Harder punctuation 1 How do I use commas

Harder punctuation 1) How do I use commas? 2) When do I use a colon? 3) When are bullet points best used?

Commas are used to clarify meaning To separate a clause or phrase, e. g. a fronted adverbial To separate items in a list or several words in a description To indicate a grammatical break

• Commas separate clauses or phrases Remember! A clause has an active verb. A phrase does not! We need a comma when… When the puppy tumbled, his mum picked him up. With big sloppy licks, the mother dog greeted her puppy. the clause or phrase is at the front of the sentence the clause is embedded within the sentence The mother dog, who has the saddest eyes, greeted her puppy.

• Commas separate clauses or phrases We need a comma when… the clause or phrase is at the front of the sentence the clause is embedded within the sentence Punctuate this sentence. With a long low growl the dog warned Cruella De Vil that it could if it wanted give her a nasty bite.

• Commas separate items in a list Cruella de Vil has a gold leather belt a fur hat a silver blouse a long pencil skirt and a truly magnificent fur coat. BUT let’s make a sentence from our list…

• Commas separate items in a list Cruella de Vil has a gold leather belt a fur hat a silver blouse a long pencil skirt BUT Where are the commas? and a truly magnificent fur coat.

• Commas separate items in a list Cruella De Vil has a silver blouse, a long pencil skirt, a gold leather belt , a fur hat and a truly magnificent fur coat. NO comma needed here! Commas separate the items No comma is needed before ‘and’ Punctuate this sentence. Cruella De Vil’s house has creepy stairs spooky attics dark corridors filthy kitchens silent gardens and a black roof

Commas indicate a grammatical break She scared the poor little dogs, making horribly loud noises in their ears. Cruella was not , when the truth was told , fond of dogs at all. Punctuate this sentence. The comma separates a phrase The commas indicate a grammatical entity The dog’s home did not when all was said and done want to employ Cruella De Vil.

Colons and bullet points Dogs in the home included: • • Start of the list spaniels with sad eyes Bullet points labradors with soft ears terriers with naughty grins dalmatians with beautiful fur Spot the colon!

Bullet points If the bullets are not complete sentences, they do not normally start with capital letters. Duties of a dog walker: • • • collecting collars and leads opening kennels with keys taking dogs for a walk returning to kennels locking kennels securely If bullets are complete sentences, they start with capital letters. Duties of a dog walker: • • • You collect the collars and leads. Keys must be used to open kennels. Dogs are then walked for an hour. Have any dogs displayed problems? Ensure all kennels are re-locked. If the bullets are complete sentences, end-of-sentence punctuation such as full stops and question marks must be used.

Answers Can you add the correct punctuation here? 1. The labrador was, in his own way, quite a stubborn old dog. 2. Cruella, who was not used to being rejected, was furious. 3. The poor little puppies were found to have no food, no water, dirty bed-clothes, no fresh air and no way of getting outside. 4. We will be asking questions: • H how much experience do you have with dogs ? • W why do you want the job ? • Aare there any dogs that you do not like? • W why would you be a good dog walker?

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