Commas, Semicolons, Dashes & Ellipses Worksheet for Grades 6–8 (Ages 11–14) — Grammar Practice & Printable

Instructions

Read the explanations for each punctuation mark. Then, rewrite the sentences below, inserting the correct punctuation (commas, semicolons, dashes, or ellipses) where needed. Some sentences may require more than one punctuation mark.

Part 1: Commas (,)

Commas are used to separate items in a list, to join two independent clauses with a conjunction (like and, but, or), to set off introductory elements, and to separate non-essential information from the rest of the sentence.

1. I went to the store to buy apples bananas and oranges.
2. After the long and tiring hike we finally reached the summit.
3. She is a talented artist and she hopes to have her own gallery one day.
4. The dog a fluffy golden retriever chased the ball across the park.
5. Yes I think that is a wonderful idea.

Part 2: Semicolons (;)

Semicolons are used to connect two closely related independent clauses (complete sentences) that are not joined by a conjunction. They can also be used to separate items in a complex list where the items themselves contain commas.

1. The sun set over the horizon the sky turned a brilliant shade of pink.
2. He arrived early for the meeting he wanted to be prepared.
3. Our team will include Sarah Lee the project manager Tom Chen the lead designer and Maria Garcia the head writer.
4. The old car sputtered and stalled we knew it wouldn't make it much further.

Part 3: Dashes (—)

Dashes are used to set off a word or phrase for emphasis, to signal an abrupt change in thought, or to set off parenthetical information that needs a stronger separation than commas would provide.

1. There is only one thing she wants for her birthday a puppy.
2. The solution to the problem a surprisingly simple one was discovered by accident.
3. I was about to leave for the store oh wait I forgot my wallet.
4. My three best friends Anna Ben and Chloe are all coming to the party.

Part 4: Ellipses (...)

Ellipses are used to show that words have been omitted from a quotation. They are also used to indicate a pause, hesitation, or a thought that trails off unfinished.

1. The famous line from the speech is, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged "
2. I'm not sure what to do maybe I should just wait.
3. He slowly counted "One two three " before opening his eyes.
4. The instructions read, "First, open the box then, assemble the parts as shown in Figure A."

Part 5: Mixed Practice

Insert the correct punctuation into the following sentences. Each sentence may require commas, semicolons, dashes, or ellipses.

1. My favorite subjects are history English and science but I find math difficult.
2. The final ingredient the one that makes all the difference is a pinch of sea salt.
3. I can't believe he said that I'm speechless.
4. We visited several historic sites in the city the old courthouse the original town square and the battlefield.
5. She took a deep breath and began "I need to tell you something "

Answer Key

Part 1: Commas

1. I went to the store to buy apples, bananas, and oranges.
2. After the long and tiring hike, we finally reached the summit.
3. She is a talented artist, and she hopes to have her own gallery one day.
4. The dog, a fluffy golden retriever, chased the ball across the park.
5. Yes, I think that is a wonderful idea.

Part 2: Semicolons

1. The sun set over the horizon; the sky turned a brilliant shade of pink.
2. He arrived early for the meeting; he wanted to be prepared.
3. Our team will include Sarah Lee, the project manager; Tom Chen, the lead designer; and Maria Garcia, the head writer.
4. The old car sputtered and stalled; we knew it wouldn't make it much further.

Part 3: Dashes

1. There is only one thing she wants for her birthday—a puppy.
2. The solution to the problem—a surprisingly simple one—was discovered by accident.
3. I was about to leave for the store—oh wait, I forgot my wallet.
4. My three best friends—Anna, Ben, and Chloe—are all coming to the party.

Part 4: Ellipses

1. The famous line from the speech is, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged..."
2. I'm not sure what to do... maybe I should just wait.
3. He slowly counted "One... two... three..." before opening his eyes.
4. The instructions read, "First, open the box... then, assemble the parts as shown in Figure A."

Part 5: Mixed Practice

1. My favorite subjects are history, English, and science, but I find math difficult.
2. The final ingredient—the one that makes all the difference—is a pinch of sea salt.
3. I can't believe he said that; I'm speechless.
4. We visited several historic sites in the city: the old courthouse, the original town square, and the battlefield. (A semicolon could also work here if listing complex items).
5. She took a deep breath and began, "I need to tell you something..."