Commas Revision

For a small punctuation mark, the comma does lots of different jobs. Work through the following slides and questions to check your knowledge.

- Commas can break up lists of three or more things.

- Put a comma after each item in the list.

- When you get to the end of your list you don't need a comma because you can use 'and' or 'or' instead.

For example,

I went shopping for eggs, bread, milk and chocolate.

- Two simple sentences (also called 'clauses') can be joined by using a joining word and a comma.

- Joining words are words like 'and', 'but' and 'so'.

- The comma is added before the joining word.

For example

I have to leave. I can't find my coat.

I have to leave, but I can't find my coat.

If you have two complete sentences that you want to join together, don't just put a comma between them.

For example,

I like to dance, Caroline likes to sing.

You need to add a joining word or a different punctuation mark.

I like to dance, and Caroline likes to sing.

If you have two sentences but you don't use any punctuation or words to link them, this is called a 'run-on' sentence. Avoid this in your own writing.

For example,

Jenny ran the race well she came third overall. X

Jenny ran the race well, and she came third overall. CORRECT!

- Extra information in a sentence can be separated using commas.

- Extra information adds detail, but you don't need it for the sentence to make sense.

For example,

The cat, who had a long tail, was really fluffy.

(If you took the extra information away, the sentence would still make sense. 'The cat was really fluffy.'

Sometimes extra information can come at the start or end of a sentence.

When the extra information comes at the start of a sentence, you can use a comma.

For example

When she made the joke, everyone in the room laughed.

Commas are used to introduce speech when writing.

For example,

The director shouted, 'Action!'

Tom asked, 'please can I have some help?'

When the sentence continues after the speech, you'll need to use another comma.

The director shouted, 'Action', and the actors began the scene.