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WorksheetYear 10Level 2 · Standard

Free Year 10 Commas and Semicolons in Complex Sentences Worksheet

Students learn the comma and semicolon rules that matter most in longer sentences: a comma after an introductory clause or phrase, commas around non-essential clauses and appositives, a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses (including before however and therefore), and semicolons to separate items in a list that already contains commas. They choose correctly punctuated sentences, fix comma splices and finish by punctuating their own paragraph.

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Year
Year 10
Subject
English
Topic
Punctuation
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
30 minutes
Curriculum
New Zealand Curriculum
Questions
20
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practise

  • placing a comma after an introductory clause or phrase
  • using commas around non-essential clauses and appositives
  • fixing comma splices with a semicolon
  • using a semicolon before a conjunctive adverb such as however
  • separating complex list items with semicolons

Curriculum: New Zealand Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: Commas and Semicolons in Complex Sentences

  1. 1Punctuating Direct Speech and Dialogue
  2. 2Sentence Variety and Cohesion
  3. 3Active and Passive Voice for Effect
  4. 4Parallel Structure and Balanced Sentences

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

Year 10 students (typically ages 14–15) working on punctuation. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 30 minutes for 20 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Try Punctuating Direct Speech and Dialogue.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheetsYear 10 · English · Punctuation

Commas and Semicolons in Complex Sentences

Name

Date

Score /

Test a semicolon by covering each side: if both halves are complete sentences, the semicolon can stay.

Part A: Choose the correct sentence

A comma follows an introductory clause or phrase and marks off extra (non-essential) information. A semicolon joins two closely related sentences that could each stand alone. Circle the correctly punctuated sentence.

1.Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
  1. AWhen the bell rang the students, packed up quickly.
  2. BWhen the bell rang, the students packed up quickly.
  3. CWhen, the bell rang the students packed up quickly.
  4. DWhen the bell rang the students packed, up quickly.
2.Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
  1. AThe library was silent; and everyone was studying.
  2. BThe library; was silent everyone was studying.
  3. CThe library was silent; everyone was studying for the exam.
  4. DThe library was silent, everyone was studying for the exam.
3.Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
  1. AThe forecast predicted rain, however, the match went ahead.
  2. BThe forecast predicted rain; however, the match went ahead.
  3. CThe forecast predicted rain however; the match went ahead.
  4. DThe forecast predicted rain; however the match, went ahead.
4.Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
  1. AMy brother who lives in Canada, is visiting next week.
  2. BMy brother, who lives in Canada is visiting next week.
  3. CMy brother, who lives in Canada, is visiting next week.
  4. DMy brother who, lives in Canada, is visiting next week.
5.Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
  1. AThe tour visited Rome, Italy; Paris, France; and Berlin, Germany.
  2. BThe tour visited Rome; Italy, Paris; France, and Berlin; Germany.
  3. CThe tour visited Rome, Italy, Paris, France, and Berlin, Germany.
  4. DThe tour visited: Rome Italy; Paris France; and Berlin Germany.
6.When the subordinate clause comes after the main clause, a comma is usually not needed. Which sentence follows this rule?
  1. AWe stayed, inside because it was raining.
  2. BWe stayed inside, because, it was raining.
  3. CBecause it was raining we stayed, inside.
  4. DWe stayed inside because it was raining.

Part B: Add the missing commas

Rewrite each sentence with the missing comma or commas.

7.Although she had trained for months she was nervous before the race. (answer space)
8.If you finish early you may start the extension task. (answer space)
9.The old bridge which was built over a century ago will be repaired next year. (answer space)
10.Determined to win the team trained every afternoon. (answer space)
11.Jonah my cousin plays the cello in a youth orchestra. (answer space)

Part C: Semicolons and comma splices

A comma splice joins two complete sentences with only a comma. Fix each comma splice with a semicolon, then answer true or false.

12.The power went out, we lit candles. (answer space)
Free worksheets at worksheets.successtutoring.com · © Success Tutoring · Free for personal and classroom use

Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

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