Commas Before Joining Words · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Commas Before Joining Words

English · Grammar & Punctuation · ages 9-11
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. The sentence 'The sun came out, and the birds started singing' has the comma in the right place.

    Circle one:   True   False

  2. Which sentence uses the comma correctly?

    • Ben wanted a snack so, he made a sandwich.
    • Ben wanted a snack so he made a sandwich.
    • Ben wanted a snack, so he made a sandwich.

  3. Which sentence uses the comma correctly?

    • We can watch a movie or, we can play a game.
    • We can watch a movie or we can play a game.
    • We can watch a movie, or we can play a game.

  4. In the sentence 'The dog barked and the cat ran away,' where should the comma go?

    • Right after 'and'
    • This sentence does not need a comma
    • Right before 'and'

  5. Fix the missing comma: 'The puzzle was hard yet Maya solved it.'

    • The puzzle was hard yet, Maya solved it.
    • The puzzle was hard, yet Maya solved it.
    • The puzzle, was hard yet Maya solved it.

  6. Fix the missing comma: 'The movie ended so we walked home.'

    • The movie ended, so we walked home.
    • The movie, ended so we walked home.
    • The movie ended so, we walked home.

  7. Which sentence has the comma in the right place?

    • We packed our bags and, we left early.
    • We packed, our bags and we left early.
    • We packed our bags, and we left early.

  8. Which of these sentences does NOT need a comma before the joining word?

    • Sam kicked the ball and scored a goal.
    • My hands were cold so I put on gloves.
    • The wind blew and the leaves danced.

  9. How many commas are missing from this sentence? 'Zara baked bread and her sister made soup but the mail never came.'

    Answer: ______________

  10. One of these sentences is missing a comma. Which one?

    • Ben plays guitar and drums.
    • The bell rang but the class kept talking.
    • The rain stopped, and the sun came out.
LightMySky · lightmysky.comW1-mt_j2idD_jq73-s1

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Commas Before Joining Words W1-mt_j2idD_jq73-s1

  1. True · Both sides are complete thoughts, and the comma sits right before 'and,' exactly where it belongs.
  2. Ben wanted a snack, so he made a sandwich. · Two complete thoughts joined by 'so' need a comma right before it.
  3. We can watch a movie, or we can play a game. · Two complete thoughts joined by 'or' need a comma right before it.
  4. Right before 'and' · Both 'the dog barked' and 'the cat ran away' are complete thoughts, so the comma goes right before 'and.'
  5. The puzzle was hard, yet Maya solved it. · Insert the comma right before 'yet,' since both sides are complete thoughts.
  6. The movie ended, so we walked home. · Insert the comma right before 'so,' since both sides are complete thoughts.
  7. We packed our bags, and we left early. · The comma goes right before the joining word 'and,' separating the two complete thoughts.
  8. Sam kicked the ball and scored a goal. · 'Scored a goal' has no subject of its own, so this is one subject doing two actions, and it needs no comma.
  9. 2 · The sentence has three complete thoughts joined by 'and' and 'but,' so it needs a comma before each joining word.
  10. The bell rang but the class kept talking. · 'The class kept talking' is a complete thought on its own, so it needs a comma before 'but.'
Worksheet · LightMySky