Spot the error: commas

For the following questions, select the part of the sentence with an error, or select 'no mistake'.

• Okie dokie

• Do not click here!

To go fishing you need a fishing rod, a tent, a deck chair and a lot of patience!

• To go fishing you need

• a fishing rod,

• a tent,

• a deck chair and a lot of patience!

• No mistake

Answer explanation

'To go fishing' is a subordinate clause so needs a comma after it!

To go fishing, you need a fishing rod, a tent, a deck chair and a lot of patience!

My favourite foods are chocolate, ice cream and sweets.

• My favourite foods

• are chocolate,

• ice cream

• and sweets.

• no mistake

"It's time for play" announced Mr Blyth.

• "It's time

• for play"

• announced

• Mr Blyth.

• No mistake

Answer explanation

You need a comma after direct speech!

"It's time for play," announced Mr Blyth.

Jonny's favourite school subjects are history geography, art, music, rocket making and PE.

• Jonny's favourite school subjects are

• history geography,

• art, music,

• rocket making and PE.

• no mistake

Answer explanation

You need a comma between items on a list.

Jonny's favourite school subjects are history, geography, art, music, rocket making and PE.

Sally plays, the piano, the flute, the oboe, the bassoon and the didgeridoo.

• Sally plays,

• the piano, the flute,

• the oboe, the bassoon

• and the didgeridoo.

• no mistake

Answer explanation

This is not part of the list!

Sally plays the piano, the flute, the oboe, the bassoon and the didgeridoo.

If you ever get there, you will know it because the sea will be steeped in sunlight.

• If you ever get there,

• you will know it

• because the sea

• will be steeped in sunlight.

• no mistake

If only Bobby hadn't said anything he would not have been put outside the classroom.

• If only Bobby hadn't said anything

• he would not have been

• put outside the classroom.

• no mistake

Answer explanation

You need a comma if you start a sentence with a subordinate clause!

If only Bobby hadn't said anything, he would not have been put outside the classroom.

For the following questions, fill in the _ with the correct punctuation mark or select 'no punctuation mark'.

• No problem.

• Wrong answer.

Although Billy loves eating seafood _ he despises lobster.

• .

• ,

• ;

• :

• no punctuation mark