Working With Language
3 The Comma
Using Commas : Lists
We use commas when writing down lists. Always place a comma between the items being
listed. The only time you don’t do this is when the items are joined by ‘or’, ‘and’ or ‘but’.
e.g. a) So you want apples, pears, grapes or oranges?
b) He did his work quietly, swiftly, neatly and efficiently.
c) At the circus we saw a brown bear, a troupe of monkeys, six performing dogs
and a clown but there were no horses.
In example a) the comma is used in between the different fruit. There is no comma needed in
between grapes and oranges because there is the word ‘or’.
Try the task below to practice using commas properly.
TASK ONE
All of the following sentences contain lists. Put commas in the correct places.
1. They went down the long dusty white road to the village.
2. Rats flies mice fleas beetles and may other types of vermin lived in the barn.
3. Will you please lay the table with knives and forks cups and saucers glasses plates and
dishes and napkins.
4. Do you fancy fish and chips roast beef eggs and bacon ham with cold salad steak and
kidney pie or sausages and potato for lunch?
5. The low fast red Italian car braked skidded turned round hit the corner post and came to
rest on the grass a broken twisted blazing wreck.
6. She peered up and down north and south east and west until she spotted her tiny white
fluffy puppy waddling lazily happily and unafraid towards the broad swift torrent.
7. When the tiny harmless mouse appeared she jumped on a chair screamed loudly for help
danced from foot to foot threw her shoe at the creature and made a thoroughly disgraceful
exhibition.
8. In the contest were some who tried to sing some who danced a few who played the violin a
number who played the fool and two who had some talent.
9. She came to a stop turned slowly round stared at her pursuer and gave one long sharp
piercing scream which echoed through the dark dusty winding corridors of the ancient
decaying castle.
Using Commas: extra information
We also use commas when we put into another phrase into a sentence, which gives us extra
information. The sentence would still make sense without this extra information but it is usually
placed between commas to show that it is extra information.
e.g. Elias P. Hunk, an American, thinks England is very cold.
If we were to take out the phrase between the commas – an American – the sentence would
still make sense.
TASK TWO
Put commas around the extra information.
1. On Monday which is the last day of the holiday we are going to the Theatre Royal.
2. The play a new one by Fred Feaver is a detective thriller.
3. Roger Gripe the famous film actor plays the part of an eccentric millionaire.
4. The detective who is a most unusual character is played by Marcus Swatson.
5. Justice as always triumphs in the end when the murderer played by Eva Brittes falls into a
spin dryer.
6. The country school which blew up last week is being rebuilt in St. George’s field the site of
the former building.
7. The headmaster Mr. Wilder said that he was delighted that a new school which was much
bigger was being built.
8. The casualty list thanks to the prompt action of the fire brigade was limited to one boy with a
blistered nose.
9. The town council in a special meeting today decided to make the new school which should
be ready next year explosion-proof.
Using Commas: addressing someone
When we address a person by name or title in our writing, we put this phrase in between
commas. This also applies if we refer to them in some other way such as ‘my friends’ or ‘you
half-witted idiot’.
e.g. „Welcome, Miss Smith, to my humble home.‟
„My friends, will you help me with this?‟
„ Do not go with him, you half-witted idiot.‟
TASK ONE
Put commas in the following sentences to show the name or title of the person being
addressed.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Now Marjorie tell me the truth.
Please sir I did not do it.
I am sure you wicked child you are telling a lie.
But really I am not lying Mr. Grant.
Now everyone listen to me please.
My text dear brothers and sisters is taken from the Book of Psalms.
Dear friends I beg of you to think for a few minutes about these lines.
Working With Language
4. Speech Marks
When writing what people say, care needs to be taken that the actual words spoken by a
person are put into speech marks. This separates them from the rest of the sentence.
Using Speech marks : 1
To make sure that the actual words spoken are separate, a comma is used to divide them from
the ‘he said’ or ‘she answered’ or whatever speaking phrase is used.
e.g. John asked, “What is the longest word in English, Bill?”
“That‟s easy. Every fool knows it‟s antidisestablishmentarianism,” replied Bill.
Notice that when a person says more than one sentence, the speech marks are not closed at
the end of each one. You would not expect to see a separate bubble for each sentence in a
comic, so you don’t do it when writing speech.
TASK ONE
Put speech marks and commas in the following sentences.
1. I think you are a nasty little specimen said Monica.
2. You are no better replied Matilda.
3. You are a spiteful; little cat snapped back Monica.
4. I hate to think what you are replied Matilda.
5. Stop arguing and get on with your work roared the English teacher.
6. Now you have got us into trouble moaned Monica.
7. Well it was your fault snipped Matilda. You were the one who started it.
8. Monica. Matilda interrupted Mrs Ferris. Leave the room at once
9. The starter said get to your marks.
10. One runner shouted wait a minute.
11. The starter replied I cannot hold up the race for you.
12. The competitor yelled then hold up my shorts because the elastic has broken.
Using Speech marks : 2
When you are writing out speech between two or more people, you need to make sure that you
take a new line for each speaker. This makes it easier for the reader to follow who is saying
what.
e.g. “Can you help me?” she asked.
“Certainly, Mrs. Rodes,” replied Fred.
Remember to include all the correct punctuation.
TASK TWO
Fix the following passage so it is correct.
Good morning Mrs. Silverdale said the butcher. Good morning Mr. Rump replied Mrs.
Silverdale. And what can I do for you this morning madam asked Mr. Rump. A pound of steak
and kidney pie please answered Mrs. Silverdale. I am terribly sorry replied Mr. Rump but I sold
the last steak and kidney pie to Mr. Reed only half an hour ago. Oh no! moaned Mrs.
Silverdale. I have some friends coming for tea and I know that is their favourite. What will I do
now? Well I would recommend the chicken and leek pie Mrs. Silverdale. My wife and I had one
last night and it was delicious. Very filling. Yes that sounds very nice agreed Mrs. Silverdale. I
am sure that they will like that just as much. Thank you Mr. Rump.