Commas after Fronted Adverbials - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

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KS2 · Grammar

Y4.5 Commas after Fronted Adverbials

Calculators not allowed · about 40 minutes
Total Marks
Name: _______________________________    Date: ____ / ____ / ______
Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

The Talent Show at Meadowbrook Primary

Source written for Revision Library (original, copyright-free). Written specifically for this grammar worksheet pack; not derived from or based on any published work, past paper or copyrighted text.

Early one Friday morning, the school hall was transformed for the annual talent show. Behind the stage curtain, the performers waited nervously for their turn. Deniz tuned his guitar one last time, and Yasmin practised her song under her breath. At exactly two o'clock, Mr Osei welcomed the parents and switched on the coloured spotlights. Without any warning, the microphone crackled loudly and made the whole audience jump. Bravely, the first act stepped forward and began to juggle three oranges. Later in the afternoon, a group of Year 4 pupils performed a dance they had choreographed themselves. Just before the interval, Yasmin finally walked onto the stage and sang her favourite song. Afterwards, the judges awarded a prize to every single performer. By the end of the show, everyone agreed it had been the best talent show yet.

1
A fronted adverbial is a word or phrase that starts a sentence and tells us more about the action. It is always followed by a comma. Tick the fronted adverbial in each sentence below.
(a)Suddenly, the fire alarm rang through the school.(1)
  • A) the fire alarm
  • B) Suddenly,
  • C) rang through the school
(b)In the afternoon, the class went to the library.(1)
  • A) In the afternoon,
  • B) went to the library
  • C) the class
(c)Behind the classroom, the children played hopscotch.(1)
  • A) the children
  • B) played hopscotch
  • C) Behind the classroom,
(d)Every Friday, the choir rehearses in the hall.(1)
  • A) Every Friday,
  • B) the choir
  • C) rehearses in the hall
2
The sentences below are taken from the passage above. Underline the fronted adverbial in each one, including its comma.
(a)Behind the stage curtain, the performers waited nervously for their turn.(1)
(b)Without any warning, the microphone crackled loudly and made the whole audience jump.(1)
(c)Later in the afternoon, a group of Year 4 pupils performed a dance they had choreographed themselves.(1)
3
Tick the two sentences below that use a comma correctly after a fronted adverbial.
  • A) Later that day the choir performed again.
  • B) Later that day, the choir performed again.
  • C) After the show, the caretaker tidied the hall.
  • D) After the show the caretaker tidied the hall.
4
Fronted adverbials can tell us when, where or how something happens. Sort the six fronted adverbials in the box below into the correct column of the table.
Word bank: Yesterday, | Behind the shed, | Quietly, | Next week, | Underneath the stage, | Nervously,
TimePlaceManner
(6)
5
Insert the missing comma after the fronted adverbial in each sentence below.
(a)Every morning Miss Grant checks the register.(1)
(b)After the bell rang the pupils lined up quietly.(1)
(c)Without hesitation Yasmin volunteered to go first.(1)
(d)In the school hall the audience waited patiently.(1)
6
Choose a fronted adverbial from the box to begin each sentence below. Remember to add a comma after the adverbial.
Word bank: Every Friday, | Without warning, | Later that afternoon,
(a)___ the choir rehearses in the hall.(1)
(b)___ the lights went out.(1)
(c)___ the class performed their play for the parents.(1)
7
Rewrite each sentence below so that it begins with the adverbial given in brackets. Remember to add a comma after the fronted adverbial.
(a)The choir sang their new song. (Loudly)(1)
(b)Yasmin tuned her guitar carefully. (Before the show)(1)
(c)The pupils lined up quietly. (After the bell rang)(1)
8
Circle the sentence in each pair that punctuates the fronted adverbial correctly.
(a)Which sentence is correct?(1)
  • A) Yesterday the school choir won a national award.
  • B) Yesterday, the school choir won a national award.
(b)Which sentence is correct?(1)
  • A) Filled with pride the head teacher clapped loudly.
  • B) Filled with pride, the head teacher clapped loudly.
(c)Which sentence is correct?(1)
  • A) Once the show had finished, the parents cheered.
  • B) Once the show had finished the parents cheered.
9
Some sentences below begin with a fronted adverbial and need a comma. Others do not begin with a fronted adverbial and should not have a comma added. Tick the correct box for each sentence.
(a)The rain stopped falling.(1)
  • Comma needed
  • No comma needed
(b)Suddenly the rain stopped falling.(1)
  • Comma needed
  • No comma needed
(c)The teacher praised the class.(1)
  • Comma needed
  • No comma needed
(d)After the lesson the teacher praised the class.(1)
  • Comma needed
  • No comma needed
10
Each sentence below is missing a comma after its fronted adverbial. Find where the comma should go and rewrite the sentence correctly.
(a)Once again the recorder group played beautifully.(1)
(b)With great care Deniz carried his guitar onto the stage.(1)
(c)At the end of the interval the judges took their seats.(1)
(d)For the very last act the whole school fell silent.(1)
11
The paragraph below is missing three commas after fronted adverbials. Find and correct the three errors.

Early that evening the hall began to fill with excited families. Without any fuss the caretaker set out the last few chairs. Just as the doors opened Mr Osei switched on the stage lights.
(3)
12
Each sentence below has its comma in the wrong place. The comma should come straight after the whole fronted adverbial, not in the middle of it. Find the mistake and rewrite the sentence with the comma moved to the correct place.
(a)Just before the show started the audience, took their seats.(1)
(b)As soon as the curtain, opened the children cheered.(1)
(c)During the very last, dance the whole hall clapped along.(1)
13
Look again at the passage 'The Talent Show at Meadowbrook Primary' at the top of this pack. Find and write down three more fronted adverbials, each with its comma, that are not already used in Question 2. Do not use 'Behind the stage curtain,', 'Without any warning,' or 'Later in the afternoon,' - these already appeared in Question 2.
(3)
14
In the passage, the writer begins a sentence with the single-word fronted adverbial 'Bravely' rather than writing 'The first act stepped forward bravely.' Explain the effect of placing this adverbial at the front of the sentence.
(2)
15
Write three sentences of your own about a school event. Each sentence must begin with a different type of fronted adverbial: one of time, one of place and one of manner. Remember to add a comma after each one.
(3)
16
Write a short paragraph (three to four sentences) about a school event of your own choosing. Your paragraph must include: one fronted adverbial of time, and one fronted adverbial of place or manner, with a comma correctly placed after each one. Underline both fronted adverbials in your paragraph.
(4)
17
Read the two sentences below.

A) Later, that day the whole school cheered.
B) Later that day, the whole school cheered.

Tick the sentence that punctuates the fronted adverbial correctly, then explain in one sentence why the other sentence is wrong.
  • A) Later, that day the whole school cheered.
  • B) Later that day, the whole school cheered.
Mark scheme · Y4.5 Commas after Fronted Adverbials

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10

Question 11

Question 12

Question 13

Question 14

Question 15

Question 16

Question 17