Comma rules worksheets
Aligned with Common Core L.5.2
Printable fifth-grade comma worksheets: a chart, commas in a list, commas after an opener, yes, no and tag questions, commas around the name of someone you're talking to, writing titles, and paragraphs to edit.
The worksheets
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Comma Rules Chart
Six places to use a comma, each with an example, a note that the comma before and in a list is optional, and how to write the titles of long and short works.
Commas in a List
Sentences with lists of words and phrases that need commas. The answer key shows the comma before and or or in gray because it's optional. Fewer, Standard or More give 6, 8 or 10 sentences.
Comma After an Opener
Sentences that start with a word, phrase or clause like "However," "In the morning," or "When the rain stopped," and need a comma. Fewer, Standard or More give 6, 8 or 10. Includes an answer key.
Yes, No and Tag Questions
Sentences that start with yes or no or end with a tag question like "isn't it?" Fewer, Standard or More give 6, 8 or 10. Includes an answer key.
Talking to Someone
Sentences that speak to someone by name at the start, middle or end. Fewer, Standard or More give 6, 8 or 10. Includes an answer key.
Writing Titles
Made-up titles of books, movies, magazines, songs, poems, stories and articles to sort and write correctly. Fewer, Standard or More give 6, 8 or 10. Includes an answer key.
Edit the Paragraph
Three short original paragraphs with commas missing for lists, openers, yes and no, tag questions, names and joined sentences. New sheet gives a different paragraph. Includes an answer key.
Print the whole packet
One copy of every sheet above, in order. Tap + for more copies (up to 10).
For the parent or teacher
What it is
Commas tell a reader where to pause and which words go together. Fifth graders use commas between items in a list, after an opener like "After lunch," or "However," after yes and no, before a tag question like "isn't it?" and around the name of someone being spoken to. They also learn to underline or italicize the titles of long works, like books and movies, and to put the titles of short works, like songs and poems, in quotation marks.
What comes next
Research reports.
How to teach it
- Teach in order or jump to whatever your student needs. A student may know where commas go in a list and still be building the habit of using them after openers.
- Read sentences aloud and listen for the natural pause where a comma belongs.
- Show how a comma can change meaning, like "Let's eat, Grandma!" and "Let's eat Grandma!"
- The comma before and in a list is a style choice. Pick one way with your student and use it every time.
Common mistakes
- Leaving out the comma after an opener, especially a long one.
- Forgetting the second comma when a name comes in the middle of a sentence.
- Putting a comma before every and, even when it isn't joining items or sentences.
- Putting the title of a book in quotation marks or the title of a song in italics.