Let's practise

Tick to show where a pair of commas should go in the sentence.

James despite being the most talkative member of the class always finishes his work first.

  • Read the question carefully and read it again. What is it asking you to do?
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It is asking you to identify where a pair of commas should go.

  • Find the 'extra' information in the sentence.
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The comment about James being talkative is 'extra' information. This can be placed between commas.

  • Check that the sentence makes sense without the information inside the commas.
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James always finishes his work first.

  • Tick the boxes at the beginning and end of the 'extra' information.
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James despite being the most talkative member of the class always finishes his work first.

  • Add the commas at the beginning and end of the 'extra' information.
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James, despite being the most talkative member of the class, always finishes his work first.

  • Check your answer.