Comma Worksheet Answer Key

1. Scrooge was a miserly man he hated Christmas.

Answer: Scrooge was a miserly man, he hated Christmas.

Explanation: A comma is needed to separate two independent clauses. The sentence has two complete thoughts that are joined by a conjunction.

2. Fred wished Scrooge a Merry Christmas but Scrooge only grumbled.

Answer: Fred wished Scrooge a Merry Christmas, but Scrooge only grumbled.

Explanation: The comma separates two independent clauses connected by "but." Both parts of the sentence can stand alone, so a comma is necessary.

3. Bob Cratchit shivered at his desk and asked Scrooge for more coal.

Answer: Bob Cratchit shivered at his desk and asked Scrooge for more coal.

Explanation: No comma is needed here because this is a compound predicate, not two independent clauses.

4. When the clock struck one, the Ghost of Christmas Past appeared.

Answer: When the clock struck one, the Ghost of Christmas Past appeared.

Explanation: The comma is placed after the introductory clause "When the clock struck one" to clarify the sentence structure.

5. Marley warned Scrooge to change his ways or face a grim future.

Answer: Marley warned Scrooge to change his ways, or face a grim future.

Explanation: A comma is required before "or" because the two clauses can stand alone as independent sentences.

6. Scrooge saw his old employer Fezziwig and he remembered his youth.

Answer: Scrooge saw his old employer, Fezziwig, and he remembered his youth.

Explanation: Commas are used around "Fezziwig" because it is a nonessential appositive providing extra information.

7. The Cratchit family gathered around a small Christmas dinner they were happy despite their struggles.

Answer: The Cratchit family gathered around a small Christmas dinner; they were happy despite their struggles.

Explanation: A semicolon is needed here because both parts of the sentence could stand as independent clauses.

8. Scrooge saw a grave in the cemetery and he realized it was his own.

Answer: Scrooge saw a grave in the cemetery, and he realized it was his own.

Explanation: The comma separates two independent clauses joined by the conjunction "and."

9. He had been selfish he had been greedy and now he was alone.

Answer: He had been selfish, he had been greedy, and now he was alone.

Explanation: Commas are used to separate the items in the list: "selfish," "greedy," and "alone." The Oxford comma is used to clarify the meaning.

10. Scrooge felt a great change in his heart he rushed to buy a turkey for the Cratchits.

Answer: Scrooge felt a great change in his heart, and he rushed to buy a turkey for the Cratchits.

Explanation: The comma separates two independent clauses joined by the conjunction "and."