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English Quiz - Punctuation (Commas) 01 (Questions)

Master commas in KS3 English. Learn when to separate clauses, list items, and direct speech so your writing reads clearly and your punctuation choices are confident.

Explore the Topic →
(quiz starts below)

Fascinating Fact:

Quoted speech uses a comma before the closing mark when a reporting clause follows, “See you at 4,15 pm,” said Ben.

In KS3 English, commas help readers navigate sentences. You will use commas for lists, to separate main and extra information, and to punctuate direct speech clearly and accurately in your writing.

Key Terms

  • Clause: A group of words with a subject and a verb. It can be main or subordinate.
  • Reporting clause: The part that tells who is speaking, such as she said or Ben replied.
  • Comma splice: Two sentences joined only by a comma. Fix it with a full stop, semicolon, or a joining word.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What are the main uses of commas in KS3 English?

Use commas to separate items in a list, to mark extra information like appositives, after fronted adverbials, and to punctuate direct speech before the reporting clause.

How do I punctuate speech with commas?

Place the comma inside the closing quotation mark if the reporting clause follows, for example, “I’m ready,” said Maya. Start new speech with a capital letter.

What is a comma splice and how do I fix it?

A comma splice joins two full sentences with only a comma. Replace the comma with a full stop, use a semicolon, or add a conjunction like and or because.

Try These Related Quizzes

1. Add commas to the following sentence.
Mum asked John to buy eggs bread butter and jam.
[ ] Mum asked John to buy eggs bread, butter and jam.
[ ] Mum asked John to buy eggs, bread butter and jam.
[ ] Mum asked John to buy eggs, bread, butter and jam.
[ ] Mum asked John to buy, eggs, bread, butter, and jam.
2. Add commas to the following sentence.
He took his pen pencil ruler books and lunch in a bag.
[ ] He took his pen, pencil ruler, books and lunch in a bag.
[ ] He took his pen, pencil, ruler books and lunch in a bag.
[ ] He, took his pen, pencil, ruler, books, and lunch in a bag.
[ ] He took his pen, pencil, ruler, books and lunch in a bag.
3. Add commas to the following sentence.
She used sugar flour milk eggs and butter for the cake.
[ ] She used sugar, flour milk eggs, and butter for the cake.
[ ] She used sugar flour, milk, eggs, and butter for the cake.
[ ] She used sugar, flour, milk eggs and butter for the cake.
[ ] She used sugar, flour, milk, eggs and butter for the cake.
4. Add commas to the following sentence.
He was late so we began without him.
[ ] He was late so we began without, him.
[ ] He was late so we began, without him.
[ ] He was late so, we began without him.
[ ] He was late, so we began without him.
5. Add commas to the following sentence.
She was late too of course so we started anyway.
[ ] She was late too of course, so we started anyway.
[ ] She was late too, of course so we started anyway.
[ ] She was late too, of course, so we started anyway.
[ ] She was late, too of course, so we started anyway.
6. Add commas to the following sentence.
It rained while they played however they carried on.
[ ] It rained while they played however, they carried on.
[ ] It rained while they played, however they carried on.
[ ] It rained while they played; however, they carried on.
[ ] It rained, while they played however they carried on.
7. Add commas to the following sentence.
He is feeling ill nevertheless the show must go on.
[ ] He is feeling ill nevertheless the show, must go on.
[ ] He is feeling ill, nevertheless the show must go on.
[ ] He is feeling ill; nevertheless, the show must go on.
[ ] He is feeling ill, nevertheless, the show, must go on.
8. Add commas to the following sentence.
The party was on the whole very enjoyable.
[ ] The party was on the whole, very enjoyable.
[ ] The party was, on the whole, very enjoyable.
[ ] The party, was on the whole very enjoyable.
[ ] The party was on the whole, very, enjoyable.
9. Add commas to the following sentence.
He realised of course that he had worried the teacher.
[ ] He realised of course that he had worried, the teacher.
[ ] He realised, of course, that he had worried the teacher.
[ ] He realised, of course, that he had worried, the teacher.
[ ] He realised, of course that he had worried the teacher.
10. Add commas to the following sentence.
Jim was in fact in charge of the whole project.
[ ] Jim was in fact in charge of, the whole project.
[ ] Jim was, in fact, in charge of the whole project.
[ ] Jim, was in fact in charge of the whole project.
[ ] Jim, was in fact, in charge of the whole project.

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - What is a comma?

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English Quiz - Punctuation (Commas) 01 (Answers)
1. Add commas to the following sentence.
Mum asked John to buy eggs bread butter and jam.
[ ] Mum asked John to buy eggs bread, butter and jam.
[ ] Mum asked John to buy eggs, bread butter and jam.
[x] Mum asked John to buy eggs, bread, butter and jam.
[ ] Mum asked John to buy, eggs, bread, butter, and jam.
Commas separate items in a list but are not necessary before "and"
2. Add commas to the following sentence.
He took his pen pencil ruler books and lunch in a bag.
[ ] He took his pen, pencil ruler, books and lunch in a bag.
[ ] He took his pen, pencil, ruler books and lunch in a bag.
[ ] He, took his pen, pencil, ruler, books, and lunch in a bag.
[x] He took his pen, pencil, ruler, books and lunch in a bag.
It's good he had a bag to carry all of those things!
3. Add commas to the following sentence.
She used sugar flour milk eggs and butter for the cake.
[ ] She used sugar, flour milk eggs, and butter for the cake.
[ ] She used sugar flour, milk, eggs, and butter for the cake.
[ ] She used sugar, flour, milk eggs and butter for the cake.
[x] She used sugar, flour, milk, eggs and butter for the cake.
Commas help the reader to see each item in a list separately
4. Add commas to the following sentence.
He was late so we began without him.
[ ] He was late so we began without, him.
[ ] He was late so we began, without him.
[ ] He was late so, we began without him.
[x] He was late, so we began without him.
The comma separates the second clause from the first
5. Add commas to the following sentence.
She was late too of course so we started anyway.
[ ] She was late too of course, so we started anyway.
[ ] She was late too, of course so we started anyway.
[x] She was late too, of course, so we started anyway.
[ ] She was late, too of course, so we started anyway.
A pair of bracketing commas separates "of course" from the rest of the sentence
6. Add commas to the following sentence.
It rained while they played however they carried on.
[ ] It rained while they played however, they carried on.
[ ] It rained while they played, however they carried on.
[x] It rained while they played; however, they carried on.
[ ] It rained, while they played however they carried on.
A semi-colon is necessary where the two full sentences are joined. "However" should be followed by a comma
7. Add commas to the following sentence.
He is feeling ill nevertheless the show must go on.
[ ] He is feeling ill nevertheless the show, must go on.
[ ] He is feeling ill, nevertheless the show must go on.
[x] He is feeling ill; nevertheless, the show must go on.
[ ] He is feeling ill, nevertheless, the show, must go on.
The semicolon prevents a comma splice
8. Add commas to the following sentence.
The party was on the whole very enjoyable.
[ ] The party was on the whole, very enjoyable.
[x] The party was, on the whole, very enjoyable.
[ ] The party, was on the whole very enjoyable.
[ ] The party was on the whole, very, enjoyable.
A pair of bracketing commas mark off "on the whole"
9. Add commas to the following sentence.
He realised of course that he had worried the teacher.
[ ] He realised of course that he had worried, the teacher.
[x] He realised, of course, that he had worried the teacher.
[ ] He realised, of course, that he had worried, the teacher.
[ ] He realised, of course that he had worried the teacher.
Mark off words such as "of course" for emphasis.
10. Add commas to the following sentence.
Jim was in fact in charge of the whole project.
[ ] Jim was in fact in charge of, the whole project.
[x] Jim was, in fact, in charge of the whole project.
[ ] Jim, was in fact in charge of the whole project.
[ ] Jim, was in fact, in charge of the whole project.
Use bracketing commas for "in fact"
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