Grammar and punctuation games

Explore grammar and punctuation across grades. Choose by skill and readiness; the grades are a starting point, and this collection does not cover a whole curriculum.

Each game explains the Common Core connection it supports, or identifies itself as supplemental practice. Schools may teach topics in a different sequence. Read how we choose games.

Grade 3: Conjunctions: when, if, because, although

Conjunctions also do an important job for meaning. Because explains a reason, if sets a condition, when gives a time and although shows a contrast. Choosing the right one makes writing clearer: 'I wore my coat because it was cold' means something different from 'I wore my coat although it was warm'. In the game, children read a sentence and pick out the word that is doing the joining. Spotting conjunctions in other people's sentences is the first step to using them confidently in their own writing.

Supports part of Common Core L.3.1.h. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.

Common Core connection: L.3.1.h. This is focused practice for part of the standard.

Play Conjunctions: when, if, because, although · Free printable

Grade 4: Relative pronouns and clauses: who, which, where, when, whose

A relative clause is a part of a sentence that adds extra information about a noun. It usually begins with a relative pronoun: who, which, where, when, whose or that. In 'My aunt, who lives in Leeds, is a doctor', the relative clause 'who lives in Leeds' tells us more about my aunt. Relative clauses let writers pack more detail into a sentence without starting a new one.

Supports part of Common Core L.4.1.a. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.

Common Core connection: L.4.1.a. This is focused practice for part of the standard.

Play Relative pronouns and clauses: who, which, where, when, whose · Free printable

Grade 5: Introductory phrases and commas

An adverbial is a word or phrase that tells us more about a verb: when, where or how something happened. A fronted adverbial is simply an adverbial that has been moved to the front of the sentence, before the main clause. 'Later that day, I heard the bad news' starts with the fronted adverbial 'Later that day'. Fronted adverbials help writers vary how their sentences begin, so writing does not always start with 'I' or 'The'.

Supports part of Common Core L.5.2.b. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.

Common Core connection: L.5.2.b. This is focused practice for part of the standard.

Play Introductory phrases and commas · Free printable

Grade 6: Colons, semicolons and hyphens

Colons, semicolons and hyphens are small marks that do big jobs. A colon (:) introduces a list or an explanation after a complete sentence. A semicolon (;) joins two complete sentences that are closely linked, and separates items in a list when the items already contain commas. A hyphen (-) joins words together so that the meaning is clear: a man-eating shark is very different from a man eating shark.

Advanced punctuation enrichment. Common Core places semicolons and colons in Grades 9–10; this suggested Grade 6 challenge is not a Grade 6 standards claim.

Play Colons, semicolons and hyphens · Free printable