Sentence Punctuation

1
Sentence Punctuation

• Lets look at the function and use of commas,
  brackets and dashes

2
Commas

• Youll sometimes need to use a comma to keep the
  meaning of the sentence nice and clear. Commas
  divide the different bits of a sentence, and let
  you know that theres a new bit coming.
• Sentences can be confusing if they dont have the
  commas in the right places.
• Look at this sentence
• Standing beside the giant Lucy looked very small
• It doesnt make a lot of sense and it makes you
  think that Lucy was a giant. But if we add a
  comma
• Standing beside the giant, Lucy looked very small
• The comma makes the meaning more clear.

3
Commas separate Clauses

• Commas separate main clauses from dependent
  clauses in a complex sentence.
• When the storm was over, Nathan and Lauren went
  home.
• When the storm was over is a dependant clause.
  It does not make sense on its own.
• Nathan and Lauren went home is the main clause
  in the sentence. If you took away the other
  clause, this would still make sense.
• Without the comma, the sentence would start When
  the storm was over Nathan and Lauren which
  gives you the wrong idea. It makes you think of a
  storm right over their heads, rather than that a
  storm that had finished.

4

• So when you write, think carefully about the
  boundaries between the different parts of your
  sentence. You need to put commas in to make the
  meaning clear to whoevers reading what you have
  written.

5
Brackets separate text from the Main Sentence

• Brackets are used to bring something extra into a
  sentence. The extra something can be an
  explanation, an interruption, or something that
  occurred to the narrator as an afterthought.
  Brackets are always used in pairs. They go around
  the extra words to keep them separate.
• Matthew and Johnathan (the twins) have just
  learnt jujitsu so dont mess with them!

6
Dashes and Commas can be used like brackets

• You can use commas like brackets to separate off
  extra information in a sentence.
• Stilton is, I believe, the finest cheese in the
  world.
• Stilton, in my opinion, smells like grandads
  pungent socks!
• Which are the main clauses here?

7
Dashes can be used instead of brackets. You dont
have to use dashes in pairs. You can use a single
dash to mark a pause in a sentence or to show
where a list is about to begin.

• Callum took his two ferrets their names were
  Jamie and Alex for a walk.
• I peered into the shed and their on the shelf was
  Kayleighs missing violin.
• I like all kinds of fish cod, haddock, plaice,
  goldfish.
• Can you explain the function of the dashes in
  these sentences?