Language Arts: Comma Rules and Semicolons
Using commas and semicolons correctly in sentences
Language Arts: Comma Rules and Semicolons
Using commas and semicolons correctly in sentences
Language Arts - Grade 6-8
- 1
Add commas where needed: After dinner we washed the dishes.
Look for words that introduce the main part of the sentence.
The correct sentence is: After dinner, we washed the dishes. A comma comes after the introductory phrase. - 2
Add commas where needed: My sister who loves mystery novels finished the book in one day.
The correct sentence is: My sister, who loves mystery novels, finished the book in one day. Commas set off the nonessential phrase. - 3
Choose the correct punctuation and rewrite the sentence: I wanted to go outside it was raining.
Check whether the sentence has two complete thoughts joined by a conjunction.
The correct sentence is: I wanted to go outside, but it was raining. A comma is used before the coordinating conjunction but to join two independent clauses. - 4
Use a semicolon correctly in this sentence: Maya finished her homework she turned on the television.
The correct sentence is: Maya finished her homework; she turned on the television. A semicolon can join two closely related independent clauses. - 5
Add commas where needed in the series: We packed sandwiches apples granola bars and water bottles.
Count the items in the list.
The correct sentence is: We packed sandwiches, apples, granola bars, and water bottles. Commas separate items in a series. - 6
Rewrite the sentence with correct punctuation: Yes I would like to help.
The correct sentence is: Yes, I would like to help. A comma follows the introductory word yes. - 7
Add commas where needed: Carlos, please bring your notebook to class.
Look for a name used in direct address.
The sentence is already correct: Carlos, please bring your notebook to class. A comma sets off the person being addressed directly. - 8
Decide whether the sentence needs a comma or a semicolon: The storm ended the streets were still flooded.
The correct sentence is: The storm ended; the streets were still flooded. A semicolon correctly joins two related independent clauses without a conjunction. - 9
Add commas where needed: On Saturday morning before practice I ate a banana.
The sentence begins with more than one introductory part.
The correct sentence is: On Saturday morning, before practice, I ate a banana. Commas set off the introductory elements. - 10
Correct the punctuation: We visited Denver Colorado and Santa Fe New Mexico last summer.
The correct sentence is: We visited Denver, Colorado, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, last summer. Commas separate the city and state names. - 11
Rewrite the sentence with correct punctuation: My favorite subjects are science because I enjoy experiments and history because I like learning about the past.
Look for extra explanatory parts after each subject.
One correct sentence is: My favorite subjects are science, because I enjoy experiments, and history, because I like learning about the past. Commas can separate the added explanatory parts, though this sentence may also be revised for clarity. - 12
Use semicolons to separate items in this list: On our trip we visited Albany New York Boston Massachusetts and Concord New Hampshire.
The correct sentence is: On our trip we visited Albany, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; and Concord, New Hampshire. Semicolons separate list items that already contain commas. - 13
Add commas where needed: However we still had enough time to finish the project.
Transition words at the beginning are often followed by a comma.
The correct sentence is: However, we still had enough time to finish the project. A comma follows the introductory transition word. - 14
Choose the correct punctuation and rewrite the sentence: Elena practiced for weeks; and she felt ready for the recital.
The correct sentence is: Elena practiced for weeks, and she felt ready for the recital. A comma, not a semicolon, is used before and when it joins two independent clauses. - 15
Write your own sentence that uses a comma in a series and a semicolon between two independent clauses.
Include a list of three items before or after the semicolon.
Answers will vary. One example is: I packed pencils, paper, and markers; then I headed to art class. The comma separates items in a series, and the semicolon joins two related independent clauses.