Language Conventions
Using Commas
Year One
Language Conventions | Using Commas
Using Commas
Using Commas
Introductory Activity
Independent Focused Activity
Review Activity
Consolidation Activity
Assessment
Aim
• I can use commas to make sure the reader understands
precisely what I am trying to say.
Success Criteria
• I can tell when the meaning in a sentence is unclear.
• I can suggest different meanings that a sentence could have.
• I can add or remove commas to clarify the meaning of a
sentence.
Introductory Activity
Can you give the reason that commas have been used in
each of these example sentences? Discuss your thinking
with a partner.
Max had bought cheese, pears, sausage rolls and pickle, especially for
Max had bought cheese, pears, sausage rolls and pickle, especially for
the picnic
The commas. are used to separate items in a list.
the picnic.
Artem, who was only 9 years old, was a better piano player than many students
twice his age. are used to demarcate a relative clause (an added clause of extra
The commas
“I was amazed
information atbegins
that how much
with Iahad got done
relative in theThe
pronoun). day,” she said.
commas are needed
because the relative clause is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.
When they finally reached their destination, they realised he had been right all
When
along! they finally
The commas herereached their adestination,
is used after they realised
fronted subordinate he to
clause had been right
separate all
it from
along!
the main clause.
You may have already learned about
using commas in these situations:
To separate items in a list. This lesson may call on
your knowledge of
general comma use but it
is primarily about using
After a fronted adverbial or
commas to make the
fronted subordinate clause.
meaning of sentences
absolutely clear. On
some occasions a comma
To indicate extra information in a may be needed even
sentence (parenthesis). though there is no
grammatical rule that
requires it.
To demarcate relative clauses and
embedded clauses.
Sometimes after direct
speech.
Sometimes a comma can make a huge difference to the
meaning of a sentence. Consider these two
interpretations…
Lower, Lower
please! please!
Independent Focused
Activity
Sentence Draw Activity Sheet
Can you see how the meaning of some sentences can
depend on punctuation?
Use the drawings to interpret these sentences literally –
draw exactly what they say.
Review Activity
Adding Commas Activity Sheet
Can you decide for yourself if a sentence is unclear or not?
Read these sentences carefully and add commas if you
think they are needed to make the meaning clearer.
Consolidation Activity
Make Two Meanings Activity Sheet
Experience the power of
punctuation by altering the
meaning of these sentences
armed only with commas!
Assessment
Assessment Activity
Can you demonstrate your ability to use commas to
make the meaning of sentences clearer and decide
whether sentences can mean more than one thing or
not.
Work on your own to complete the Using Commas Mini
Test Activity Sheet.
Application Activity
Can you apply what you have learned about using commas to
make the meaning clearer within a paragraph and are you able
to dream up some sentences of your own which could mean
more than one thing?
Work on your own to complete the Application Activity Sheet.
Aim
• I can use commas to make sure the reader understands
precisely what I am trying to say.
Success Criteria
• I can tell when the meaning in a sentence is unclear.
• I can suggest different meanings a sentence could have.
• I can add or remove commas to clarify the meaning of a
sentence.