Comma Rules Worksheet: Gandhi & Martin Luther King Jr.

Comma Usage Guide

Conjunctions: Use commas before conjunctions like and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet when they join independent clauses.

Introductory Phrases: Use commas after introductory words or phrases, such as However, In the morning, After school, Yes, No, On the other hand.

Lists: Use commas to separate items in a list of three or more things. Example: apples, oranges, bananas.

Independent Clauses: When two independent clauses are joined by a conjunction, use a comma before the conjunction.

Informational Passage: Gandhi’s Influence on Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. was deeply influenced by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, a leader who fought for India's independence through nonviolent resistance. Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence, or ahimsa, taught that peaceful protest could lead to social change. King first learned about Gandhi's principles when he was in college. At that time, King was struggling with his own beliefs about how to fight racial injustice. Gandhi's teachings inspired King to lead the Civil Rights Movement using peaceful means, even in the face of violence. As a result, King adopted many of Gandhi's methods, such as boycotts, sit-ins, and marches, to peacefully challenge segregation and discrimination. The influence of Gandhi's nonviolent resistance was so strong that King referred to Gandhi as "the guiding light of our movement." This inspiration helped shape the future of the Civil Rights Movement and played a key role in achieving legislative victories for equality in the United States.

Comma Practice

1. "Martin Luther King Jr. was deeply influenced by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, a leader who fought for India’s independence through nonviolent resistance."
Does this sentence need a comma? If yes, write the corrected sentence in the space below.
2. "Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence or ahimsa taught that peaceful protest could lead to social change."
Does this sentence need a comma? If yes, write the corrected sentence in the space below.
3. "King first learned about Gandhi's principles when he was in college, at that time King was struggling with his own beliefs about how to fight racial injustice."
Does this sentence need a comma? If yes, write the corrected sentence in the space below.
4. "Gandhi’s teachings inspired King to lead the Civil Rights Movement using peaceful means even in the face of violence."
Does this sentence need a comma? If yes, write the corrected sentence in the space below.
5. "King referred to Gandhi as the guiding light of our movement, this inspiration helped shape the future of the Civil Rights Movement."
Does this sentence need a comma? If yes, write the corrected sentence in the space below.
6. "As a result King adopted many of Gandhi's methods, such as boycotts, sit-ins, and marches to peacefully challenge segregation."
Does this sentence need a comma? If yes, write the corrected sentence in the space below.
7. "Gandhi’s philosophy, which emphasized nonviolence, inspired people all over the world to fight for justice in peaceful ways."
Does this sentence need a comma? If yes, write the corrected sentence in the space below.
8. "King’s commitment to nonviolent resistance was influenced by Gandhi, yet King also adapted Gandhi’s methods to fit the context of America’s racial struggles."
Does this sentence need a comma? If yes, write the corrected sentence in the space below.
9. "While Gandhi fought for India’s independence, King fought for the civil rights of African Americans in the United States."
Does this sentence need a comma? If yes, write the corrected sentence in the space below.
10. "This inspiration helped shape the future of the Civil Rights Movement, and played a key role in achieving legislative victories for equality in the United States."
Does this sentence need a comma? If yes, write the corrected sentence in the space below.