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Commas 01
Think carefully where commas should go in your writing.

Commas 01

Commas help make writing clearer and easier to read. This KS2 English quiz teaches when and how to use commas correctly in sentences.

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Fascinating Fact:

Travel writers use commas to add extra details about places, such as London, the capital of England, is full of history.

In KS2 English, pupils learn to use commas to separate items in a list, mark clauses, and make writing easier to understand. Commas can completely change the meaning of a sentence.

  • Comma: A punctuation mark used to separate words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence.
  • Clause: A group of words with a subject and a verb that forms part of a sentence.
  • List: A series of items written or spoken in order, often separated by commas.
When should I use commas in KS2 English?

Use commas to separate items in a list, after fronted adverbials, or to mark extra information in the middle of a sentence.

What happens if I forget a comma?

Forgetting a comma can make sentences confusing or change their meaning, for example “Let’s eat, Grandma” versus “Let’s eat Grandma.”

Do I need a comma before “and” in a list?

Usually no, but you can use one for clarity, called an Oxford comma, if it helps avoid confusion in longer lists.

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1 .
Read each sentence and decide where the commas belong.
On Tuesday we are going to the museum to see the dinosaurs.
On Tuesday we are going to the museum, to see the dinosaurs.
On Tuesday, we are going to the museum to see the dinosaurs.
On, Tuesday we are going to the museum to see the dinosaurs.
On Tuesday we are going, to the museum, to see the dinosaurs.
Phrases which give a time, date, or place, such as 'On Tuesday', are followed by a comma (but the comma is not absolutely necessary if the phrase has three words or fewer!).
2 .
Read each sentence and decide where the commas belong.
You can choose swimming cricket or rounders.
You can choose swimming, cricket or rounders.
You, can choose, swimming cricket or rounders.
You can choose swimming, cricket, or rounders.
You, can, choose swimming cricket or rounders.
In a list of options such as this one, the 'or' is preceded by a comma.
3 .
Read each sentence and decide where the commas belong.
Between March and April five counties were issued with drought warnings.
Between March and April, five counties were issued with drought warnings.
Between March, and April, five counties were issued with drought warnings.
Between March and April five counties, were issued with drought warnings.
Between, March and April, five counties were issued with drought warnings.
Drought means a shortage of water.
4 .
Read each sentence and decide where the commas belong.
We have two cats a dog and a guinea pig.
We have two cats, a dog and a guinea pig.
We, have two cats a dog, and a guinea pig.
We have two cats, a dog, and a guinea pig.
We have two, cats, a, dog, and a guinea, pig.
Read the sentence aloud to help you.
5 .
Read each sentence and decide where the commas belong.
By the age of seven she was already an impressive gymnast.
By the age of seven she was, already an impressive gymnast.
By the age of seven, she was already an impressive gymnast.
By the age of seven she was already an impressive, gymnast.
By the age, of seven, she was already an impressive gymnast.
The comma splits the sentence in two, a phrase 'By the age of seven' followed by a clause 'she was already an impressive gymnast'.
6 .
Read each sentence and decide where the commas belong.
My brother's favourite meal is sausages beans and mash.
My, brother's favourite meal is sausages, beans and mash.
My brother's favourite meal is sausages, beans, and mash.
My brother's, favourite meal, is sausages beans and mash.
My brother's favourite meal is sausages, beans and mash.
This is a simple list of three items and requires just one comma.
7 .
Read each sentence and decide where the commas belong.
Mum asked me to remember the butter the cheese and the bread.
Mum, asked me to remember, the butter the cheese and the bread.
Mum asked, me to remember the butter, the cheese, and the bread.
Mum asked me to remember the butter, the cheese and the bread.
Mum asked me to remember the butter, the cheese, and the bread.
In simple lists, a comma should separate each item except the two that are joined by 'and'.
8 .
Read each sentence and decide where the commas belong.
She lost her bucket her spade and her towel on the way to the beach.
She, lost her, bucket, her spade and her towel on the way to the beach.
She lost her bucket, her spade, and her towel, on the way to the beach.
She lost her bucket her spade, and her towel on the way to the beach.
She lost her bucket, her spade and her towel on the way to the beach.
Many people don't know where to put commas, so play our two quizzes on commas until you feel confident.
9 .
Read each sentence and decide where the commas belong.
I bought a new pencil rubber ruler and glue stick.
I bought a new pencil, rubber, ruler, and glue stick.
I bought a new pencil, rubber, ruler and glue stick.
I bought, a new, pencil rubber, ruler and glue stick.
I, bought a new pencil rubber ruler, and glue stick.
This list has four items and takes two commas.
10 .
Read each sentence and decide where the commas belong.
In the south-western United States there is very little rainfall.
In the south-western United States there is very, little rainfall.
In, the south-western, United States, there is very little rainfall.
In the south-western, United States, there is very little rainfall.
In the south-western United States, there is very little rainfall.
Some sentences won't require a comma, but most do!
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Using commas for clarity

Author:  Sheri Smith (PhD English Literature, English Teacher & Quiz Writer)

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