Comma Crimes Worksheet
Comma Crimes Case Files
Department of Grammar Justice • Evidence Unit
Case ID
#2026-COMMA-01
Agent Name:
Date:
The Comma Code
Series: Apples, oranges, and pears.
Dates: April 9, 2026, was a Thursday.
Intro Phrases: After lunch, we went home.
Compound (FANBOYS): I ran, but I fell.
Appositives: Leo, my dog, is fast.
Direct Address: Leo, come here!
Part I Crime Scene Inspection
Analyze the evidence. Circle SOLVED if the commas are correct, or CRIME if they are missing or misplaced.
1. The detective found a flashlight, a magnifying glass and a notepad.
Solved Crime
2. On December 25, 2025 the mystery was finally unraveled.
Solved Crime
3. Because the suspect was fast, the police had to use a helicopter.
Solved Crime
4. Chief Miller, the head of the precinct, arrived late to the meeting.
Solved Crime
5. You need to tell us the truth, Jenkins, before it's too late.
Solved Crime
6. We searched the basement for hours yet we found nothing.
Solved Crime
7. In the middle of the dark forest the wolf began to howl.
Solved Crime
Part II Evidence Reconstruction
Rewrite the sentences correctly to secure the conviction.
Item #8: Compound Sentence
The thief tried to jump the fence but he caught his jacket on a wire.
Item #9: Direct Address
Step away from the vehicle sir and keep your hands where I can see them.
Item #10: Series & Dates
On Monday October 12 we found the stolen diamonds gold and silver.
Item #11: Introductory Phrase
Tired and hungry after the long stakeout the officers returned to HQ.
Item #12: Appositive
The butler a man with a suspicious limp was seen near the library.
Item #13: Compound Sentence
The witness saw the car flee south so we set up a roadblock.
Item #14: Dates
The trial began on January 5 2026 in the city courthouse.
Item #15: Intro Clause & Series
Before the suspect escaped he grabbed his keys his wallet and his passport.
Evidence Certified
Comma Crimes Key
Answer Key
Comma Crimes Case Files • Internal Use Only
Status
CLASSIFIED
Part I: Crime Scene Inspection
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Crime Missing Oxford comma: ...glass, and a notepad.
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Crime Missing comma after year: 2025, the mystery...
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Solved Correct comma after introductory dependent clause.
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Solved Correct use of commas for non-essential appositive.
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Solved Correct commas for direct address (Jenkins).
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Crime Missing comma before coordinating conjunction: ...hours, yet we...
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Crime Missing comma after long intro phrase: ...forest, the wolf...
Part II: Evidence Reconstruction
Item #8 (Compound)
The thief tried to jump the fence, but he caught his jacket on a wire.
Item #9 (Direct Address)
Step away from the vehicle, sir, and keep your hands where I can see them.
Item #10 (Dates & Series)
On Monday, October 12, we found the stolen diamonds, gold, and silver.
Item #11 (Intro Phrase)
Tired and hungry after the long stakeout, the officers returned to HQ.
Item #12 (Appositive)
The butler, a man with a suspicious limp, was seen near the library.
Item #13 (Compound)
The witness saw the car flee south, so we set up a roadblock.
Item #14 (Date)
The trial began on January 5, 2026, in the city courthouse.
Item #15 (Intro & Series)
Before the suspect escaped, he grabbed his keys, his wallet, and his passport.
Grading Protocol
Part I: Inspection (7 pts)
1 point for each correct identification.
Part II: Reconstruction (16 pts)
2 points per sentence: 1 for all commas correct, 1 for correct sentence structure/other punctuation.
