Grammar Toolkit Comma What is a comma Grammar

Grammar Toolkit Comma What is a comma?

Grammar Toolkit Commas separate words, phrases and clauses within sentences. Hayley, who is my best friend, should arrive any minute. The sentence still makes sense if you remove the information between the commas. If the information is essential to the meaning, don’t put commas around it. Commas also separate clauses joined by one of the coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Alex likes making model trucks, and Liam likes blowing them up. A comma never just replaces a full stop — a conjunction must also be there.

Grammar Toolkit Comma Where do commas belong in these sentences? Lauren, after running far and fast for the bus, took a few minutes to catch her breath. Loud fireworks started the carnival, and a louder fire engine ended the carnival. He, as far as I know, doesn’t like chocolate. Everyone has seen the stars, yet few people have explored them. The car started and we left in a hurry. A comma is not needed if the clauses are short.

Grammar Toolkit Commas separate dialogue from the rest of the sentence and show who is being talked to. My aunt said, “You have the most adorable gecko. ” “Aunty Fraser, you have a good eye for pets. ” “I do, Chloe, I certainly do. ” Commas also separate interjections, asides and the words yes and no from answers. Yes, the film starts at 2 pm. An aside is an extra comment, Well, let’s get some dinner. which are common in speech. An interjection expresses Oh, come on! surprise or emotion.

Grammar Toolkit Comma Where do commas belong in these sentences? Hey, who stole my lunch box? This question clause is separated by a comma. You don’t want to eat now, do you? “We drifted for days without water” , croaked the weary survivor. No, Ali, you may not watch television now. “Not likely” , said Mum, “not likely at all. ”

Grammar Toolkit Comma • Punctuation helps others to understand our writing. • A comma (, ) is a separating punctuation mark. It shows a short pause. • It separates: – parts of sentences (e. g. Mr Thistlewaite, our new coach, can run as fast as anyone. ) – clauses joined by a conjunction (e. g. I’m ready to go, but you don’t have your shoes on yet. ) – parts of dialogue (e. g. “Finbar, please close the door, ” she asked. )

Grammar Toolkit Comma The End