If you want to include some information that is not important to the meaning of the sentence, enclose it in commas, e.g. 'Peter, who is my best friend, won't be able to come to the party tonight'. The extra information is 'who is my best friend'. If the information you include is important to the meaning of the sentence, DON'T enclose it in commas, e.g. 'The man who is standing in the corner is my uncle'. The important information is 'who is standing in the corner'. Without this important information, we would be left with 'The man is my uncle'. You might then ask 'Which man?' Use a comma... Show more

If you want to include some information that is not important to the meaning of the sentence, enclose it in commas, e.g. 'Peter, who is my best friend, won't be able to come to the party tonight'. The extra information is 'who is my best friend'.
If the information you include is important to the meaning of the sentence, DON'T enclose it in commas, e.g. 'The man who is standing in the corner is my uncle'. The important information is 'who is standing in the corner'. Without this important information, we would be left with 'The man is my uncle'. You might then ask 'Which man?'
Use a comma to separate the elements in a series, e.g. 'He was tall, dark and handsome'. The final comma before the 'and' can be left out or included, but whatever you decide - be consistent. This comma actually has a name: it is called the 'Oxford' comma. Note: a comma is not used between the last adjective and the noun or pronoun.
Use a comma with 'and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so' to connect two independent clauses: an independent clause is a sentence that is part of a sentence, e.g. 'I don't like music much, but I love jazz music'. The independent clauses are 'I don't like music much' and 'I love jazz music'.
Use a comma to set off introductory elements, e.g. Running towards the bridge, he suddenly heard a loud explosion.
Where commas are used for extra information, if the sentence makes sense by removing the words in between the two commas, then the commas are probably in the right place.
If you are not sure whether to add a comma in your writing, read the sentence aloud to see if you need to take a breath somewhere - this is usually where a comma is needed.

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Grade 5 English Language - Use of Commas

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25 Questions

1. In which of the following sentences has a comma been wrongly used or omitted?

The headmaster, the mayor and the school governors were at the meeting.It was a long, hard, tiring journey.He left the scene of the crime, and tried to forget that it had happened.The headmaster, the mayor, and the school governors were at the meeting.

2. In which of the following sentences has a comma / have commas been correctly used or omitted?

My grandfather who is 80, goes jogging every day.My grandfather, who is 80 goes jogging every day.My grandfather who is 80 goes jogging every day.My grandfather, who is 80, goes jogging every day.

3. In which of the following sentences has a comma been wrongly used or omitted?

Here is the list of tools required: a spanner, a hammer, pliers, and a screwdriver.He was wearing a brand new, expensive, shiny, top hat.Unable to control her curiosity, she quietly entered the old deserted house.It was very cold yesterday, but we still went skiing.

4. In which of the following sentences has a comma been wrongly used or omitted?

It was a wild, green jungle.It was a wild, and green jungle.It was a wild green jungle.It was a wild and green jungle.

5. Read the sentence and choose the answer which has been correctly punctuated.
'Just leave them on the chair and go Alan.'

'Just leave them on the chair, and go Alan.''Just, leave them on the chair, and go Alan.''Just leave, them on the chair, and go, Alan.''Just leave them on the chair and go, Alan.'

6. Read each sentence and decide where the commas belong.
On Tuesday we are going to the museum to see the dinosaurs.

On Tuesday we are going to the museum, to see the dinosaurs.On Tuesday we are going, to the museum, to see the dinosaurs.On Tuesday, we are going to the museum to see the dinosaurs.On, Tuesday we are going to the museum to see the dinosaurs.

7. In which of the following sentences has a comma been wrongly used or omitted?

Not knowing what to do, the soldiers decided to return to the fort.He knew that she was wrong, but he didn't have the heart to tell her.Relaxing in the warm bath, I was suddenly startled by the telephone ringing.There were a few interesting things in the drawer: an old watch, a compass, a kaleidoscope and, a revolver.

8. Read each sentence and decide where the commas belong.
We have two cats a dog and a guinea pig.

We, have two cats a dog, and a guinea pig.We have two cats, a dog and a guinea pig.We have two, cats, a, dog, and a guinea, pig.We have two cats, a dog, and a guinea pig.

9. Read the sentence and choose the answer which has been correctly punctuated.
The cup of tea which I had completely forgotten to drink had gone cold.

The cup of tea which I had completely forgotten to drink, had gone cold.The cup, of tea, which I had completely forgotten to drink had gone cold.The cup of tea which I had completely, forgotten to drink had gone cold.The cup of tea, which I had completely forgotten to drink, had gone cold.

10. Read the sentence and choose the answer which has been correctly punctuated.
After break time we will be doing math which is our favorite subject.

After, break time, we will be doing math, which is our favorite subject.After break time, we will be doing math, which is our favorite subject.After break time we will be doing, math which is our favorite subject.After break time we will be doing math which, is our, favorite subject.

11. In which of the following sentences has a comma / have commas been correctly used or omitted?

He was wearing, the jacket that he had bought, at the market.He was wearing the jacket, that he had bought at the market.He was wearing, the jacket that he had bought at the market.He was wearing the jacket that he had bought at the market.

12. In which of the following sentences has a comma / have commas been correctly used or omitted?

The building reminded him of his house, which he loved so much.The building reminded him of his house which he loved so much.The building, reminded him of his house which he loved so much.The building, reminded him of his house, which he loved so much.

13. In which of the following sentences has a comma / have commas been correctly used or omitted?

His eldest brother, who is a famous athlete, doesn't like drinking.His eldest brother who, is a famous athlete, doesn't like drinking.His eldest brother, who is a famous athlete doesn't like drinking.His eldest brother who is a famous athlete doesn't like drinking.

14. Read the sentence and choose the answer which has been correctly punctuated.
The headteacher who was also new to the school came in to greet the new reception class.

The headteacher who was also, new to the school, came in to greet the new reception class.The headteacher, who was also new to the school came in to greet the new reception class.The headteacher who was also new to the school, came in to greet the new reception class.The headteacher, who was also new to the school, came in to greet the new reception class.

15. In which of the following sentences has a comma / have commas been correctly used or omitted?

William's garden, which is smaller than mine is wonderful.William's garden which, is smaller than mine, is wonderful.William's garden which is smaller than mine is wonderful.William's garden, which is smaller than mine, is wonderful.

16. Read the sentence and choose the answer which has been correctly punctuated.
'Are you hurt Brendan or are you O.K.?'

'Are you hurt Brendan, or are you O.K.?''Are, you hurt, Brendan or are you, O.K.?''Are you hurt, Brendan or are you O.K.?''Are you hurt, Brendan, or are you O.K.?'

17. In which of the following sentences has a comma been wrongly used or omitted?

Being adventurous by nature, I volunteered for the expedition.I have traveled all over Europe but I have never been to Africa.He loves it when you flatter him, and he loves talking about himself.I have traveled all over Europe, but I have never been to Africa.

18. In which of the following sentences has a comma / have commas been correctly used or omitted?

The man, whose dog was run over, is very sad.The man whose dog was run over, is very sad.The man whose dog was run over is very sad.The man, whose dog was run over is very sad.

19. Read each sentence and decide where the commas belong.
In the south-western United States there is very little rainfall.

In, the south-western, United States, there is very little rainfall.In the south-western United States, there is very little rainfall.In the south-western, United States, there is very little rainfall.In the south-western United States there is very, little rainfall.

20. In which of the following sentences has a comma been wrongly used or omitted?

He likes reading thrillers, detective novels, humor and romances.He struck the ball as hard as he could and he looked intently to see where it would land.He searched for his pen in the desk, in the closet, and in his pockets.Turning towards his sister, he noticed that she was still sleeping.

21. Read the sentence and choose the answer which has been correctly punctuated.
The car which had begun making strange noises came to a sudden halt.

The car, which had been making strange noises, came to a sudden halt.The car, which had been making strange noises came to a sudden halt.The car which had been making strange noises, came to a sudden halt.The car which had been making strange noises came, to a, sudden halt.

22. In which of the following sentences has a comma / have commas been correctly used or omitted?

He has two sisters. His sister, who lives in France, speaks French and Spanish.He has one sister. His sister, who lives in France, speaks French and Spanish.He has one sister. His sister who lives in France speaks French and Spanish.He has two sisters. His sisters who live in France both speak French and Spanish.

23. Read each sentence and decide where the commas belong.
She lost her bucket her spade and her towel on the way to the beach.

She lost her bucket, her spade, and her towel, on the way to the beach.She, lost her, bucket, her spade and her towel on the way to the beach.She lost her bucket her spade, and her towel on the way to the beach.She lost her bucket, her spade and her towel on the way to the beach.

24. In which of the following sentences has a comma been wrongly used or omitted?

Having seen the film twice he soon fell asleep.Having finished work, he decided to pay his sick aunt a visit.He loves her deeply, but he doesn't show it.He lies, cheats, swears and steals.

25. In which of the following sentences has a comma been wrongly used or omitted?

You are going to tell me the truth, or I shall report you to the police.He looked in the house in the yard and in the barn - but he couldn't find the little red rooster.He walked in, sat down, opened his paper, and began to read the sports news.Having survived for three days without food, they began to lapse into delirium.