The recipe needed jam flour sugar fruit eggs ketchup and baking powder.

3. "Look at this" he whispered

Paulina his wife of many years had decided to go and live in Greece.

As the sun began to sink over the sea Karen got ready to go out.

She was intelligent not especially practical.

The thief was wearing impractical high heels so she could not run fast.

We go to Blackpool for the cuisine not the weather.

9. "I advise you" said the teacher "not to cross me again today."

Steven his head still spinning walked out of the office for the last time.

Using the comma 2

In this exercise, you will be given a number of sentences, only one of which is correctly punctuated with commas. Select the correct sentence.

1.

a)    My favourite countries are, Spain, Greece, India, and Hungary.

b)    My favourite countries are Spain, Greece, India and Hungary.

c)    My favourite countries are, Spain Greece India and Hungary.

2.

a)     I really don't like blancmange, so I never eat the stuff.

b)    I really don't like blancmange so, I never eat the stuff.

c)    I really don't like blancmange so I never eat the stuff.

3.

a)    Once, the storm was over we were able to set sail for the lost island.

b)    Once the storm was over, we were able to set sail for the lost island.

c)    Once the storm was over we were able to set sail for the lost island.

4.

a)    Jill, a talented woman in the world of business decided to run for president.

b)    Jill, a talented woman in the world of business, decided to run for president.

c)    Jill a talented woman in the world of business, decided to run for president.

5.

a)    We used to live in an, old, dilapidated, ramshackle house.

b)    We used to live in an old, dilapidated, ramshackle house.

c)    We used to live in an old, dilapidated, ramshackle, house.

6.

a)    I love eating cake and biscuits, not vegetables.

b)    I love eating, cake and biscuits, not vegetables.

c)    I love eating, cake and biscuits not vegetables.

7.

       a)    Paul said he had seen Jim and John at the party last night.

       b)    Paul said he had seen Jim, and John at the party last night.

       c)    Paul said he had seen, Jim and John at the party last night.

8.

a)    I am going clubbing in Ibiza, and my wife is going on a cruise to Crete, Mallorca and Menorca.

b)    I am going clubbing in Ibiza, and my wife is going on a cruise to Crete Mallorca and Menorca.

c)    I am going clubbing in Ibiza and my wife is going on a cruise to Crete, Mallorca and Menorca.

9.

a)    Given the terrible weather conditions it is surprising that the holiday was so enjoyable.

b)    Given the terrible weather conditions, it is surprising, that the holiday was so enjoyable.

c)    Given the terrible weather conditions, it is surprising that the holiday was so enjoyable.

10.

a)    India, a truly beautiful interesting and exotic country, is now a popular holiday destination.

b)    India, a truly beautiful, interesting and exotic country, is now a popular holiday destination.

c)    India a truly beautiful, interesting and exotic country is now a popular holiday destination.

Separating Clauses

In this exercise you will be presented with a sentence punctuated in different ways. You will have to decide which of the alternatives is punctuated correctly. This exercise tests your understanding of colons, semi-colons and commas.

1.

a)    Steve always went to watch football: he loved the atmosphere at the games.

b)    Steve always went to watch football, he loved the atmosphere at the games.

c)    Steve always went to watch football; he loved the atmosphere at the games.

2.

a)    I love eating; eggs, bacon, cheese and toast.

b)    I love eating eggs bacon cheese and toast.

c)    I love eating eggs, bacon, cheese and toast.

3.

a)    These are my favourite countries; Spain Hungary India and Greece.

b)    These are my favourite countries: Spain, Hungary, India and Greece.

c)    These are my favourite countries: Spain Hungary India and Greece.

4.

a)    As the sun was rising. Steve was getting into bed.

b)    As the sun was rising, Steve was getting into bed.

c)    As the sun was rising; Steve was getting into bed.

5.   

a)    I love writing; English was always my favourite subject.

b)    I love writing English; was always my favourite subject.

c)    I love writing, English was always my favourite subject.

6.

a)    My old boss used to say: 'Chin up lad.'

b)    My old boss used to say; 'Chin up lad.'

c)    My old boss used to say, 'Chin up lad.'

7.

a)    Paul hates anything technical so, he never turns his computer on.

b)    Paul hates anything technical, so he never turns his computer on.

c)    Paul hates anything technical; so he never turns his computer on.

8.

a)    Jill Paul's wife was kind, generous, clever and a fantastic cook.

b)    Jill, Paul's wife, was kind generous clever and a fantastic cook.

c)    Jill, Paul's wife, was kind, generous, clever and a fantastic cook.

9.

a)    I love travelling: Spain, India, Thailand and Hungary are my favourite countries.

b)    I love travelling Spain, India, Thailand and Hungary are my favourite countries.

c)    I love travelling; Spain, India, Thailand and Hungary are my favourite countries.

10.

a)    "I love it here," he said. "It's so peaceful."

b)    "I love it here," he said, It's so peaceful."

c)    "I love it here" he said "It's so peaceful."

 

(C) University of Bristol

 

Punctuation Exercise

1. We had a great time in France the kids really enjoyed it

2. Some people work best in the mornings others do better in the evenings

3. What are you doing next weekend

4. Mother had to go into hospital she had heart problems

5. Did you understand why I was upset

6. It is a fine idea let us hope that it is going to work

7. We will be arriving on Monday morning at least I think so

8. A textbook can be a wall between teacher and class

9. The girls father sat in a corner

10. In the words of Murphys Law Anything that can go wrong will go wrong