Exclamation point or comma?

Strength decides: Ouch! earns the exclamation point; Well, and Hmm, take a comma and a calmer voice. Both patterns appear across the sheets.

Why does a fifth grade standard cover this?

L.5.1.a asks students to explain interjections' function: feeling, set apart from grammar. Choosing the right one per sentence is that function in action.

5th grade interjections

5th grade interjections worksheets

Fifth graders match interjections precisely, L.5.1.a's home turf, and notice the punctuation choice between the exclamation point and the comma.

Free printable PDF worksheet, aligned to Common Core L.5.1.a.

Each print is a different sheet with its own answer key. You don't need to sign up.

The kind of sentences you'll fix

Choose the interjection that matches the feeling, and write it on the line.

(Aww / Whoa / Yum)! The buzzer beat her layup by a blink.
Fixed: Aww! The buzzer beat her layup by a blink.
(Aww / Mmm / Yikes)! The science fair is a week earlier this year.
(Hooray / Hush / Yum), the deer are close enough to count spots.

Every print pulls a new set of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different mix.

What's on a 5th grade sheet

5th grade sheets draw from 40 sentences, 8 to a page. 4th to 6th grade print from the same 40 sentences. The teaching notes below are written for this grade.

A few of the sentences, as the answer key corrects them:

Aha! Found the last hide-and-seek holdout.
Wow! She cleared the bar on her first try.
Aww! The puppies finally opened their eyes.

Fix it. Choose the interjection that matches the feeling, and write it on the line. 8 sentences to fix per page.

Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.

How to teach this

Perform the page: each interjection read flat, then read with its true feeling. The gap between Shh! whispered and Shh! said like a robot teaches what interjections are FOR.

Watch for: The interjection must match the emotion of the sentence behind it: Yum belongs to food, Brr to cold, Phew to relief. Mismatches sound instantly wrong, which is the fun of the practice. Strong interjections take an exclamation point; mild ones settle for a comma: Well, look who's up. The punctuation is part of the meaning.

Common questions about 5th grade interjections

Exclamation point or comma?: Strength decides: Ouch! earns the exclamation point; Well, and Hmm, take a comma and a calmer voice. Both patterns appear across the sheets.
Why does a fifth grade standard cover this?: L.5.1.a asks students to explain interjections' function: feeling, set apart from grammar. Choosing the right one per sentence is that function in action.

Related worksheets

Ready to print one?

Need a fresh set of sentences? Download another copy.

Aligned to Common Core L.5.1.a. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 241, updated August 2026.

Spot a mistake on this sheet? Tell us. · About these worksheets