ESL Writing: Commas and Conjunctions (“and”)

In this ESL writing worksheet, students are introduced to the proper usage of the conjunction “and” with both dependent and independent clauses.

 

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Punctuation: Commas and Conjunctions (with “and”)

When you write “and” in a sentence, you have to be careful: Do you need a comma?

Look at these sentences:

• • · I went to the theater. I watched a movie.

These are both complete sentences, so you can connect them with a comma (,) and “and”:

• • · I went to the theater, and I watched a movie.

 

But you can also write this a different way:

• • · I went to the theater and watched a movie.

You do not need a comma in this sentence, because “watched a movie” is not a complete sentence (it doesn’t have the subject “I”).

 

Examples (all of these sentences are correct!):

• • · John ate a sandwich, and he watched TV.
  • · John ate a sandwich and watched TV.
  • · Martha visited her daughter, and she had a good time.
  • · Martha visited her daughter and had a good time.

 

Write two sentences for each of the situations below. Write one sentence with a comma, and write one sentence without a comma. The first one is done for you.

 

1. Alex worked in a bank. He met many interesting people.

Answer 1: Alex worked in a bank, and he met many interesting people.

Answer 2: Alex worked in a bank and met many interesting people.

 

2. The criminal stole a motorcycle. He had to pay a $1,000 fine.

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3. Anna travelled to Spain. She came back with many interesting gifts for us.

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4. Mickey lives with his parents. He helps them run their business.

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5. My cousin loves sports. He hopes to become a gym coach.

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