SPaG Depth Set 3
SPaG Depth Set 3 moves past basic spelling, punctuation and grammar rules into finer points that separate a strong 11+ script from an average one: the difference between a possessive apostrophe and a contraction, using a comma to remove ambiguity rather than mark a pause, choosing between a semicolon and a colon to join two linked ideas, and recognising the subjunctive mood in formal constructions such as 'if it were'. These rules are tested less often than basic ones, but examiners use them to stretch the strongest candidates.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- For apostrophes, always ask first whether the word is a contraction (it's = it is) or a possessive (its = belonging to it); the two are never interchangeable despite sounding identical.
- For possessive apostrophes with plural nouns, place the apostrophe after the 's' for a regular plural already ending in s (the dogs' bowls) but before the 's' for an irregular plural (the children's toys).
- Use a comma to prevent ambiguity where a sentence could otherwise be misread, for example separating a list item from a following clause, not only to mark a natural pause.
- Use a semicolon to join two closely related, independent clauses that could each stand alone as a sentence, where a comma alone would create a run-on sentence.
- Use a colon to introduce a list, an explanation, or an example that directly follows from and elaborates on the first clause.
- Recognise the subjunctive mood in fixed formal expressions of wish, doubt or hypothesis (if I were, I wish she were, it is essential that he be present), where 'were' or the base form of the verb is used instead of the expected 'was' or 'is'.
- When editing your own writing, check specifically for these subtler errors last, after checking basic spelling and punctuation, since they are easy to overlook in a final read-through.
Worked example
Explain the punctuation choice in this sentence and correct it if it is wrong: 'I have three goals for this term, improve my reading speed, finish my project, and revise for the SPaG test.'
- Read the sentence: it introduces a list of three goals after the word 'goals for this term'.
- Identify the punctuation currently used: a comma is used to introduce the list, but the sentence is really presenting the list as an elaboration of the first clause.
- Recognise that a colon, not a comma, is the correct mark to introduce a list that directly follows and explains the first clause.
- Check the list items are correctly separated by commas once the list has started, which they already are.
- Corrected sentence: 'I have three goals for this term: improve my reading speed, finish my project, and revise for the SPaG test.'
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1Choose the correct word: 'The cat licked (its / it's) paw.'Show answer
Answer: its (possessive, meaning belonging to it; it's would mean 'it is')
Q2Where should the apostrophe go in 'the childrens playground' (more than one child, irregular plural)?Show answer
Answer: children's (before the s, since 'children' is already an irregular plural: the children's playground).
Q3Where should the apostrophe go in 'the students results' (referring to the results belonging to several students)?Show answer
Answer: students' (after the s, since 'students' is a regular plural: the students' results).
Q4Join these two sentences correctly with a semicolon: 'The rain finally stopped. The sun came out almost immediately.'Show answer
Answer: The rain finally stopped; the sun came out almost immediately.
Q5Explain why the comma matters in these two versions: 'Let's eat, Grandma.' and 'Let's eat Grandma.'Show answer
Answer: Without the comma, 'Let's eat Grandma' appears to suggest eating Grandma; the comma before 'Grandma' shows she is being spoken to, meaning let us eat, Grandma - the comma prevents dangerous ambiguity.
Q6Choose the grammatically correct subjunctive form: 'If I (was / were) taller, I would join the basketball team.'Show answer
Answer: were (the subjunctive mood is used after 'if' for a hypothetical situation).
Q7Correct the punctuation: 'She had one request see her family before the operation.'Show answer
Answer: She had one request: see her family before the operation. (a colon introduces the explanation of the request)
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Correct the punctuation in the following two sentences, and briefly explain your reasoning for each: (a) 'The three finalists dresses were laid out ready for the show.' (more than one finalist, regular plural) (b) 'I wish I was able to attend the concert next week.' (5 marks)
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Explain the difference in use between a semicolon and a colon when joining or linking two clauses, giving one example sentence of your own for each. (4 marks)
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Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the spag depth set 3 worksheet pack - 14 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
This topic is chapter 6 of 11+ English Workbook 3, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
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