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

Commas 2

Master comma manners in speech, lists, and sentences. Learn direct address, avoid comma splices, and write clearly for 11 Plus English.

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Fascinating Fact:

Use a comma with names: Emma, can you help? Thank you, Mum. Avoid comma splices like It was late, we left. Use a full stop or conjunction.

In 11 Plus English, commas help readers follow your meaning. This quiz covers direct address with names, commas in lists, joining clauses correctly, and fixing comma splices for clear writing.

Key Terms

Direct address: Speaking to someone by name inside a sentence, set off with commas.
Comma splice: Two independent clauses joined only by a comma. Fix with a conjunction, semicolon, or full stop.
Coordinating conjunction: A joining word such as and, but, or, so, yet, for, nor used to link clauses.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

Do I need a comma before a name in a sentence?

Yes, when addressing someone directly, add commas around the name. Example Emma, please pack up or Thank you, Mum.

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

A comma splice joins two complete sentences with only a comma. Fix it with a full stop, a semicolon, or add a coordinating conjunction after the comma.

Should I use a comma before and in a compound sentence?

Use a comma before and when it links two independent clauses. Example We revised, and we checked our answers. Do not use it for a simple list of verbs.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

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.

‘who is 80’ adds extra information to the sentence. If we take it out of the sentence, the sentence still has the same meaning: 'My grandfather goes jogging every day'

2 .

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

John has one brother. His brother who is 18 years old, spent his holiday in Greece.

John has one brother. His brother, who is 18 years old spent his holiday in Greece.

John has one brother. His brother, who is 18 years old, spent his holiday in Greece.

John has one brother. His brother who is 18 years old spent his holiday in Greece.

'who is 18 years old' adds extra information to the sentence. If we take it out of the sentence, the sentence still has the same meaning: 'His brother spent his holiday in Greece'. You have been told that he only has one brother, so you know who is being spoken about

3 .

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

The church, which we visited yesterday is very old.

The church which we visited yesterday is very old.

The church, which we visited yesterday, is very old.

The church which we visited yesterday, is very old.

'which we visited yesterday' tells us which church is being talked about - it is NOT extra information. If you remove it, you will be left with 'The church is very old'. Which church?

4 .

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.

'whose wife is Italian' adds extra information to the sentence. If we take it out of the sentence, the sentence still has the same meaning: 'My friend Paul moved to Italy last week'

5 .

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.

'which he loved so much' adds extra information to the sentence. If we take it out of the sentence, the sentence still has the same meaning: 'The building reminded him of his house'

6 .

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.

'that he had bought at the market' tells us which 'jacket' is being talked about - it is NOT extra information. If you remove it, you will be left with 'He was wearing the jacket '. Which jacket?

7 .

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.

'whose dog was run over' tells us which 'man' is being talked about - it is NOT extra information. If you remove it, you will be left with 'The man is very sad'. Which man?

8 .

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.

'which is smaller than mine' adds extra information to the sentence. If we take it out of the sentence, the sentence still has the same meaning: 'William's garden is wonderful.'

9 .

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.

'who is a famous athlete' adds extra information to the sentence. If we take it out of the sentence, the sentence still has the same meaning: 'His eldest brother doesn't like drinking'. You know who is being talked about - his ELDEST brother

10 .

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.

'who lives in France' adds extra information to the sentence. If we take it out of the sentence, the sentence still has the same meaning: 'His sister speaks French and Spanish'. You know who is being talked about because he has only ONE sister. In 'He has two sisters. His sister, who lives in France, speaks French and Spanish' you have to define which 'sister' you are talking about. This means that you should omit the commas: 'He has two sisters. His sister who lives in France speaks French and Spanish.' Now you know that the person being talked about is his sister that lives in France

Author: Frank Evans (Specialist 11 Plus Teacher and Tutor)