The Top 10 Spelling, Punctuation & Grammar (SPaG) Rules for the 11+

In the 11+ English exam, a strong vocabulary and vivid imagination are essential. But what holds all great writing together? Impeccable Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar, or SPaG.

Good SPaG is the foundation upon which clear communication is built. For an examiner, a piece of writing that is grammatically correct and accurately punctuated is easier to read and understand, immediately creating a positive impression. Whether in a dedicated SPaG section or as part of a creative writing task, demonstrating mastery of these rules is crucial for securing top marks.

But with so many rules to remember, where should you focus your child’s revision time?

At elevenplus.com, we’ve analysed countless exam papers to identify the core skills that matter most. This guide provides the definitive list of the top 10 SPaG rules your child must know, plus 4 expert techniques to help them master them.

In this definitive guide, you will learn:

• The 10 most frequently tested SPaG rules, with clear examples.
• 4 powerful, practical techniques to practice and improve SPaG skills.
• Why mastering these rules is critical for both English papers and creative writing.

The Top 10 SPaG Rules for 11+ Success

1. Master the Apostrophe

This is arguably the most common source of errors. The apostrophe has two main jobs:

• Contraction: To show where letters are missing (e.g. do not becomes don't).
• Possession: To show that something belongs to someone or something.
  • For a single noun, add 's (e.g. The dog's bone).
  • For a plural noun ending in ‘s’, add the apostrophe after the ‘s’ (e.g. The dogs' bones).

2. Command the Comma

Commas bring clarity to writing. Your child needs to know their two primary uses:

• In a list: To separate three or more items (e.g. “I need to buy bread, milk, and eggs.”).
• To separate clauses: To join a main clause and a subordinate clause (e.g. “Although it was raining, we still went to the park.”).

3. Conquer Homophones

Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. The most critical trios are:

• There / Their / They’re
• Your / You’re

4. Capital Letters are Crucial

Marks are easily lost here. Capitals are needed for:

• The start of every sentence.
• The pronoun “I”.
• Proper nouns: specific names of people (David), places (London), days (Monday), etc.

5. Perfect Your Paragraphs

Paragraphs give structure to writing. Teach your child the simple rule: start a new paragraph when you change Time, Place, Topic, or Person (speaking).

6. Use Speech Marks Correctly

When punctuating direct speech, the rules are precise.

• The speech marks (” “) hug the words that are spoken.
• A new line is needed for a new speaker.
• The punctuation (comma, full stop, question mark) goes inside the closing speech mark.
• Example: “What time is it?” asked Ben.

7. Tense Consistency is Key

A story should stick to one main tense, usually the past tense. Children often switch between past (“he walked”) and present (“he walks”) by mistake.

8. Subject-Verb Agreement

A singular subject needs a singular verb, and a plural subject needs a plural verb.

• Incorrect: The dogs was barking.
• Correct: The dogs were barking.

9. Sentence Structure Variety

Examiners look for writing that flows well. This means using a variety of simple, compound, and complex sentences.

10. Understand the Colon and Semi-colon

These are higher-level punctuation marks, and using one correctly can really impress an examiner.

• Colon (:): Used to introduce a list, a quote, or an explanation.
• Semi-colon (;): Used to join two closely related main clauses.

How to Practice: 4 Powerful Techniques to Master SPaG

Knowing the rules is the first step. The next is to practice them until they become second nature. Here are four expert-backed methods to help your child improve.

1. Read and Proofread… Out Loud

This is the most effective habit you can build. When we read our own writing silently, our brain often auto-corrects mistakes. Reading aloud forces us to slow down.

• The Technique: After your child has written a piece, have them read it out loud to you. They will naturally hear where a sentence sounds clumsy or where punctuation is missing. It makes them the first editor of their own work.
• Why it Works: It connects the visual look of punctuation on the page with the natural rhythm and pauses of speech, creating a much deeper understanding.

2. Play the “Slow Writing” Game

This technique, used by many top educators, turns writing into a focused, deliberate exercise.

• The Technique: Challenge your child to write a short paragraph of 5 sentences. For each sentence, give them a specific SPaG feature they must include.
  • Sentence 1: Must start with a fronted adverbial (e.g. “Later that day,…”).
  • Sentence 2: Must include a possessive apostrophe.
  • Sentence 3: Must be a compound sentence, using ‘but’.
  • Sentence 4: Must include correctly punctuated speech.
  • Sentence 5: Must use a semi-colon.
• Why it Works: It forces the child to think consciously about each rule as they apply it, moving it from passive knowledge to active skill.

3. Make it Fun with SPaG Games

Grammar practice doesn’t have to be boring worksheets. Gamification can lower anxiety and make learning more memorable.

• The Technique: Use online quizzes, dice games, or even create your own “Grammar Truth or Dare” to review concepts. You can find many free resources online, or use the targeted quizzes on our elevenplus.com platform.
• Why it Works: Games are highly motivating and provide a relaxed atmosphere where children are more willing to take risks and learn from their mistakes.

4. Focus on the “Mistake of the Week”

Instead of trying to fix everything at once, which can be overwhelming, focus on targeted improvement.

• The Technique: After reviewing a piece of work, identify one recurring SPaG error (e.g. using commas in lists). Make that the “Mistake of the Week”. Your child’s only goal for that week is to pay special attention to that one rule in all their writing.
• Why it Works: This systematic approach allows for deep learning and mastery of one concept at a time, building a strong foundation brick by brick.

From Rules to Results

Mastering these 10 rules will have a dramatic impact on your child’s 11+ performance. By using these four practical techniques, you can make the learning process engaging, effective, and even fun.

Ready to put these skills into practice?

➡️ Our interactive English quizzes on elevenplus.com feature hundreds of SPaG questions that test these rules in an engaging, low-pressure environment, with instant feedback to help your child learn.