Comma placement worksheet with sentences for grammar practice.

Here is the corrected version of Worksheet #5: The Comma, with commas added where they are grammatically necessary. I’ll explain the rules applied for each sentence.

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✔ Corrected Sentences with Commas:

1. A simple sentence, also called an independent clause, contains a subject and a verb and it expresses a complete thought.
→ *Commas set off the nonessential appositive phrase “also called an independent clause.”*

2. The most basic type of sentence is the simple sentence, which contains only one clause.
→ *Comma before the nonrestrictive relative clause “which contains only one clause.” (It adds extra info but isn’t essential to the meaning.)*

3. My friend invited me to a party, but I do not want to go.
→ *Comma before coordinating conjunction “but” joining two independent clauses.*

4. A story plot is a planned, logical series of events having a beginning, middle, and end.
→ *Comma between coordinate adjectives (“planned” and “logical”) and in the series “beginning, middle, and end.”*

5. Using original figures of speech in our writing is a way to convey meanings in fresh, unexpected ways.
→ *Comma between coordinate adjectives “fresh” and “unexpected.”*

6. You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try.
→ *Comma before “but” joining two independent clauses.*

7. This song is dedicated to Moe, Larry, and Curly.
→ *Comma in a series of three or more items (Oxford comma included).*

8. The meal consisted of soup, salad, and macaroni and cheese.
→ *Comma in a series: “soup, salad, and macaroni and cheese.” Note: “macaroni and cheese” is treated as a single item, so no comma before “and” within that phrase.*

9. After you have completed the exercises, compare your results with a classmate.
→ *Comma after introductory dependent clause (“After you have completed the exercises”).*

10. On warm summer nights, after supper, mother would sit on the front porch and tell us stories about ghosts and witches.
→ *Comma after introductory phrase “On warm summer nights,” and another after “after supper” (another introductory element).*

11. Don’t get me wrong, I just don’t like running.
→ *Comma after introductory phrase “Don’t get me wrong.”*

12. To get exercise, I run with my new dog Ollie.
→ *Comma after introductory infinitive phrase “To get exercise.”*

13. It’s challenging, but you have to at least try to eat right and exercise.
→ *Comma before “but” joining two independent clauses.*

14. Like most people, I can be lazy, so it’s nice to have a goal or deadline or reason to work out.
→ *Comma after introductory phrase “Like most people.” Also, comma before “so” joining two independent clauses.*

15. I feel better when I get to exercise, or when I’m outdoors.
→ *Comma before “or” joining two independent clauses (both starting with “when…”).*

16. I like to hike, swim, and run, and I love to play soccer.
→ *Comma in series: “hike, swim, and run.” Another comma before “and” joining two independent clauses.*

17. If you develop a passion for learning, you will never cease to grow.
→ *Comma after introductory conditional clause “If you develop a passion for learning.”*

18. Benefits of regular activity are better posture, self-esteem, and weight management, and improved energy levels.
→ *Comma in series: “posture, self-esteem, and weight management.” Then comma before final “and” joining the last item (“improved energy levels”) to the rest — technically, this could be rephrased for clarity, but grammatically, the comma separates the compound object. Alternatively, it might be clearer as: “...better posture, self-esteem, weight management, and improved energy levels.” — treating all as one list. But since “and” connects “weight management” and “improved energy levels,” the comma before “and” is appropriate to separate the final compound item. However, best practice is to treat all four as one list:*

➡️ Better revision:
*Benefits of regular activity are better posture, self-esteem, weight management, and improved energy levels.*
*(One comma-separated list — no comma needed before “and” unless using Oxford comma, which we are. So actually, the original structure is awkward. Let’s fix it.)*

✔ Final corrected version for #18:
18. Benefits of regular activity are better posture, self-esteem, weight management, and improved energy levels.
→ *All four items are in one series, so use commas throughout, including before the final “and.”*

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📝 Summary of Comma Rules Applied:

- Introductory elements (clauses, phrases) → comma after.
- Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) → comma before when joining two independent clauses.
- Nonessential appositives or clauses → commas around them.
- Series of 3+ items → commas between, including before the final “and” (Oxford comma).
- Coordinate adjectives → comma between adjectives that independently modify the noun.

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✍️ Final Answer (Corrected Worksheet):

1. A simple sentence, also called an independent clause, contains a subject and a verb and it expresses a complete thought.
2. The most basic type of sentence is the simple sentence, which contains only one clause.
3. My friend invited me to a party, but I do not want to go.
4. A story plot is a planned, logical series of events having a beginning, middle, and end.
5. Using original figures of speech in our writing is a way to convey meanings in fresh, unexpected ways.
6. You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try.
7. This song is dedicated to Moe, Larry, and Curly.
8. The meal consisted of soup, salad, and macaroni and cheese.
9. After you have completed the exercises, compare your results with a classmate.
10. On warm summer nights, after supper, mother would sit on the front porch and tell us stories about ghosts and witches.
11. Don’t get me wrong, I just don’t like running.
12. To get exercise, I run with my new dog Ollie.
13. It’s challenging, but you have to at least try to eat right and exercise.
14. Like most people, I can be lazy, so it’s nice to have a goal or deadline or reason to work out.
15. I feel better when I get to exercise, or when I’m outdoors.
16. I like to hike, swim, and run, and I love to play soccer.
17. If you develop a passion for learning, you will never cease to grow.
18. Benefits of regular activity are better posture, self-esteem, weight management, and improved energy levels.

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Let me know if you’d like a printable version or explanation for students!