CommasCommasCommasCommas

How to use themHow 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.• 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

no-one 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.– 1,999,999

• When writing a date.– February 14th, 1990

• Inside speech marks.– “We are leaving tomorrow,” said Fred.

Practice, the plumber,

, Jennifer,

, the typist,

, my hairdresser,

, our teacher,

is good at looking after children.

blow dries my hair every week.

has a son called Sam.

fixed a leak in our pipes last week.

works in a large office.

Miss Jones

Peter

Mrs White

Our nanny

Mr Smith

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.