What is wrong with the following sentence?
I love cooking my family and my dog.
Well, unless you really mean that you cook your family and your dog, this sentence is missing a comma. Without that comma, the meaning of the sentence changes completely and could cause some very unfortunate misunderstandings.
Introduction to commas
There are three main purposes for commas:
A comma helps to make meaning clear by separating words, phrases or clauses in a sentence.
Commas are used to separate clauses, coordinate adjectives and items in a list.
Commas are also used to introduce direct speech.
For such a little punctuation mark, commas do a lot of work and have a number of different jobs.
Video about why commas are useful
A professional drone instructor explains why commas are important to his work
My name's Ben and I'm a professional Drone Instructor.
I'll be completely honest, English wasn't my favourite subject.It's only because I couldn't really see the real-world applications of a lot of the things we were learning in the classroom.
After I left school I joined the military and I spent the next 13 years in the British Army.
As a professional Drone Instructor, I travel the country and deliver training courses to individuals and organisations who want to use their drones in a commercial capacity.
Then they're left to their own devices to produce an operations manual.Once this document is complete, they send it in to us for a check.
When we're checking an operations manual, we look out for missing commas or commas used incorrectly.It's really important because the information that's contained within the document needs to be factually accurate, and a missing comma can entirely change the meaning of a sentence.
The very worst-case scenario of the misuse of a comma could result in a dangerous operation.
One of the worst scenarios that I've seen is someone writing in a document:It should have read:The way the information is presented implies you can fly around an airport providing there are no crowds there.
This is simply not true, and it is in fact dangerous.
Commas and lists
Commas are used to separate items in a list:
I play netball, basketball, hockey and football.
Notice that each item in the list is separated with a comma apart from the last two where the conjunction 'and' has been used. 'And' is used at the end of a list to show the reader that the item after the 'and' is the final item in the list.
Commas and adjectives
Commas can also be used to separate Two or more adjectives which work together to describe the same noun or pronoun.. We can describe A word which describes a noun or pronoun. as coordinate when the order is not important. They can be rearranged in front of a An object, person or place.:
She lifted the heavy, dusty book from the shelf.
Could also be written:
She lifted the dusty, heavy book from the shelf.
Locate the missing comma
Commas and clauses
Commas are used to separate some types of A group of words which contains a subject and a verb. in a sentence.
A clause which does not make sense on its own but functions to add extra information to an independent clause. add extra detail to the main idea in a sentence and need a comma.
The team, preparing for their next game**,** were training outside.
Unhappy about his result**,** Jamie resolved to try harder next time.
A group of words, containing a subject and verb which makes sense on its own. that are joined by coordinating conjunctions - and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet - also need a comma before the conjunction.
Malik opened the door**, and** Helen was waiting inside.
Where would the commas go in these sentences?
- My sister who is 13 has started to learn karate.
- Early in the morning the birds sing outside my bedroom window.
- Ciara arrived at the station on time but the train was running late.
- My sister, who is 13, has started to learn karate.
- Early in the morning, the birds sing outside my bedroom window.
- Ciara arrived at the station on time, but the train was running late.
Commas and direct speech
Commas are used to punctuate A sentence where the exact words which are spoken has been written in speech marks. by separating the A reporting clause tells the reader who is speaking. and 'introducing' the speech:
The director shouted**,** "Action!"
You also need a comma if the sentence continues after the speech:
The director shouted**,** "Action", and the actors began the scene.
Find out more about how to structure and punctuate direct speech.
Place the commas in direct speech
Test your knowledge
Place the commas
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