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?

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.Being adventurous by nature, I volunteered for the expedition.I have traveled all over Europe but I have never been to Africa.

2. 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.

3. Read the sentence and choose the answer which has been correctly punctuated.
'Come over for tea' the new neighbor said.

'Come, over for tea', the new neighbor said.'Come over for tea' the new, neighbor said.'Come over for tea,' the new neighbor said.'Come over, for tea,' the new neighbor said.

4. Read each sentence and decide where the commas belong.
By the age of seven she was already an impressive gymnast.

By the age of seven she was, already an impressive gymnast.By the age, of seven, she was already an impressive gymnast.By the age of seven, she was already an impressive gymnast.By the age of seven she was already an impressive, gymnast.

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

He looked in the house in the yard and in the barn - but he couldn't find the little red rooster.You are going to tell me the truth, or I shall report you to the police.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.

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. Read each sentence and decide where the commas belong.
Mum asked me to remember the butter the cheese and the bread.

Mom asked, me to remember the butter, the cheese, and the bread.Mom asked me to remember the butter, the cheese and the bread.Mum, asked me to remember, the butter the cheese and the bread.Mom asked me to remember the butter, the cheese, and the bread.

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

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

9. 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.

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

11. Read each sentence and decide where the commas belong.
I bought a new pencil rubber ruler and glue stick.

I bought a new pencil, rubber, ruler, and glue stick.I bought a new pencil, rubber, ruler and glue stick.I, bought a new pencil rubber ruler, and glue stick.I bought, a new, pencil rubber, ruler and glue stick.

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

My friend Paul whose wife is Italian moved to Italy last week.My friend Paul, whose wife is Italian moved to Italy last week.My friend Paul, whose wife is Italian, moved to Italy last week.My friend Paul whose wife is Italian, moved to Italy last week.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. Read the sentence and choose the answer which has been correctly punctuated.
The team which had not been training as much as usual still won the match.

The team which had not been training as much as usual, still won the match.The team, which had not been training as much as usual, still won the match.The team, which had not been training as much as usual still won the match.The team which had not been training, as much as usual, still won the match.

16. Read each sentence and decide where the commas belong.
You can choose swimming cricket or baseball.

You can choose swimming, cricket, or baseball.You can choose swimming, cricket or baseball.You, can, choose swimming cricket or baseball.You, can choose, swimming cricket or baseball.

17. 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.?'

18. 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.

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

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

20. Read each sentence and decide where the commas belong.
My brother's favorite meal is sausages beans and mash.

My brother's favorite meal is sausages, beans and mash.My brother's, favorite meal, is sausages beans and mash.My, brother's favorite meal is sausages, beans and mash.My brother's favorite meal is sausages, beans, and mash.

21. 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.

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

There were many different sorts of meat on the table: beef, pork, venison, and poultry.When he at last got home, he suddenly realized that he had forgotten his briefcase at the office.Crossing the road, he was knocked down by a bus.I have not seen any bears wolves or deer in the mountains this year.

23. 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.

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

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

25. Read each sentence and decide where the commas belong.
Between March and April five counties were issued with drought warnings.

Between March and April, five counties were issued with drought warnings.Between March, and April, five counties were issued with drought warnings.Between, March and April, five counties were issued with drought warnings.Between March and April five counties, were issued with drought warnings.