5th Grade Commas in Complex Sentences Worksheet
Complex sentences earn commas in three places: after an opening clause, before a conjunction joining two clauses, and around words that interrupt the sentence.
- Homework
- Review
- Test Prep
- Centers
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No sign-up required. Clean, low-ink US Letter format.
- Grade
- 5th Grade
- Subject
- Grammar
- Skill
- Commas
- Topic
- commas in complex sentences
- Difficulty
- Standard
- Time
- 15 minutes
- Pages
- 2 (incl. answer key)
- Format
- Printable PDF (US Letter)
- Answer key
- Included
- Best for
- homework, review, test prep, centers
Worksheet details
What This Worksheet Practices
Students will add commas after introductory clauses, before conjunctions that join two clauses, and around interrupters.
- Commas after introductory clauses
- Commas before and, but, yet, so joining clauses
- Commas around appositives and interrupters
Inside This Printable
Student directions: Add commas where they are needed and rewrite each sentence with the commas in place.
Worked example
After the rain stopped we went outside. -> After the rain stopped, we went outside.
Sample questions
- After the rain stopped we went outside.
- Because it was late we hurried home.
- I finished my homework but I still had chores.
The PDF contains 12 practice questions plus 2 challenge questions.
Worksheet Preview
Commas that organize clauses
Complex sentences combine ideas, and commas show where one idea hands off to the next. There are three reliable spots: after an opening clause (When the bell rings,), before a conjunction that joins two clauses (…, but I still had chores), and around an interrupter (Sam, my best friend,).
How to use it
Pause-test each comma: read the sentence aloud and let the comma be a beat. Start with commas in a series for the basics.
👩🏫 Teacher note
Test each comma: pause where the comma goes, then ask if the part before it is a full idea. Interrupters can be lifted out and the sentence still makes sense.
🏠 Parent note
Read the sentence aloud without the comma and with it. The comma marks a natural pause.
Common Mistakes to Watch For
- Dropping the comma after an introductory clause
- Adding a comma before 'but' when no second clause follows
Answer Key
Every comma is shown in the corrected sentence.
⬇ Download Answer Key (PDF)Related Worksheets
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