What kinds of openers show up at this level?

Prepositional phrases (under the new schedule), dependent clauses (although the problem looked simple), and transitions (according to the survey). Longer openers make the comma more necessary, not less; without it, readers crash into the subject.

How does this skill improve writing style?

Varied sentence openings are what make paragraphs sound mature, and the introductory comma is the license for that variety. A writer who can front-load a sentence confidently, and punctuate it correctly, escapes the subject-first monotony typical of middle school drafts.

6th grade commas after introductory phrases

6th grade commas after introductory phrases worksheets

Sixth graders handle longer and layered openers (at the edge of the meadow, by the time we arrived) and place the comma at the true boundary, exactly where a natural reader takes a breath.

Free printable PDF worksheet.

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

Add the missing comma to each sentence.

Thanks to the volunteers the shelter reopened early.
Fixed: Thanks to the volunteers, the shelter reopened early.
Since the move to Maple Street my cousin writes every month.
While the glue dried we sketched our next project.

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 6th grade sheet

6th grade sheets draw from 60 sentences, 8 to a page. 5th and 6th grade print from the same 60 sentences. The teaching notes below are written for this grade.

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

Despite the muddy track, she set a personal record.
Although the problem looked simple, it took two pages.
Just before sunrise, the campground goes strangely quiet.

Fix it. Add the missing comma to each sentence. 8 sentences to fix per page.
Choose the sentence. Circle the letter of the sentence with the comma in the right place. 8 questions per page.

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

How to teach this

Have students write their own pairs: the same sentence with and without its opener. Moving the opener around (or deleting it) shows that it's a detachable unit, which is exactly why it takes a comma. In editing work, hunting for lost introductory commas in their own drafts transfers the skill where it matters.

Watch for: The comma comes at the end of the whole opening phrase, not after its first word. Short openers like 'Yesterday' follow the same rule: Yesterday, we won.

Common questions about 6th grade commas after introductory phrases

What kinds of openers show up at this level?: Prepositional phrases (under the new schedule), dependent clauses (although the problem looked simple), and transitions (according to the survey). Longer openers make the comma more necessary, not less; without it, readers crash into the subject.
How does this skill improve writing style?: Varied sentence openings are what make paragraphs sound mature, and the introductory comma is the license for that variety. A writer who can front-load a sentence confidently, and punctuate it correctly, escapes the subject-first monotony typical of middle school drafts.

6th grade commas after introductory phrases worksheets

The kind of sentences you'll fix

What's on a 6th grade sheet

How to teach this

Common questions about 6th grade commas after introductory phrases

Related worksheets

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