ Your dress, the one with the stripes, is the one I want to borrow.
*Explanation:* “the one with the stripes” describes “your dress” — nonessential, so set off with commas.
---
14. I can stay busy all day but I do not feel like I get anything done.
✔ Add comma before coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses:
→ I can stay busy all day, but I do not feel like I get anything done.
*Explanation:* Two independent clauses joined by “but” — need comma before “but.”
---
15. If you like cookies then you will love cookies and cream ice cream.
✔ Add comma after introductory conditional clause:
→ If you like cookies, then you will love cookies and cream ice cream.
*Explanation:* “If you like cookies” is an introductory clause — use comma after it.
---
16. Hey I wanted the last pieces of cake and pie.
✔ Add comma after interjection:
→ Hey, I wanted the last pieces of cake and pie.
*Explanation:* “Hey” is an interjection — set off with a comma.
---
17. I guess my favorite colors are blue red and white.
✔ Add commas in list:
→ I guess my favorite colors are blue, red, and white.
*Explanation:* List of three items — use commas between them (Oxford comma optional but recommended).
---
18. “The class may have recess all day” announced the teacher.
✔ Add comma before tag/attribute:
→ “The class may have recess all day,” announced the teacher.
*Explanation:* When the speaker tag follows a quote, use a comma inside the closing quotation mark.
---
19. You can tell me you are kind but can you show me you are kind?
✔ Add comma before coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses:
→ You can tell me you are kind, but can you show me you are kind?
*Explanation:* Two independent clauses joined by “but” — comma before “but.”
---
20. On the table in the living room your books are sitting there unused.
✔ Add comma after introductory phrase:
→ On the table in the living room, your books are sitting there unused.
*Explanation:* “On the table in the living room” is an introductory prepositional phrase — use comma after.
---
21. I saw my teacher the one from elementary school shopping today.
✔ Add commas around nonessential appositive:
→ I saw my teacher, the one from elementary school, shopping today.
*Explanation:* “the one from elementary school” is nonessential description — set off with commas.
---
22. This is what I think you are better off staying home and doing your homework.
✔ This sentence is grammatically awkward — but if we assume it means: “This is what I think: you are better off staying home and doing your homework,” then:
→ This is what I think: you are better off staying home and doing your homework.
*OR*, if no colon is allowed, perhaps rephrase — but strictly speaking, no comma is needed here unless you insert a colon or break it differently. However, since the instruction is to add commas *where needed*, and this sentence doesn’t require a comma for standard punctuation rules, leave as is — though it’s poorly constructed.
⚠️ *Note:* Some might argue for a comma after “think,” but that would be incorrect because “you are better off...” is the object of “think,” not a separate clause. So → no comma needed.
---
23. I think I can do it but actually I know I can do it.
✔ Add comma before coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses:
→ I think I can do it, but actually I know I can do it.
*Explanation:* Two independent clauses joined by “but” — comma before “but.”
---
24. Sure you say that now.
✔ Add comma after interjection:
→ Sure, you say that now.
*Explanation:* “Sure” is an interjection — set off with a comma.
---
25. I was born on October 10 2005 in the hospital near my home.
✔ Add comma in date:
→ I was born on October 10, 2005, in the hospital near my home.
*Explanation:* Use comma after day/year, and since the phrase “in the hospital...” is additional info, you could optionally add a second comma — but it’s not required. However, for clarity and consistency, adding the comma after the year is correct.
---
## ✔ Final Answer (with all commas added):
1. On the last day of the year, it is a great time to review your accomplishments.
2. Because of the snow, school will be canceled until further notice.
3. Sure, I can help you on Saturday.
4. There are people lined up at the door, and there are people crowded in the hall.
5. I saw my uncle, who is also a policeman, directing traffic after the game.
6. Make sure you include snacks, water, and Band-Aids when packing for the trip.
7. My mother always said, “You are one thought away from a good feeling.”
8. I was born in 1975 in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio.
9. The St. Patrick’s Day party will be held on March 16, 2017.
10. Boys and girls, please be sure you write the date on your homework.
11. I think I will stay home today, or I think I will head to the park.
12. Could you please pass the salt and pepper, Jennifer?
13. Your dress, the one with the stripes, is the one I want to borrow.
14. I can stay busy all day, but I do not feel like I get anything done.
15. If you like cookies, then you will love cookies and cream ice cream.
16. Hey, I wanted the last pieces of cake and pie.
17. I guess my favorite colors are blue, red, and white.
18. “The class may have recess all day,” announced the teacher.
19. You can tell me you are kind, but can you show me you are kind?
20. On the table in the living room, your books are sitting there unused.
21. I saw my teacher, the one from elementary school, shopping today.
22. This is what I think you are better off staying home and doing your homework. *(No comma needed)*
23. I think I can do it, but actually I know I can do it.
24. Sure, you say that now.
25. I was born on October 10, 2005, in the hospital near my home.
---
✔ All corrections made according to standard American English punctuation rules.
Let me know if you’d like a printable version or explanation cards!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of comma practice worksheet with answers.
