Grade 6 Commas & Clauses worksheet
from Gradelings · Name: ______________________
How to explain it
- A dependent clause starts with words like if, although, because or when and can’t stand alone.
- Simple: one clause. Compound: two independent clauses joined by and, but or so. Complex: an independent clause plus a dependent one.
- Use commas in lists, before and/but/so in compound sentences, after an opening clause and around appositives.
Example: “Although it was late, we kept reading.” Why does it need a comma? “Although it was late” is a dependent clause. It comes first, so a comma sets it off. Answer: It sets off an introductory dependent clause.
Question 1
Which part is the dependent (subordinate) clause?
We stayed inside until the storm passed.
- until the storm passed
- the storm
- stayed inside until
- We stayed inside
until the storm passed
Hint: Dependent clauses can come at the end too. Look for “until.”
Question 2
Why does this sentence need a comma? “Although it was late, we kept reading.”
- It sets off an introductory dependent clause.
- It joins two complete sentences with no conjunction.
- It sets off a speaker's exact words.
- It separates items in a list.
It sets off an introductory dependent clause.
Hint: “Although it was late” can't stand alone, and it comes first.
Question 3
What type of sentence is this?
Kenji set the table, and his sister made the salad.
- Simple
- Complex
- Compound
Compound
Hint: It joins two independent clauses (with a comma and a conjunction, or a semicolon) and has no dependent clause.
Question 4
Why is there a comma in this sentence? “Ravi made dinner, and Ana washed the dishes.”
- It comes before “and” to join two independent clauses.
- It sets off an introductory word.
- It separates a dependent clause at the end.
- It separates items in a list.
It comes before “and” to join two independent clauses.
Hint: Both “Ravi made dinner” and “Ana washed the dishes” could stand alone.
Question 5
Which sentence uses a comma correctly?
- When the movie, ended everyone clapped.
- When the movie ended everyone, clapped.
- When, the movie ended everyone clapped.
- When the movie ended, everyone clapped.
When the movie ended, everyone clapped.
Hint: Put a comma after an introductory dependent clause, right before the main clause begins.
Question 6
Which word is the subordinating conjunction?
Leo stayed up late because the meteor shower was tonight.
- shower
- because
- tonight
because
Hint: A subordinating conjunction starts a dependent clause: because, when, if, since, until, although…
Question 7
Which sentence uses commas correctly in a list?
- We packed sandwiches, apples, and juice.
- We packed, sandwiches apples and juice.
- We packed sandwiches, apples, and, juice.
We packed sandwiches, apples, and juice.
Hint: Put commas between the items in a list, not after the verb or after “and.” (The comma before “and” is optional.)
Question 8
Which sentence uses commas correctly?
- My neighbour a retired pilot, tells great stories.
- My neighbour, a retired pilot tells great stories.
- My neighbour, a retired pilot, tells great stories.
- My, neighbour a retired pilot tells great stories.
My neighbour, a retired pilot, tells great stories.
Hint: An appositive renames a noun. Put a comma on both sides of it.
Question 9
Combine these with “because”: “The road was icy. The buses were late.”
- The road was icy because the buses were late.
- The buses were late, because, the road was icy.
- Because the road was icy.
- The buses were late because the road was icy.
The buses were late because the road was icy.
Hint: Which event caused the other? “Because” goes in front of the cause.
Answer key
- 1. until the storm passed
- 2. It sets off an introductory dependent clause.
- 3. Compound
- 4. It comes before “and” to join two independent clauses.
- 5. When the movie ended, everyone clapped.
- 6. because
- 7. We packed sandwiches, apples, and juice.
- 8. My neighbour, a retired pilot, tells great stories.
- 9. The buses were late because the road was icy.
Want more than 9 questions?
In Gradelings the questions change every time and adjust to your child, with hints and kind feedback.