Commas in Compound Sentences Worksheets
A compound sentence joins two complete thoughts with a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so, yet), and a comma marks the seam: the bell rang, but nobody moved. Fourth graders learn to test each half, and if both could stand alone as sentences, the comma goes before the joining word.
By grade
What students need to know
When two complete sentences join with and, but, or, so, or yet, a comma goes before the joining word: It rained, so we read inside.
This skill runs from 4th grade through 5th grade. Pick a grade above for level-matched sentences, teaching notes, and worksheets.
Commas in Compound Sentences across the grades
4th Grade
A compound sentence joins two complete thoughts with a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so, yet), and a comma marks the seam: the bell rang, but nobody moved. Fourth graders learn to test each half, and if both could stand alone as sentences, the comma goes before the joining word.
5th Grade
Fifth graders punctuate compound sentences automatically and use the both-halves test to decide when the comma belongs, which prevents the opposite error of sprinkling commas before every and. The skill anchors the sentence-combining work that makes writing flow.