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Commas with Introductory Elements - Printable ELA Worksheets 8th Grade - Wayground

Commas with Introductory Elements

Hope Brinkman

Created by Hope Brinkman

10 questions

8th Grade

ELA

Updated Oct 2026

This Grade 8 English worksheet gives students focused practice with comma placement in sentences that begin with introductory elements. The 10 multiple-choice questions ask students to select the correct comma location—or identify when no comma is needed—after introductory words such as Yes, participial phrases such as Pausing for a moment in the doorway, prepositional phrases, and dependent clauses. The worksheet also reinforces comma conventions in practical writing contexts, including names with Jr., city-and-state combinations, letter salutations, and complimentary closings. Students must use sentence structure and punctuation cues to distinguish where a comma belongs rather than adding one automatically. This free printable worksheet includes a complete answer key and is designed for Grade 8 English practice, review, independent work, or a quick formative assessment.

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Commas with Introductory Elements

Total questions: 10

Name
Class
Date
1.

Pausing for a moment in the doorway the teacher smiled at the class.

a)

Pausing,

b)

doorway,

c)

teacher,

d)

smiled,

2.

Yes I see that you are ready for this quiz.

a)

Yes,

b)

see,

c)

you,

d)

ready,

3.

Near the gate at the end of the lane I watched the wild stallion race out of the corral.

a)

gate,

b)

end,

c)

lane,

d)

race,

4.

In this state we have a sales tax.

a)

this,

b)

state,

c)

have,

d)

no comma

5.

Until we found the source of the fire everyone was searching nervously through closets and under beds.

a)

found,

b)

source,

c)

fire,

d)

closets,

6.

I sent a letter to Matthew Coolman Jr. in Nebraska.

a)

Coolman,

b)

letter,

c)

Jr.,

d)

no comma

7.

My family moved to Ottawa Ohio when I was three years old.

a)

family,

b)

Ottawa,

c)

when,

d)

three,

8.

I began my letter with Dear Jessica "How was your day?"

a)

began,

b)

letter,

c)

Jessica,

d)

no comma

9.

The letter ended, "Yours truly Jason Schmitz."

a)

letter,

b)

truly,

c)

Jason,

d)

no comma

10.

I usually enjoy this class.

a)

usually,

b)

enjoy,

c)

this,

d)

no comma

WaygroundAnswer Key

Commas with Introductory Elements

Total questions: 10

1.
b)

doorway,

2.
a)

Yes,

3.
c)

lane,

4.
d)

no comma

5.
c)

fire,

6.
a)

Coolman,

7.
b)

Ottawa,

8.
c)

Jessica,

9.
b)

truly,

10.
d)

no comma

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FAQs

What does the Commas with Introductory Elements worksheet cover?

This Grade 8 worksheet uses 10 multiple-choice questions to assess comma placement after introductory words, phrases, and clauses, including Yes, participial phrases, prepositional phrases, and dependent clauses. It also asks students to apply comma conventions in names with Jr., city-and-state combinations, letter salutations, and letter closings, building accuracy in sentence editing and practical writing.

How can I use this worksheet to teach commas with introductory elements?

First, model how to locate the introductory word or group of words before the main clause, then use the worksheet’s examples to discuss whether a pause and comma are appropriate. Have students explain choices such as placing the comma after doorway in the opening participial phrase and recognizing that no comma is needed in In this state we have a sales tax. After guided practice, assign the 10 multiple-choice items independently and review the punctuation decisions aloud.

What mistakes should I watch for when students complete this comma worksheet?

Students may place a comma after only the first word of a longer introductory phrase, such as marking gate instead of lane in Near the gate at the end of the lane. They may also assume every opening phrase requires a comma, overlook punctuation in letter greetings and closings, or confuse the comma before Jr. and the comma between Ottawa and Ohio. Ask students to identify the complete introductory element or punctuation pattern before selecting an answer.

How do I assign and grade this worksheet?

This Commas with Introductory Elements worksheet is available as a printable PDF and as a digital quiz on Wayground, so you can use the same 10-question assessment for paper-based or online practice. It includes a complete answer key, and printable submissions can be graded by scanning student work with the Wayground for Teachers app.

How can I differentiate this worksheet for my students?

In the worksheet’s Advanced Settings, adjust font spacing and font size to make the 10 sentence-based multiple-choice items easier to scan. You can also select a dyslexia-friendly font or translate the comma practice worksheet into another language when that supports student access.

Where can I find more worksheets like this on Wayground?

Wayground offers a comprehensive collection of free printable worksheets and practice problems across all subjects, with downloadable PDFs and answer keys to support mastery of essential skills and concepts. Browse more resources at https://wayground.com/en-us/worksheets.

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