Commas How to use them Commas A comma

Commas How to use them

Commas - , • A comma is a punctuation mark • It tells us to take a brief pause when we are reading – not as long as a full stop. • It is the most common punctuation mark but has to be used carefully.

Commas • Commas can change the meaning of a sentence • Title of book – Eats shoots and leaves. – Eats, shoots and leaves.

Changing meaning 2 • The old lady collected all sorts of things: silver, paper, hats, clocks and tablecloths. • The old lady collected all sorts of things: silver, paper hats, clocks and tablecloths.

Different Uses - 1 • When there is a list of words in a sentence – – We will need hammers, nails and a saw. She stopped, stared and ran. Mr Cherry was a warm, hospitable man. Sam frightened the cat, teased the dog and annoyed the neighbours.

Different Uses - 2 • Commas are used to break up longer sentences into smaller parts to make more sense. – When he saw the pirate ship on the horizon, the captain gave the alarm. – She called as loudly as she could, but noone could hear her.

Different Uses - 3 • Commas are used to separate any extra information that is added. • The words enclosed by the commas could be left out without changing the general meaning of the sentence.

Adding information • Paul Mann, our star player, broke his leg in the match on Saturday. • Paul Mann broke his leg in the match on Saturday. • The man, who was wearing a blue hat, slid silently into the room. • The man slid silently into the room.

Other Uses • To break up groups of numbers into thousands. – 1, 999 • When writing a date. – February 14 th, 1990 • Inside speech marks. – “We are leaving tomorrow, ” said Fred.

Practice Miss Jones , the plumber, is good at looking after children. Peter , Jennifer, blow dries my hair every week. Mrs White , the typist, has a son called Sam. Our nanny , my hairdresser, fixed a leak in our pipes last week. Mr Smith , our teacher, works in a large office.

Practice • • • When he reached the car park, Although he was very tired, Despite queuing for hours, We did our homework, I waited for my brother,

Summary - Commas • • Show a brief pause within a sentence Separate items in a list Separate additional information Break up longer sentences into smaller parts • Break up numbers into thousands • Inside speech marks.