In order to make your writing clear, you need to use commas.
As well as using them to separate out key information, or divide up different clauses, commas can also completely change the meaning of a sentence if they're not used correctly.
Watch this video to explore how commas are used.
If the clauses make sense on their own, you don’t need to use a comma. Write the clauses as separate sentences instead.
Albert was excited about eating. He wanted to use a knife and fork.
Watch this clip of Chocolate Cake by Michael Rosen.
1. Write a sentence about chocolate cake that includes commas in a list.
For example: Michael needed flour, cocoa, sprinkles and chocolate to bake a cake.
2. Now write a sentence about chocolate cake where a comma has been used to separate two clauses.
It might help to start your sentence with a subordinating conjunction, like whenever, however, although or after.
For example: “Whenever I think of chocolate cake, my tummy rumbles!”
3. Can you write three sentences to describe Michael’s chocolate cake adventure that uses commas to add extra information (parenthesis)?
For example: Michael, who was an inquisitive ten-year-old boy, loved chocolate cake.
Top tip!
Remember, a sentence should still make sense if the parenthesis is removed.
