Commas After Introductory Elements Worksheet — Grade 7
Grade 7 practice sheet: identify, supply, and write commas after introductory words, phrases, and dependent clauses in complex academic sentences.
This worksheet gives seventh-grade students focused practice with one of the most important comma rules in academic writing: placing a comma after an introductory element. Introductory elements include single adverbs such as 'unfortunately,' prepositional and participial phrases, and full dependent clauses beginning with words like 'because' or 'although.' Omitting this comma often causes a reader to attach the introductory element to the wrong part of the sentence, muddying the meaning. The four sections move students from recognition to independent production: first they locate and label introductory elements, then supply missing words, then repair errors, and finally write their own examples. This progression matches the analytical depth expected by Common Core Language Standard 7.2. Print one copy per student or project the sheet for whole-class discussion.
Commas After Introductory Elements Worksheet — Grade 7
Work through each section in order, reading every sentence carefully before you write your answer. Each section has its own directions.
Remember
- Place a comma after any introductory word, phrase, or clause that comes before the main clause of a sentence.
- An introductory dependent clause begins with a subordinating conjunction like 'because,' 'although,' or 'whenever' and cannot stand alone.
- An introductory phrase — participial, prepositional, or absolute — requires a comma: 'By the end of the term, every student had improved.'
Part A — Find the Introductory Element
Underline the introductory element in each sentence and circle the comma that separates it from the main clause.
- 1.
Since the city council had rejected the proposal twice, the planning committee submitted a revised design.
- 2.
Remarkably, the student's experiment produced results that overturned a widely accepted scientific assumption.
- 3.
Absorbed in the calculations on the whiteboard, the professor did not notice when the last student slipped out of class.
- 4.
Whenever a student submits an assignment late, the teacher deducts ten points from the final score.
- 5.
On the night before the championship match, the coach reviewed footage of the opposing team's strategies.
- 6.
Having analyzed the survey data from all three focus groups, the researcher drafted her preliminary conclusions.
Part B — Complete the Introductory Element
Fill in the blank with the word or phrase that correctly completes the introductory element, which is already set off by a comma.
- 7.
____ her report would be accessible to a general audience, the scientist used simple language throughout.
- 8.
As ____ as the final vote was tallied, the student council president announced the results to the assembly.
- 9.
In ____ to parents' concerns, the principal extended the after-school tutoring program for another semester.
- 10.
Having ____ from her research internship in the city, Zola incorporated real-world data into her science fair project.
- 11.
On ____ of the graduating class, the valedictorian acknowledged every teacher who had supported their academic journey.
Part C — Correct the Punctuation
Rewrite each sentence correctly, adding a comma in the right place after the introductory element.
- 12.
Since the documentary had received mixed reviews the producers decided to re-edit it before the national release.
- 13.
Determined to reduce the school's carbon footprint the student environmental club proposed a composting program.
- 14.
Whenever the fire alarm sounds unexpectedly students must move immediately to their designated assembly area outside.
- 15.
Beyond the scope of our original investigation the team discovered a pattern that suggested a secondary cause.
- 16.
Aware that the deadline was approaching Yusuf drafted an outline before writing a single paragraph of the essay.
Part D — Write Your Own Sentence
Write your own sentence following the prompt, using a correctly placed comma after the introductory element.
- 17.
Write a sentence starting with a subordinating conjunction, followed by a dependent clause, a comma, and a main clause.
- 18.
Write a sentence starting with a participial phrase describing the subject, followed by a comma and a main clause.
Answer key
Part A — Find the Introductory Element
- 1.Since the city council had rejected the proposal twice
- 2.Remarkably
- 3.Absorbed in the calculations on the whiteboard
- 4.Whenever a student submits an assignment late
- 5.On the night before the championship match
- 6.Having analyzed the survey data from all three focus groups
Part B — Complete the Introductory Element
- 7.So that
- 8.soon
- 9.response
- 10.returned
- 11.behalf
Part C — Correct the Punctuation
- 12.Since the documentary had received mixed reviews, the producers decided to re-edit it before the national release.
- 13.Determined to reduce the school's carbon footprint, the student environmental club proposed a composting program.
- 14.Whenever the fire alarm sounds unexpectedly, students must move immediately to their designated assembly area outside.
- 15.Beyond the scope of our original investigation, the team discovered a pattern that suggested a secondary cause.
- 16.Aware that the deadline was approaching, Yusuf drafted an outline before writing a single paragraph of the essay.
Part D — Write Your Own Sentence
- 17.Example: Because the school's auditorium was under renovation, the drama club performed their play in the gymnasium.
- 18.Example: Having revised her draft three times, Camille submitted the essay with confidence in her argument.
What this worksheet teaches
- Identify and label the introductory element in a complex sentence and explain why a comma is required.
- Supply the missing word that completes an introductory element in a sentence that already shows the comma placement.
- Write original sentences using introductory clauses and participial phrases, placing commas correctly.
What is on the page
In Part C — Correct the Punctuation, “Since the documentary had received mixed reviews the producers decided to re-edit it before the national release.” is corrected in the key to “Since the documentary had received mixed reviews, the producers decided to re-edit it before the national release.”
Part D — Write Your Own Sentence gives the prompt “Write a sentence starting with a subordinating conjunction, followed by a dependent clause, a comma, and a main clause.” and prints a model answer in the key: “Because the school's auditorium was under renovation, the drama club performed their play in the gymnasium.”
The language it drills
“Since the city council had rejected the proposal twice, the planning committee submitted a revised design.” has one answer in the key: “Since the city council had rejected the proposal twice”.
Notes for the grown-up
- Students at this level often drop the comma when the introductory clause is short, mistakenly treating length as the deciding factor.
- Have the student read the sentence aloud, pausing naturally where the introductory element ends, then mark that pause with a comma.
- A student is ready to move on when they can identify the introductory element, name its type, and explain the rule without prompting.
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