Comma placement practice worksheet for students to identify and correct punctuation errors in sentences.

Let’s go through each sentence one by one and add commas where they’re needed. Commas help separate ideas, list items, dates, places, or clauses so the sentence is easier to read.

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1. On the last day of the year it is a great time to review your accomplishments.
→ Add comma after “year” because it’s an introductory phrase.
✔ *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.
→ Add comma after “snow” — introductory clause.
✔ *Because of the snow, school will be canceled until further notice.*

3. Sure I can help you move on Saturday.
→ Add comma after “Sure” — it’s an interjection.
✔ *Sure, I can help you move on Saturday.*

4. There are people lined up at the door and there are people crowded in the hall.
→ This is two independent clauses joined by “and” — needs a comma before “and”.
✔ *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.
→ “who is also a policeman” is extra info (non-restrictive) — needs commas around it.
✔ *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.
→ List of 3 things: snacks, water, Band-Aids → need commas between them.
✔ *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.”
→ No comma needed here — quote follows directly after “said” without interruption.
✔ *My mother always said “You are one thought away from a good feeling.”*
*(Note: Some style guides put a comma before quotes, but in this case, since it’s not interrupted, it’s optional. We’ll leave it as-is unless instructed otherwise. But actually — standard rule says use comma before direct speech if it’s introduced with “said”. So let’s fix that.)*
✔ *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.
→ City and state need comma between them.
✔ *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.
→ Date format: month day, year → comma after day.
✔ *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.
→ “please” is an interrupter — add comma before and after? Actually, just before “please” is enough for address + request.
✔ *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.
→ Two independent clauses joined by “or” → comma before “or”.
✔ *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?
→ “Jennifer” is being addressed → add comma before her name.
✔ *Could you please pass the salt and pepper, Jennifer?*

13. Your dress, the one with the stripes is the one I want to borrow.
→ “the one with the stripes” is extra info → needs comma after it too.
✔ *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.
→ Two independent clauses joined by “but” → comma before “but”.
✔ *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.
→ Introductory clause “If you like cookies” → comma after it.
✔ *If you like cookies, then you will love cookies and cream ice cream.*

16. Hey I wanted the last pieces of cake and pie.
→ “Hey” is an interjection → comma after it.
✔ *Hey, I wanted the last pieces of cake and pie.*

17. I guess my favorite colors are blue red and white.
→ List of 3 colors → commas between them.
✔ *I guess my favorite colors are blue, red, and white.*

18. “The class may have recess all day” announced the teacher.
→ When the quote comes first, put comma inside the quotation marks before the speaker.
✔ *“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?
→ Two independent clauses joined by “but” → comma before “but”.
✔ *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.
→ Introductory phrase “On the table in the living room” → comma after it.
✔ *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.
→ “the one from elementary school” is extra info → commas around it.
✔ *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 — it’s one continuous idea.
✔ *This is what I think: you are better off staying home and doing your homework.*
Wait — actually, maybe we should add a colon or rephrase? But the instruction is only to add commas. Let’s check: Is there a natural pause? Not really. Original sentence is okay without comma.
But wait — “you are better off...” is explaining “what I think” — sometimes a comma helps. However, strictly speaking, no comma is required here. Let’s leave it as is unless forced. Actually, many would add a comma after “think” for clarity. Let’s follow common usage:
✔ *This is what I think, you are better off staying home and doing your homework.*
Hmm — that might be a run-on. Better to use a colon or dash. But since we’re only adding commas, perhaps it’s best to leave it alone? Wait — looking again: The original has no punctuation break. In formal writing, you’d use a colon. But for this level, maybe they expect a comma. Let’s check similar examples. Actually, I think it’s acceptable without. But to be safe, let’s see if any other source suggests otherwise. Since this is about commas, and no clear rule applies, I’ll say:
✔ *This is what I think: you are better off staying home and doing your homework.* — but colon isn’t a comma. So perhaps no change?
Actually, let’s look at #23 and #24 — they have “but” which usually takes a comma. For #22, I think it’s fine without. But let me double-check:
Original: “This is what I think you are better off...” — it’s a bit awkward. Maybe it’s meant to be: “This is what I think: you are better off...” — but again, not a comma.
I think for this exercise, we should NOT add a comma here — it’s not grammatically required.
✔ *This is what I think you are better off staying home and doing your homework.* ← no comma added.

Wait — actually, let’s reconsider. If we interpret “you are better off...” as a separate clause, then yes, comma after “think”. Many teachers would accept that. To be consistent with how we handled others, let’s add it.
✔ *This is what I think, you are better off staying home and doing your homework.*
But technically, that’s a comma splice. Hmm.
Better approach: Perhaps the sentence is meant to be read as one unit. I think safest is to leave it without comma. Let’s move on and come back.

Actually, let’s check online or standard rules. Upon second thought, in informal writing, people often add a comma there for pause. Since this is a worksheet for students, likely they expect a comma. I’ll add it.
✔ *This is what I think, you are better off staying home and doing your homework.*

But I’m uneasy. Let’s skip and decide later.

23. I think I can do it but actually I know I can do it.
→ Two independent clauses joined by “but” → comma before “but”. Also, “actually” is an interrupter — could add commas around it, but not necessary. Main thing: comma before “but”.
✔ *I think I can do it, but actually I know I can do it.*

24. Sure you say that now.
→ “Sure” is an interjection → comma after it.
✔ *Sure, you say that now.*

25. I was born on October 10 2005 in the hospital near my home.
→ Date: October 10, 2005 → comma after day. Also, after year, if followed by more info, sometimes comma — but here “in the hospital...” is part of the same phrase. Standard: comma after day in date.
✔ *I was born on October 10, 2005, in the hospital near my home.*
Yes — when date is followed by additional information, comma after year too.

Now back to #22: After reviewing, I think the intended correction is to add a comma after “think” to separate the main clause from the explanation. Even though it’s a comma splice, in elementary/middle school worksheets, they often accept it for clarity. So I’ll go with:

✔ *This is what I think, you are better off staying home and doing your homework.*

Alternatively, maybe it’s supposed to be: “This is what I think you are better off...” — meaning “this is my opinion that you are better off...” — then no comma. But that changes meaning slightly. Given the context, I think adding comma is expected.

Final decision: Add comma after “think”.

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Now let’s compile all corrected sentences:

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 move 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.
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.

Wait — for #22, I’m still unsure. Let me check a grammar source mentally: When you say “This is what I think [that] you are better off...”, the “that” is implied, so no comma needed. Adding a comma makes it two sentences incorrectly. So perhaps NO comma should be added.

In fact, looking at #23: “I think I can do it but actually I know I can do it.” — here, “I think I can do it” is one clause, “actually I know I can do it” is another — so comma before “but” is correct.

For #22: “This is what I think you are better off...” — it’s one clause: “what I think [is that] you are better off...” — so no comma.

I think I made a mistake. Let’s correct #22:

✔ *This is what I think you are better off staying home and doing your homework.* ← no comma

Similarly, in some styles, you might add a colon, but since we’re only adding commas, and it’s not required, we leave it.

So final version for #22: no comma.

Also, for #7: I added a comma before the quote — that’s standard.

For #8: “in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio” — correct.

For #25: “October 10, 2005, in the hospital” — yes, comma after year when followed by more info.

Okay, I think we’re good.

Final Answer:

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 move 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.
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.