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Commas for a List

Learn how commas neatly separate items in a list so your KS1 sentences stay clear, calm, and easy to read.

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Fascinating Fact:

Put commas between items, like “We had apples, bananas, grapes and pears for snack.”

In KS1 English, children learn to use commas to separate items in a list. This stops sentences from becoming muddled and helps readers follow each item clearly and confidently.

Key Terms

Comma: A small punctuation mark (,) that separates items so a sentence is easier to read.
List: A group of words or items written in one sentence, like colours, foods, or toys.
Item: One thing in the list, such as a single fruit, name, or object.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

How do you use commas in a list for KS1?

In KS1, use commas between each item in a list, but no comma before the final and. For example: We saw lions, tigers, zebras and giraffes.

Should I put a comma before and in a simple list?

For KS1 work in UK schools, children are usually taught not to use a comma before and in short, simple lists.

Why are commas in a list important for young children?

Commas in a list help young readers pause in the right place, see each item clearly, and avoid mixing words together.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

When writing, you need to add lots of description. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

Both fairies had brown hair, cream wings, glittery shoes and magic wands.

Both fairies had brown hair, cream wings,, glittery shoes and magic wands.

Both fairies had brown hair, cream wings, glittery shoes, and magic wands.

Both fairies had brown hair, cream wings, glittery shoes and magic, wands.

So that you know what the fairies look like, I've added descriptive words. A descriptive word is also called an adjective. When you write, it's good to add lots of adjectives to help the reader imagine what your characters look like.

2 .

We can list the things we like, separating each item with a comma. Which sentence is correct?

I like apples bananas and oranges.

I like apples, bananas and oranges.

I like apples, bananas, and oranges.

I like apples, bananas, and, oranges.

Remember a comma separates items in a list. The word 'and' isn't a thing (noun) so we won't ever need a comma next to that word.

3 .

Have a look at these sentences, which one is perfect?

At the zoo we saw giraffes, elephants, penguins, lions, camels, and snakes.

At the zoo we saw giraffes, elephants, penguins, lions, camels and snakes.

At the zoo we saw giraffes elephants, penguins, lions, camels and snakes.

At the zoo we saw giraffes, elephants, penguins, lions, camels and, snakes.

No matter how long the list is, we will always need to add commas. The zoo in San Diego houses over 3,700 animals.

4 .

Which sentence is perfect?

He had blue feathers, long talons, strong teeth.

The bluebird had black eyes, a shiny beak and bright blue feathers.

He was short fat small feet and blue.

The bluebird liked to sing, twitter, eat nuts.

Bluebirds eat small fruits and hunt insects and spiders.

5 .

Below is a list of words (adjectives) to describe this picture but only one list is correctly formatted; can you select the right one?

Four, legs, brown hair, green, mask, flowing, cape and black, nose.

Four legs, brown hair, green mask. flowing cape and black nose.

Four legs, brown hair, green mask, flowing cape and black nose.

Four. legs, brown hair, green mask, flowing cape and black nose.

A comma indicates when to pause. If you are ever unsure, read aloud and listen to when you are pausing and see if it makes sense.

6 .

Finish this sentence: A cricket player needs...

a helmet pads, bat and gloves.

a helmet, pads bat and gloves.

a helmet, pads, bat and gloves.

a helmet, pads, bat, and gloves.

Cricket is a sport enjoyed by many countries but only two countries can play in The Ashes - a tournament between England and Australia that happens every other year.

7 .

Below are four different sentences but only one is correct; which one is it?

The cat told me to jump, dance, sing and cry.

Cats are loving animals that are caring, smelly, and joyful.

The mouse refused to listen to the cat and instead said she should jump, dance, sing, cry laugh and wiggle.

Cats and mice are best friends because they are both great, fun, and loving.

On average, cats live for around fourteen years.

8 .

We can list things we don't like. Which sentence is correct?

Vegetables I don't like are tomatoes, cabbages carrots and broccoli.

Vegetables I don't like are tomatoes cabbages, carrots and broccoli.

Vegetables I don't like are tomatoes, cabbages, carrots, broccoli.

Vegetables I don't like are tomatoes, cabbages, carrots and broccoli.

Don't forget, we always need the word 'and' in between the last two words. However, if we are writing this in the format of a shopping list, with one word under the other, then you don't need to include the word 'and'.

9 .

Only one sentence is correct. Which one is it?

My alien friend had been to Venus, Mars, Jupiter Saturn and Pluto.

My alien friend had been to Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto

My alien friend had been to Venus,, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto.

My alien friend had been to Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto.

Don't forget, there should never be two commas next to each other and always end your sentence with a full stop.

10 .

Which sentence is perfect?

In my bag I have a book, some pencils, a ruler. paper clips and scissors.

In my bag I have a book. some pencils. a ruler. paper clips and scissors.

In my bag I have a book, some pencils, a ruler, paper clips and scissors,

In my bag I have a book, some pencils, a ruler, paper clips and scissors.

Don't forget - the difference between a full stop and a comma is that a comma has a tail on the end. The circular part of the comma should sit on the line like a full stop and its small tail should fall beneath the line.

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - How are commas used in a list?

Author: Finola Waller (MEd, Primary School Teacher & KS1 English Quiz Writer)