How do commas change the meaning of a sentence?

Without commas, a clause narrows the group to certain members. With commas, it adds extra information about the whole group. In the pairs of sentences on the sheet, the only difference is the commas.

Do I always add commas around a phrase?

No. Four sentences on Set Off Nonessential Phrases With Commas have essential phrases and need no commas. Students circle the numbers of those sentences.

7th Grade Nonrestrictive Elements Worksheets

Ages 12-13 · Free previews · Print-ready PDFs

Written by Adi Ackerman, Head Teacher

A nonrestrictive element adds extra information about a noun, so it is set off with commas, while an essential element tells which one is meant and takes none. There are 2 sheets for 7th grade here, both with answer keys. Set Off Nonessential Phrases With Commas has four sentences that need no commas. How Commas Change a Sentence's Meaning compares pairs such as The hikers who carried maps reached the summit and The hikers, who carried maps, reached the summit. Native sheets practice L.7.2.

7th Grade Grammar & Writing Punctuation Nonrestrictive elements Clear All

How Commas Change a Sentence's Meaning

Grade7th Grade

TopicPunctuation

Set Off Nonessential Phrases With Commas

Grade7th Grade

TopicPunctuation

More punctuation worksheets

Explore all of our 7th grade punctuation worksheets, covering semicolons, colons and hyphens, commas practice, nonrestrictive elements.

Semicolons, colons and hyphens Commas practice

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a phrase that adds extra information, so the sentence still makes sense without it. A nonessential phrase is set off with commas. An essential phrase tells which one is meant and takes no commas.

What is ClassWeekly?

ClassWeekly offers free worksheets and printable learning resources for kids, from preschool up. All worksheets are aligned to Common Core, NGSS, and C3 Framework standards and designed by educators. Become a member to access the full library and download unlimited PDFs.