Exercise 1 and Exercise 2 from a grammar worksheet focusing on comma usage in English sentences.
A text-based exercise sheet with two grammar tasks involving comma placement in sentences and a passage with missing commas to be corrected.
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Step-by-step solution for: BusyTeacher.org
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: BusyTeacher.org
It looks like you've uploaded a text document containing two exercises related to English grammar and punctuation. Let's go through each exercise step by step, solve the problems, and explain the solutions.
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Task: Put commas in the sentences. Justify why you put them there.
We'll go through each sentence, add appropriate commas, and explain the reasoning.
---
1. When going on a trip I like to take my guitar with me.
✔ Corrected: *When going on a trip, I like to take my guitar with me.*
🔹 Why? A comma is needed after introductory phrases (like "When going on a trip") to separate them from the main clause.
---
2. I’ve been to France Germany China and Spain.
✔ Corrected: *I’ve been to France, Germany, China, and Spain.*
🔹 Why? When listing multiple items in a series, use commas between each item. The Oxford comma (before "and") is optional but recommended for clarity.
---
3. Next week I am going to have a party so I invited my friends Mark and Sue.
✔ Corrected: *Next week, I am going to have a party, so I invited my friends Mark and Sue.*
🔹 Why?
- "Next week" is an introductory phrase → needs a comma.
- "so" connects two independent clauses → requires a comma before it.
---
4. There are exactly 489741 people living in this city most of whom take a train a bus or a tram to work.
✔ Corrected: *There are exactly 489,741 people living in this city, most of whom take a train, a bus, or a tram to work.*
🔹 Why?
- Add commas in large numbers (489,741).
- Use a comma after the main clause before the relative clause ("most of whom...").
- Use commas in the list: "a train, a bus, or a tram".
---
5. "Look at this" he whispered.
✔ Corrected: *"Look at this," he whispered.*
🔹 Why? Quotation marks enclose the spoken words. A comma goes inside the quotation marks to separate the quote from the speaker tag.
---
6. Paulina his wife of many years decided to live in Greece.
✔ Corrected: *Paulina, his wife of many years, decided to live in Greece.*
🔹 Why? "his wife of many years" is an appositive (extra descriptive information), so it should be set off with commas.
---
7. As the plane was coming to a halt on the runway I was beginning to feel less nervous.
✔ Corrected: *As the plane was coming to a halt on the runway, I was beginning to feel less nervous.*
🔹 Why? "As the plane..." is an introductory dependent clause → needs a comma.
---
8. The thief had very impractical shoes so he couldn’t run very fast.
✔ Corrected: *The thief had very impractical shoes, so he couldn’t run very fast.*
🔹 Why? Two independent clauses joined by "so" → require a comma before the conjunction.
---
9. "I’m warning you" said the teacher "don’t even try to cheat or else you will be expelled from school."
✔ Corrected: *"I’m warning you," said the teacher, "don’t even try to cheat or else you will be expelled from school."*
🔹 Why?
- Comma after "you" inside the quote.
- Comma after "teacher" (speaker tag).
- Proper punctuation for dialogue with interruptions.
---
10. I dedicate this work to my brothers John Smith and God.
✔ Corrected: *I dedicate this work to my brothers John, Smith, and God.*
🔹 Why? List of names: "John, Smith, and God". Note: This may be humorous or metaphorical, but grammatically, commas separate the items.
---
11. Sarah the most intelligent pupil in the class was always late for school.
✔ Corrected: *Sarah, the most intelligent pupil in the class, was always late for school.*
🔹 Why? Appositive phrase describing Sarah → set off with commas.
---
12. I said that she is intelligent not pretty.
✔ Corrected: *I said that she is intelligent, not pretty.*
🔹 Why? "not pretty" contrasts with "intelligent" → comma helps clarify the contrast.
---
13. Once the storm was over we could sail to the island.
✔ Corrected: *Once the storm was over, we could sail to the island.*
🔹 Why? "Once the storm was over" is an introductory clause → needs a comma.
---
14. Given the terrible weather conditions it is surprising that the holiday was so enjoyable.
✔ Corrected: *Given the terrible weather conditions, it is surprising that the holiday was so enjoyable.*
🔹 Why? "Given..." is a prepositional phrase starting the sentence → needs a comma.
---
15. India a truly beautiful interesting and exotic country is now a popular tourist destination.
✔ Corrected: *India, a truly beautiful, interesting, and exotic country, is now a popular tourist destination.*
🔹 Why?
- Appositive phrase: "a truly beautiful, interesting, and exotic country" → set off with commas.
- Commas in the list of adjectives.
---
16. During lunch at the campus cafeteria Henry noticed the dirty tables the overworked cashiers and the high prices of food.
✔ Corrected: *During lunch at the campus cafeteria, Henry noticed the dirty tables, the overworked cashiers, and the high prices of food.*
🔹 Why?
- Introductory phrase → comma after "cafeteria".
- List of three items → use commas between them and Oxford comma before "and".
---
17. During the race I tried to keep up with Mark who can run 100 meters in under 12 seconds.
✔ Corrected: *During the race, I tried to keep up with Mark, who can run 100 meters in under 12 seconds.*
🔹 Why?
- "During the race" is introductory → comma.
- "who can run..." is a non-restrictive clause (adds extra info) → requires commas.
---
18. To study for the exam Bill drank seven cups of coffee which kept him awake all night.
✔ Corrected: *To study for the exam, Bill drank seven cups of coffee, which kept him awake all night.*
🔹 Why?
- "To study..." is an infinitive phrase → comma after.
- "which" refers to coffee (non-restrictive) → commas around the clause.
---
19. I only earn 2000 USD a month for my hard work and my wife gets 12000 USD which is not fair.
✔ Corrected: *I only earn $2,000 USD a month for my hard work, and my wife gets $12,000 USD, which is not fair.*
🔹 Why?
- Use dollar sign and commas in numbers ($2,000).
- Two independent clauses → join with "and" + comma.
- "which is not fair" is a non-restrictive clause → comma before.
---
20. Ron who is 15 was doing his best to win the contest but he failed.
✔ Corrected: *Ron, who is 15, was doing his best to win the contest, but he failed.*
🔹 Why?
- "who is 15" is non-restrictive (we know which Ron) → commas.
- "but" joins two independent clauses → comma before.
---
- Introductory phrases/clauses → comma after.
- Appositives → commas around.
- Lists → commas between items; Oxford comma before "and".
- Dialogue → comma inside quotes after speech.
- Non-restrictive clauses (extra info) → commas around.
- Compound sentences → comma before coordinating conjunctions (and, but, so, etc.).
---
Task: Put commas in the text.
Let’s go through the paragraph and insert commas where necessary.
> Last week I decided to visit my best friend John. He is a very smart handsome and kind person and he always manages to find some time for me. Last week however the situation was different. Because he had just got a new job John had very little free time. Nevertheless he managed to arrange a quick 15-minute-long meeting in the "Blue Rose" café which is said to be owned by a very famous actor. I was wearing my checked red green and blue T-shirt my brown trousers and a pair of sneakers. I arrived at 9:30 and John at 9:45. The waiter who was working that day took our order. We weren't hungry so we only ordered drinks. John who seemed rather tired told me that his new job was very time-consuming demanding and difficult. "I don't know if I'll manage to work like that for long" John said. However he also admitted that his job had advantages some of which were: a comfortable working environment free lunch for each employee and a salary of 11000 USD. "That's a lot of money!" I said. "Do you even know" I asked "what to spend it on?" John had no ideas but if I had that much money I would probably go on a long holiday renovate my house and buy a new car. That car would have to be fast comfortable and safe. Our conversation ended quickly because John had to go back to work and I had a bus back home to catch. When I reached for my wallet to pay for my drink John offered to pay for everything which was very nice of him. "That's something I can spend my money on" he said. "I can pay for my friends' drinks lunches and so on."
---
> Last week, I decided to visit my best friend John. He is a very smart, handsome, and kind person, and he always manages to find some time for me. Last week, however, the situation was different. Because he had just got a new job, John had very little free time. Nevertheless, he managed to arrange a quick 15-minute-long meeting in the "Blue Rose" café, which is said to be owned by a very famous actor. I was wearing my checked red, green, and blue T-shirt, my brown trousers, and a pair of sneakers. I arrived at 9:30 and John at 9:45. The waiter, who was working that day, took our order. We weren't hungry, so we only ordered drinks. John, who seemed rather tired, told me that his new job was very time-consuming, demanding, and difficult. "I don't know if I'll manage to work like that for long," John said. However, he also admitted that his job had advantages, some of which were: a comfortable working environment, free lunch for each employee, and a salary of $11,000 USD. "That's a lot of money!" I said. "Do you even know," I asked, "what to spend it on?" John had no ideas, but if I had that much money, I would probably go on a long holiday, renovate my house, and buy a new car. That car would have to be fast, comfortable, and safe. Our conversation ended quickly because John had to go back to work and I had a bus back home to catch. When I reached for my wallet to pay for my drink, John offered to pay for everything, which was very nice of him. "That's something I can spend my money on," he said. "I can pay for my friends' drinks, lunches, and so on."
---
1. Introductory phrases: Added commas after "Last week", "however", "Because...", "Nevertheless", "However", etc.
2. Lists:
- "smart, handsome, and kind"
- "red, green, and blue"
- "time-consuming, demanding, and difficult"
- "free lunch..., and a salary..."
- "go on a long holiday, renovate..., and buy..."
- "fast, comfortable, and safe"
- "drinks, lunches, and so on"
3. Appositives/relative clauses:
- "John, who seemed rather tired" → non-restrictive
- "The waiter, who was working that day" → non-restrictive
- "which is said to be owned..." → non-restrictive
4. Dialogue:
- Commas inside quotes: "I don't know...", "Do you even know," I asked, "what to spend it on?"
- Speaker tags separated by commas.
5. Compound sentences:
- "We weren't hungry, so we only ordered drinks."
- "John had no ideas, but if I had..." → comma before "but"
6. Numbers: $11,000 USD (with comma and dollar sign)
7. Quoted titles: "Blue Rose" café — correct usage.
---
- Always use commas to improve clarity and avoid ambiguity.
- Remember Oxford comma when listing items (especially in formal writing).
- Use commas before conjunctions joining independent clauses.
- Set off non-essential information with commas.
Let me know if you'd like a printable version or a summary table!
---
Exercise 1:
Task: Put commas in the sentences. Justify why you put them there.
We'll go through each sentence, add appropriate commas, and explain the reasoning.
---
1. When going on a trip I like to take my guitar with me.
✔ Corrected: *When going on a trip, I like to take my guitar with me.*
🔹 Why? A comma is needed after introductory phrases (like "When going on a trip") to separate them from the main clause.
---
2. I’ve been to France Germany China and Spain.
✔ Corrected: *I’ve been to France, Germany, China, and Spain.*
🔹 Why? When listing multiple items in a series, use commas between each item. The Oxford comma (before "and") is optional but recommended for clarity.
---
3. Next week I am going to have a party so I invited my friends Mark and Sue.
✔ Corrected: *Next week, I am going to have a party, so I invited my friends Mark and Sue.*
🔹 Why?
- "Next week" is an introductory phrase → needs a comma.
- "so" connects two independent clauses → requires a comma before it.
---
4. There are exactly 489741 people living in this city most of whom take a train a bus or a tram to work.
✔ Corrected: *There are exactly 489,741 people living in this city, most of whom take a train, a bus, or a tram to work.*
🔹 Why?
- Add commas in large numbers (489,741).
- Use a comma after the main clause before the relative clause ("most of whom...").
- Use commas in the list: "a train, a bus, or a tram".
---
5. "Look at this" he whispered.
✔ Corrected: *"Look at this," he whispered.*
🔹 Why? Quotation marks enclose the spoken words. A comma goes inside the quotation marks to separate the quote from the speaker tag.
---
6. Paulina his wife of many years decided to live in Greece.
✔ Corrected: *Paulina, his wife of many years, decided to live in Greece.*
🔹 Why? "his wife of many years" is an appositive (extra descriptive information), so it should be set off with commas.
---
7. As the plane was coming to a halt on the runway I was beginning to feel less nervous.
✔ Corrected: *As the plane was coming to a halt on the runway, I was beginning to feel less nervous.*
🔹 Why? "As the plane..." is an introductory dependent clause → needs a comma.
---
8. The thief had very impractical shoes so he couldn’t run very fast.
✔ Corrected: *The thief had very impractical shoes, so he couldn’t run very fast.*
🔹 Why? Two independent clauses joined by "so" → require a comma before the conjunction.
---
9. "I’m warning you" said the teacher "don’t even try to cheat or else you will be expelled from school."
✔ Corrected: *"I’m warning you," said the teacher, "don’t even try to cheat or else you will be expelled from school."*
🔹 Why?
- Comma after "you" inside the quote.
- Comma after "teacher" (speaker tag).
- Proper punctuation for dialogue with interruptions.
---
10. I dedicate this work to my brothers John Smith and God.
✔ Corrected: *I dedicate this work to my brothers John, Smith, and God.*
🔹 Why? List of names: "John, Smith, and God". Note: This may be humorous or metaphorical, but grammatically, commas separate the items.
---
11. Sarah the most intelligent pupil in the class was always late for school.
✔ Corrected: *Sarah, the most intelligent pupil in the class, was always late for school.*
🔹 Why? Appositive phrase describing Sarah → set off with commas.
---
12. I said that she is intelligent not pretty.
✔ Corrected: *I said that she is intelligent, not pretty.*
🔹 Why? "not pretty" contrasts with "intelligent" → comma helps clarify the contrast.
---
13. Once the storm was over we could sail to the island.
✔ Corrected: *Once the storm was over, we could sail to the island.*
🔹 Why? "Once the storm was over" is an introductory clause → needs a comma.
---
14. Given the terrible weather conditions it is surprising that the holiday was so enjoyable.
✔ Corrected: *Given the terrible weather conditions, it is surprising that the holiday was so enjoyable.*
🔹 Why? "Given..." is a prepositional phrase starting the sentence → needs a comma.
---
15. India a truly beautiful interesting and exotic country is now a popular tourist destination.
✔ Corrected: *India, a truly beautiful, interesting, and exotic country, is now a popular tourist destination.*
🔹 Why?
- Appositive phrase: "a truly beautiful, interesting, and exotic country" → set off with commas.
- Commas in the list of adjectives.
---
16. During lunch at the campus cafeteria Henry noticed the dirty tables the overworked cashiers and the high prices of food.
✔ Corrected: *During lunch at the campus cafeteria, Henry noticed the dirty tables, the overworked cashiers, and the high prices of food.*
🔹 Why?
- Introductory phrase → comma after "cafeteria".
- List of three items → use commas between them and Oxford comma before "and".
---
17. During the race I tried to keep up with Mark who can run 100 meters in under 12 seconds.
✔ Corrected: *During the race, I tried to keep up with Mark, who can run 100 meters in under 12 seconds.*
🔹 Why?
- "During the race" is introductory → comma.
- "who can run..." is a non-restrictive clause (adds extra info) → requires commas.
---
18. To study for the exam Bill drank seven cups of coffee which kept him awake all night.
✔ Corrected: *To study for the exam, Bill drank seven cups of coffee, which kept him awake all night.*
🔹 Why?
- "To study..." is an infinitive phrase → comma after.
- "which" refers to coffee (non-restrictive) → commas around the clause.
---
19. I only earn 2000 USD a month for my hard work and my wife gets 12000 USD which is not fair.
✔ Corrected: *I only earn $2,000 USD a month for my hard work, and my wife gets $12,000 USD, which is not fair.*
🔹 Why?
- Use dollar sign and commas in numbers ($2,000).
- Two independent clauses → join with "and" + comma.
- "which is not fair" is a non-restrictive clause → comma before.
---
20. Ron who is 15 was doing his best to win the contest but he failed.
✔ Corrected: *Ron, who is 15, was doing his best to win the contest, but he failed.*
🔹 Why?
- "who is 15" is non-restrictive (we know which Ron) → commas.
- "but" joins two independent clauses → comma before.
---
✔ Summary of Common Rules Used:
- Introductory phrases/clauses → comma after.
- Appositives → commas around.
- Lists → commas between items; Oxford comma before "and".
- Dialogue → comma inside quotes after speech.
- Non-restrictive clauses (extra info) → commas around.
- Compound sentences → comma before coordinating conjunctions (and, but, so, etc.).
---
Exercise 2:
Task: Put commas in the text.
Let’s go through the paragraph and insert commas where necessary.
> Last week I decided to visit my best friend John. He is a very smart handsome and kind person and he always manages to find some time for me. Last week however the situation was different. Because he had just got a new job John had very little free time. Nevertheless he managed to arrange a quick 15-minute-long meeting in the "Blue Rose" café which is said to be owned by a very famous actor. I was wearing my checked red green and blue T-shirt my brown trousers and a pair of sneakers. I arrived at 9:30 and John at 9:45. The waiter who was working that day took our order. We weren't hungry so we only ordered drinks. John who seemed rather tired told me that his new job was very time-consuming demanding and difficult. "I don't know if I'll manage to work like that for long" John said. However he also admitted that his job had advantages some of which were: a comfortable working environment free lunch for each employee and a salary of 11000 USD. "That's a lot of money!" I said. "Do you even know" I asked "what to spend it on?" John had no ideas but if I had that much money I would probably go on a long holiday renovate my house and buy a new car. That car would have to be fast comfortable and safe. Our conversation ended quickly because John had to go back to work and I had a bus back home to catch. When I reached for my wallet to pay for my drink John offered to pay for everything which was very nice of him. "That's something I can spend my money on" he said. "I can pay for my friends' drinks lunches and so on."
---
✔ Corrected Version with Commas:
> Last week, I decided to visit my best friend John. He is a very smart, handsome, and kind person, and he always manages to find some time for me. Last week, however, the situation was different. Because he had just got a new job, John had very little free time. Nevertheless, he managed to arrange a quick 15-minute-long meeting in the "Blue Rose" café, which is said to be owned by a very famous actor. I was wearing my checked red, green, and blue T-shirt, my brown trousers, and a pair of sneakers. I arrived at 9:30 and John at 9:45. The waiter, who was working that day, took our order. We weren't hungry, so we only ordered drinks. John, who seemed rather tired, told me that his new job was very time-consuming, demanding, and difficult. "I don't know if I'll manage to work like that for long," John said. However, he also admitted that his job had advantages, some of which were: a comfortable working environment, free lunch for each employee, and a salary of $11,000 USD. "That's a lot of money!" I said. "Do you even know," I asked, "what to spend it on?" John had no ideas, but if I had that much money, I would probably go on a long holiday, renovate my house, and buy a new car. That car would have to be fast, comfortable, and safe. Our conversation ended quickly because John had to go back to work and I had a bus back home to catch. When I reached for my wallet to pay for my drink, John offered to pay for everything, which was very nice of him. "That's something I can spend my money on," he said. "I can pay for my friends' drinks, lunches, and so on."
---
🔍 Explanation of Key Changes:
1. Introductory phrases: Added commas after "Last week", "however", "Because...", "Nevertheless", "However", etc.
2. Lists:
- "smart, handsome, and kind"
- "red, green, and blue"
- "time-consuming, demanding, and difficult"
- "free lunch..., and a salary..."
- "go on a long holiday, renovate..., and buy..."
- "fast, comfortable, and safe"
- "drinks, lunches, and so on"
3. Appositives/relative clauses:
- "John, who seemed rather tired" → non-restrictive
- "The waiter, who was working that day" → non-restrictive
- "which is said to be owned..." → non-restrictive
4. Dialogue:
- Commas inside quotes: "I don't know...", "Do you even know," I asked, "what to spend it on?"
- Speaker tags separated by commas.
5. Compound sentences:
- "We weren't hungry, so we only ordered drinks."
- "John had no ideas, but if I had..." → comma before "but"
6. Numbers: $11,000 USD (with comma and dollar sign)
7. Quoted titles: "Blue Rose" café — correct usage.
---
✔ Final Notes:
- Always use commas to improve clarity and avoid ambiguity.
- Remember Oxford comma when listing items (especially in formal writing).
- Use commas before conjunctions joining independent clauses.
- Set off non-essential information with commas.
Let me know if you'd like a printable version or a summary table!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of punctuation worksheet high school.
