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Year 9 English — Commas with clauses

Put the comma where a clause needs one — after a clause that comes first, around an extra piece of information, and between two main clauses joined by a joining word.

Name: ________________________

  1. 1.Each of these sentences needs one comma. Sort it by where that comma belongs.

    Groups: After the first clause · Before the joining word

    • The power failed without any warning at all and every fan in the building stopped.
    • The tap had been leaking for three whole days so we finally called a plumber.
    • Because the tap was leaking we called a plumber.
    • When the power failed the fans stopped.

  2. 2.In which sentence is a comma doing a job that only a full stop or a joining word can do?

    • a) The bell rang before the children ran out.
    • b) When the bell rang, the children ran out.
    • c) The bell rang, the children ran out.
    • d) The bell rang, and the children ran out.

  3. 3.Which of these is correctly written with no comma at all?

    • a) It had been raining hard since early morning so the whole family stayed indoors all day.
    • b) Our school which is very old has a big garden.
    • c) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
    • d) Because it was raining we stayed indoors.

  4. 4.Match each rule to the sentence that follows it.

    • A clause that comes before the main clause
    • A clause that comes after the main clause
    • Two main clauses joined by a joining word
    • An extra piece of information dropped into the middle
    • Our house, which is very old, has no fan at all.
    • We lit a candle when the lights went out.
    • When the lights went out, we lit a candle.
    • The lights went out, but we had a candle.

  5. 5.Write the one word the comma should come straight after: "Although the shop was closed we knocked anyway."

  6. 6.Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

    • a) However we could not find the key.
    • b) However, we could not find the key.
    • c) How ever, we could not find the key.
    • d) However we could not, find the key.

  7. 7.Sort each sentence by whether it needs a comma in it.

    Groups: Needs a comma · Needs no comma

    • We turned back because the road was blocked.
    • When the rain stopped we went out.
    • Because the road was blocked we turned back.
    • We went out when the rain stopped.
    • He finished the race because he wanted the medal.
    • Although he was tired he finished the race.

  8. 8.In which sentence is the comma wrong?

    • a) Before we left, we locked the gate.
    • b) It was late, so we took a taxi.
    • c) Our neighbour, who is a nurse, works nights.
    • d) We locked the gate, before we left.

Answer key — Year 9 English — Commas with clauses

  1. 1. Because the tap was leaking we called a plumber. → After the first clause; The tap had been leaking for three whole days so we finally called a plumber. → Before the joining word; When the power failed the fans stopped. → After the first clause; The power failed without any warning at all and every fan in the building stopped. → Before the joining word
  2. 2. c) The bell rang, the children ran out.
  3. 3. c) We stayed indoors because it was raining.
  4. 4. A clause that comes before the main clause → When the lights went out, we lit a candle.; A clause that comes after the main clause → We lit a candle when the lights went out.; Two main clauses joined by a joining word → The lights went out, but we had a candle.; An extra piece of information dropped into the middle → Our house, which is very old, has no fan at all.
  5. 5. closed
  6. 6. b) However, we could not find the key.
  7. 7. When the rain stopped we went out. → Needs a comma; We went out when the rain stopped. → Needs no comma; Although he was tired he finished the race. → Needs a comma; He finished the race because he wanted the medal. → Needs no comma; Because the road was blocked we turned back. → Needs a comma; We turned back because the road was blocked. → Needs no comma
  8. 8. d) We locked the gate, before we left.