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Commas After Introductory Elements Worksheet — Grade 6

Grade 6 comma worksheet: students identify, correct, and write sentences using commas after introductory words, phrases, and dependent clauses.

A comma after an introductory element tells readers where the opening phrase or clause ends and the main idea begins. Without that comma, even a well-constructed sentence can trip a reader up. This worksheet gives sixth graders focused practice with three types of introductory elements: single words such as 'reluctantly,' prepositional and participial phrases, and dependent clauses beginning with subordinating conjunctions. Students move from identifying these elements in correctly punctuated sentences to choosing the right version from three options, correcting flawed sentences, and writing their own. To use the sheet effectively, encourage students to locate the main clause first — find the subject and its verb — and then check what comes before it.

Commas After Introductory Elements Worksheet — Grade 6

Work through each section carefully, reading every sentence before you answer. Each section has its own directions.

Remember

  • Use a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or clause that comes before the main clause.
  • An introductory dependent clause begins with a subordinating conjunction and cannot stand alone as a sentence.
  • An introductory phrase also needs a comma: 'Before the test, she reviewed her notes carefully.'

Part A — Identify the Introductory Element

Underline the introductory element in each sentence — the word, phrase, or clause that comes before the main clause.

  1. 1.

    Although the experiment produced unexpected results, the science team recorded every observation carefully.

  2. 2.

    After completing three laps around the gymnasium, Priya sat down to catch her breath.

  3. 3.

    Exhausted from the long rehearsal, Marcus barely managed to finish his homework before midnight.

  4. 4.

    Whenever the barometric pressure drops sharply, storm clouds tend to gather over the valley.

  5. 5.

    In the third chapter of the novel, the author reveals the narrator's deepest secret.

  6. 6.

    Yes, the librarian confirmed that the reference books could be checked out for one week.

Part B — Choose the Correct Punctuation

Read each question and choose the sentence that is punctuated correctly.

  1. 7.

    Which sentence correctly places a comma after the introductory dependent clause?

    1. a)Because the river had flooded its banks, the hiking trail was closed for two weeks.
    2. b)Because the river had flooded its banks the hiking trail was closed for two weeks.
    3. c)Because, the river had flooded its banks the hiking trail was closed for two weeks.
  2. 8.

    Which version of the sentence is punctuated correctly?

    1. a)Reluctantly Amara agreed to present her findings to the entire sixth-grade class.
    2. b)Reluctantly, Amara agreed to present her findings to the entire sixth-grade class.
    3. c)Reluctantly Amara, agreed to present her findings to the entire sixth-grade class.
  3. 9.

    Which sentence correctly sets off the introductory prepositional phrase?

    1. a)After reviewing her research notes Sofia noticed a gap in her supporting evidence.
    2. b)After reviewing, her research notes Sofia noticed a gap in her supporting evidence.
    3. c)After reviewing her research notes, Sofia noticed a gap in her supporting evidence.
  4. 10.

    Which sentence correctly punctuates the introductory adverb clause?

    1. a)When, the substitute teacher entered the room the students quickly took their seats.
    2. b)When the substitute teacher entered the room the students quickly took their seats.
    3. c)When the substitute teacher entered the room, the students quickly took their seats.
  5. 11.

    Which sentence correctly punctuates the introductory word?

    1. a)Surprisingly the survey revealed that most students preferred reading nonfiction texts.
    2. b)Surprisingly, the survey revealed that most students preferred reading nonfiction texts.
    3. c)Surprisingly the survey revealed, that most students preferred reading nonfiction texts.

Part C — Rewrite the Sentence

Rewrite each sentence, adding a comma in the correct place after the introductory element.

  1. 12.

    Although the documentary covered multiple perspectives the class discussion lasted nearly an hour.

  2. 13.

    By studying the migration patterns of monarch butterflies researchers discovered a new overwintering site.

  3. 14.

    Confused by the contradictory evidence Dara revised her hypothesis before submitting the lab report.

  4. 15.

    Once the committee had reviewed all three proposals the principal announced the winning design.

  5. 16.

    During the final weeks of the quarter every student was required to complete a reflective essay.

Part D — Write Your Own Sentence

Follow each prompt to write your own sentence that correctly uses a comma after an introductory element.

  1. 17.

    Write a sentence beginning with a dependent clause — using 'although,' 'because,' or 'whenever' — followed by a main clause.

  2. 18.

    Write a sentence beginning with an introductory prepositional or participial phrase, followed by a main clause.

Answer key

Part A — Identify the Introductory Element

  1. 1.Although the experiment produced unexpected results
  2. 2.After completing three laps around the gymnasium
  3. 3.Exhausted from the long rehearsal
  4. 4.Whenever the barometric pressure drops sharply
  5. 5.In the third chapter of the novel
  6. 6.Yes

Part B — Choose the Correct Punctuation

  1. 7.Because the river had flooded its banks, the hiking trail was closed for two weeks.
  2. 8.Reluctantly, Amara agreed to present her findings to the entire sixth-grade class.
  3. 9.After reviewing her research notes, Sofia noticed a gap in her supporting evidence.
  4. 10.When the substitute teacher entered the room, the students quickly took their seats.
  5. 11.Surprisingly, the survey revealed that most students preferred reading nonfiction texts.

Part C — Rewrite the Sentence

  1. 12.Although the documentary covered multiple perspectives, the class discussion lasted nearly an hour.
  2. 13.By studying the migration patterns of monarch butterflies, researchers discovered a new overwintering site.
  3. 14.Confused by the contradictory evidence, Dara revised her hypothesis before submitting the lab report.
  4. 15.Once the committee had reviewed all three proposals, the principal announced the winning design.
  5. 16.During the final weeks of the quarter, every student was required to complete a reflective essay.

Part D — Write Your Own Sentence

  1. 17.Example: Although the weather forecast predicted rain, the outdoor ceremony proceeded without any delays.
  2. 18.Example: Having finished her research ahead of schedule, Zara spent the remaining time refining her bibliography.

What this worksheet teaches

  • Identify introductory elements — words, phrases, and clauses — in complex sentences.
  • Explain why a comma is required after an introductory element before a main clause.
  • Write original sentences that correctly use a comma after an introductory element.

What is on the page

Part B — Choose the Correct Punctuation prints “Which sentence correctly places a comma after the introductory dependent clause?” with the options “Because the river had flooded its banks, the hiking trail was closed for two weeks.”, “Because the river had flooded its banks the hiking trail was closed for two weeks.” and “Because, the river had flooded its banks the hiking trail was closed for two weeks.”; the key gives “Because the river had flooded its banks, the hiking trail was closed for two weeks.”.

In Part C — Rewrite the Sentence, “Although the documentary covered multiple perspectives the class discussion lasted nearly an hour.” is corrected in the key to “Although the documentary covered multiple perspectives, the class discussion lasted nearly an hour.”

The language it drills

“Although the experiment produced unexpected results, the science team recorded every observation carefully.” has one answer in the key: “Although the experiment produced unexpected results”.

Notes for the grown-up

  • Students often skip the comma when the introductory clause is long, assuming length alone signals the clause boundary.
  • Ask students to find the subject and verb of the main clause first; the comma goes just before that subject.
  • When a student punctuates both short phrases and long clauses correctly without prompting, they are ready to advance.

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