Learning to use commas and other punctuation with confidence requires a basic understanding of sentence structure. If you know how sentences are structured, then it is easy to understand how punctuation helps writers negotiate their expressions. I hope that these worksheets, resources, and activities will help you better learn or teach comma and punctuation usage.
Commas or Semicolons Worksheet 1: Determine whether the clauses need to be joined with commas or semicolons. Put the proper punctuation on the blank. Then write original sentences using semicolons.
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Commas or Semicolons Worksheet 2 – Want a reason to celebrate? How about another 20 problem comma or semicolon worksheet? Wait. It gets better. You can complete it online using any device with a modern Internet browser. Seriously. Try it out.
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Comma Uses Handout – Not actually a worksheet, but a handout that show students 10 uses for commas and also details some frequent misuses.
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Commas, Colons, and Semicolons PowerPoint Lesson – This animated slideshow will teach students about the appropriate and necessary conditions for using punctuation. This lesson includes a practice activity after the lesson.
Commas, Colons, and Semicolons PowerPoint Lesson PPT
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.2 – Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.2c – Use commas in dates and to separate single words in a series.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.2b – Use commas in greetings and closings of letters.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.2b – Use commas in addresses.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.2c – Use commas and quotation marks in dialogue.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.2b – Use commas and quotation marks to mark direct speech and quotations from a text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.2c – Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.2a – Use punctuation to separate items in a series.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.2b – Use a comma to separate an introductory element from the rest of the sentence.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.2c – Use a comma to set off the words yes and no (e.g., Yes, thank you), to set off a tag question from the rest of the sentence (e.g., It’s true, isn’t it?), and to indicate direct address (e.g., Is that you, Steve?).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.2a – Use punctuation (commas, parentheses, dashes) to set off nonrestrictive/parenthetical elements.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.2a – Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives (e.g., It was a fascinating, enjoyable movie but not He wore an old[,] green shirt).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.2a – Use punctuation (comma, ellipsis, dash) to indicate a pause or break.