Punctuation
By the end of this chapter you will be able to
- Put inverted commas round the exact words someone says, and keep the reporting clause outside them
- Put the comma, question mark or exclamation mark inside the closing inverted commas
- Put a comma after a fronted adverbial at the start of a sentence
- Use commas between the items in a list, and and before the last item
- Use an apostrophe for a short form, such as don't, and for the owner of one thing, such as the dog's bone
- Put the apostrophe in the right place for more than one owner, such as the girls' rooms
You should already know
- Capital letters, full stops, question marks and exclamation marks (Year 2)
- Apostrophes for short forms and for one owner (Year 2)
- Clauses, conjunctions and fronted adverbials (Chapter 4)
Where this leads
- Writing dialogue and direct speech in stories (Chapter 10)
- Paragraphs, and the present perfect form of verbs (Chapter 6)
- Proof-reading for spelling and punctuation (Chapter 11)
National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 English, Year 3. Content: Use inverted commas and other punctuation to show the words that are spoken (direct speech), with the reporting clause, Use the term inverted commas (or speech marks) for direct speech, Use commas after fronted adverbials, Use commas to separate the items in a list, Use an apostrophe for contraction, and the possessive apostrophe with a singular owner, Use the possessive apostrophe with plural owners, such as girls' rooms and children's toys, Write from memory a simple sentence that is read aloud, with the punctuation taught so far, Use the terms inverted commas, apostrophe and comma.
Exercise P Do you remember?
Method. Count the verbs. Each clause has one verb.
- Find the verbs. Each clause has one verb.smiled, came
- Count the clauses. Two verbs means two clauses.2 clauses
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Smiled and came are the two verbs. ✓
Watch out. A clause needs a verb.
Method. An adverb can show time, and it can start a sentence.
- Look at each word. Later tells us when we went home.Later: time
- Choose the adverb. Later is the adverb of time.Later
- Write the answer. Later
Check. Later tells when. ✓
Watch out. Adverbs of time tell us when something happens.
Method. The prefix un- means not.
- Start with the word. The root word is kind.kind
- Add the prefix. Un- means not, so the new word means not kind.un + kind = unkind
- Write the answer. unkind
Check. Unkind means not kind. ✓
Watch out. Unkind is one word, with no hyphen.
Method. A determiner comes before a noun.
- Look at the word before dog. The comes before the noun dog.the dog
- Name the word class. A word that comes before a noun is a determiner.determiner
- Write the answer. determiner
Check. The dog: the is a determiner. ✓
Watch out. Determiners include the, a, an, my and every.
Method. A conjunction joins two main clauses.
- Look for a joining word. So joins two clauses: Priya was wet and she changed.so
- Check the two parts. Each part has its own verb, so both are main clauses.was, changed
- Write the answer. so
Check. So joins the two parts. ✓
Watch out. So introduces the result of the first clause.
Inverted commas for spoken words
When we write the exact words that someone says, we use direct speech. The spoken words go inside inverted commas, which are also called speech marks.
Put one mark before the first spoken word and one mark after the last spoken word. If the spoken words start a sentence, the first word has a capital letter.
The words that tell us who is speaking, such as said Mia, are the reporting clause. They stay outside the inverted commas.
| Part of the sentence | What it is | Example |
|---|---|---|
| spoken words | the exact words, inside the inverted commas | "Hello" |
| reporting clause | who speaks, outside the inverted commas | said Mia |
| end mark | comma, question mark or exclamation mark, inside the closing inverted commas | "Hello," or "Hi!" |
Key ideas
- Inverted commas (speech marks) go round the exact words that are spoken.
- If the spoken words start a sentence, the first word has a capital letter.
- The reporting clause tells who spoke, and it sits outside the inverted commas.
- The comma, question mark or exclamation mark goes inside the closing inverted commas.
Method. Put the spoken words in inverted commas, then the reporting clause after them.
- Find the spoken words. These are the words that are said. They go inside the inverted commas."Hello"
- Put the end mark inside the closing inverted commas. The comma belongs to the spoken words, so it goes before the closing inverted commas."Hello,"
- Find the reporting clause. It tells us who spoke. It sits outside the inverted commas.said Mia
- Finish with a full stop. The whole sentence is a statement, so it ends with a full stop after the reporting clause."Hello," said Mia.
- Write the answer. "Hello," said Mia.
Check. Read it aloud: only the spoken words are inside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. The comma, question mark or exclamation mark goes inside the closing inverted commas, not after them.
Method. Write the reporting clause, a comma, then the spoken words in inverted commas.
- Find the reporting clause. It tells us who speaks, and it comes first.Dad says
- Put a comma after the reporting clause. A comma separates the reporting clause from the spoken words.Dad says,
- Put inverted commas round the spoken words. The opening inverted commas come before the first spoken word."Time for tea."
- Keep the end mark inside. The full stop goes inside the closing inverted commas, so no full stop comes after them.Dad says, "Time for tea."
- Write the answer. Dad says, "Time for tea."
Check. Read it aloud: only the spoken words are inside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. Do not add a full stop after the closing inverted commas when the end mark is already inside them.
Method. Look at the words inside the inverted commas.
- Find the inverted commas. The words inside them are the spoken words."Look out!" shouted Ben.
- Leave out the reporting clause and the marks. shouted Ben tells who spoke, so it is not part of the speech.Look out
- Write the answer. Look out
Check. The reporting clause (shouted Ben) is outside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. Do not include the reporting clause or the marks in your answer.
Watch out
Watch out: the inverted commas go round only the spoken words. In "Hello," said Mia. the words said Mia are outside the marks. Do not put the reporting clause inside them.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Read the sentence aloud. Ask your child: who is speaking? The reporting clause (who spoke) stays outside the marks. The words the speaker says go inside.
Exercise 5A Practice: inverted commas for spoken words
Method. Look at the words inside the inverted commas.
- Find the inverted commas. The words inside them are the spoken words."Good morning," said Ruby.
- Leave out the reporting clause and the marks. said Ruby tells who spoke, so it is not part of the speech.Good morning
- Write the answer. Good morning
Check. The reporting clause (said Ruby) is outside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. Do not include the reporting clause or the marks in your answer.
Method. Look at the words inside the inverted commas.
- Find the inverted commas. The words inside them are the spoken words.Ali asks, "Can we play now?"
- Leave out the reporting clause and the marks. Ali asks tells who spoke, so it is not part of the speech.Can we play now
- Write the answer. Can we play now
Check. The reporting clause (Ali asks) is outside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. Do not include the reporting clause or the marks in your answer.
Method. Find the words outside the inverted commas that tell who spoke.
- Find the spoken words. They are inside the inverted commas."I found a shell"
- Find the words outside the marks. The reporting clause tells who spoke.said Leo
- Write the answer. said Leo
Check. said Leo is outside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. The reporting clause is not part of the speech.
Method. The marks show the exact words that are said.
- Find the spoken words. These are the exact words that are said.the words someone says
- Find the reporting clause. It tells who spoke, and it stays outside the marks.said Mia
- Choose the answer. The inverted commas go round the spoken words.round the spoken words
- Write the answer. round the spoken words
Check. The marks never go round the reporting clause. ✓
Watch out. The reporting clause is the part that tells who spoke.
Method. These marks have two names.
- Look at the marks. They go round the exact words that are spoken." "
- Write both names. They are called inverted commas or speech marks.inverted commas, speech marks
- Write the answer. inverted commas (speech marks)
Check. Both names are correct. ✓
Watch out. The National Curriculum uses the name inverted commas. Speech marks is another name for the same marks.
Method. Put the spoken words in inverted commas, then the reporting clause after them.
- Find the spoken words. These are the words that are said. They go inside the inverted commas."We will win"
- Put the end mark inside the closing inverted commas. The comma belongs to the spoken words, so it goes before the closing inverted commas."We will win,"
- Find the reporting clause. It tells us who spoke. It sits outside the inverted commas.said the coach
- Finish with a full stop. The whole sentence is a statement, so it ends with a full stop after the reporting clause."We will win," said the coach.
- Write the answer. "We will win," said the coach.
Check. Read it aloud: only the spoken words are inside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. The comma, question mark or exclamation mark goes inside the closing inverted commas, not after them.
Method. Write the reporting clause, a comma, then the spoken words in inverted commas.
- Find the reporting clause. It tells us who speaks, and it comes first.Ruby whispers
- Put a comma after the reporting clause. A comma separates the reporting clause from the spoken words.Ruby whispers,
- Put inverted commas round the spoken words. The opening inverted commas come before the first spoken word."The cat is asleep."
- Keep the end mark inside. The full stop goes inside the closing inverted commas, so no full stop comes after them.Ruby whispers, "The cat is asleep."
- Write the answer. Ruby whispers, "The cat is asleep."
Check. Read it aloud: only the spoken words are inside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. Do not add a full stop after the closing inverted commas when the end mark is already inside them.
Method. Write the reporting clause, a comma, then the spoken words in inverted commas.
- Find the reporting clause. It tells us who speaks, and it comes first.Ali says
- Put a comma after the reporting clause. A comma separates the reporting clause from the spoken words.Ali says,
- Put inverted commas round the spoken words. The opening inverted commas come before the first spoken word."Thank you."
- Keep the end mark inside. The full stop goes inside the closing inverted commas, so no full stop comes after them.Ali says, "Thank you."
- Write the answer. Ali says, "Thank you."
Check. Read it aloud: only the spoken words are inside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. Do not add a full stop after the closing inverted commas when the end mark is already inside them.
Method. Check the first word of the spoken words.
- Look at the spoken words. Come with me starts a sentence, so it needs a capital letter.come becomes Come
- Write the correct sentence. Only the first letter changes.Mia says, "Come with me."
- Write the answer. No. The spoken words start a sentence, so they need a capital letter: Mia says, "Come with me."
Check. Read it aloud with a capital C. ✓
Watch out. Also accept: No, the first letter of the speech needs a capital letter.
Method. Look at the end of the spoken words.
- Look at the spoken words. Hello is followed by the reporting clause, so a comma goes inside the marks."Hello"
- Add the comma inside the marks. The comma goes before the closing inverted commas."Hello," said Sam.
- Write the answer. No. A comma goes inside the closing inverted commas: "Hello," said Sam.
Check. Read it aloud: "Hello," said Sam. ✓
Watch out. Also accept: No, Hello needs a comma inside the closing inverted commas.
The reporting clause: before, after or in the middle
The reporting clause can go after the spoken words, before them, or in the middle of them. Each place needs different punctuation.
| Position | Example | What to notice |
|---|---|---|
| after | "Be quiet," said Mum. | comma inside the closing inverted commas |
| before | Mum said, "Be quiet." | comma after the reporting clause; full stop inside the marks |
| middle | "Hurry," said Sam, "or we will be late." | the second part goes on from the first, so it starts with a small letter |
| after a question or exclamation | "Is it time?" asked Ruby. | the question mark replaces the comma |
If the first part of the speech ends with a question mark or exclamation mark, that mark replaces the comma. It does not need a comma as well.
Key ideas
- The reporting clause can come before, after or in the middle of the spoken words.
- A comma, question mark or exclamation mark goes inside the closing inverted commas.
- After a reporting clause at the front, put a comma before the opening inverted commas.
- If the speech is split, the second part starts with a small letter when the same sentence goes on.
Method. Split the spoken words at the reporting clause, then punctuate each part.
- Find the two parts of the speech. The reporting clause sits between the two parts of the spoken words.Hurry | or we will be late
- Put inverted commas round the first part. The first part ends with a comma inside its closing inverted commas."Hurry,"
- Find the reporting clause. It tells who spoke. It sits outside the inverted commas.said Sam
- Put inverted commas round the second part. The second part starts with a small letter, because the same sentence goes on."or we will be late."
- Write the answer. "Hurry," said Sam, "or we will be late."
Check. Read it aloud: only the spoken words are inside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. Check the end mark of the first part, which goes inside its closing inverted commas, and the capital letter of the second part.
Method. Put the spoken words in inverted commas, then the reporting clause after them.
- Find the spoken words. These are the words that are said. They go inside the inverted commas."Where are you"
- Put the end mark inside the closing inverted commas. The question mark belongs to the spoken words, so it goes before the closing inverted commas."Where are you?"
- Find the reporting clause. It tells us who spoke. It sits outside the inverted commas.asked Ben
- Finish with a full stop. The whole sentence is a statement, so it ends with a full stop after the reporting clause."Where are you?" asked Ben.
- Write the answer. "Where are you?" asked Ben.
Check. Read it aloud: only the spoken words are inside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. The comma, question mark or exclamation mark goes inside the closing inverted commas, not after them.
Method. Write the reporting clause, a comma, then the spoken words in inverted commas.
- Find the reporting clause. It tells us who speaks, and it comes first.Mum called
- Put a comma after the reporting clause. A comma separates the reporting clause from the spoken words.Mum called,
- Put inverted commas round the spoken words. The opening inverted commas come before the first spoken word."Dinner is ready!"
- Keep the end mark inside. The exclamation mark goes inside the closing inverted commas, so no full stop comes after them.Mum called, "Dinner is ready!"
- Write the answer. Mum called, "Dinner is ready!"
Check. Read it aloud: only the spoken words are inside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. Do not add a full stop after the closing inverted commas when the end mark is already inside them.
Watch out
Watch out: with a question mark or exclamation mark, do not add a comma as well. "Where are you?" asked Ben. has no comma after the question mark.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Say the sentence aloud, pausing after the reporting clause. Ask your child which mark sits inside the closing inverted commas, and whether the first part is a question, an exclamation or a statement.
Exercise 5B Practice: where the reporting clause goes
Method. Put the spoken words in inverted commas, then the reporting clause after them.
- Find the spoken words. These are the words that are said. They go inside the inverted commas."I can help"
- Put the end mark inside the closing inverted commas. The comma belongs to the spoken words, so it goes before the closing inverted commas."I can help,"
- Find the reporting clause. It tells us who spoke. It sits outside the inverted commas.said Priya
- Finish with a full stop. The whole sentence is a statement, so it ends with a full stop after the reporting clause."I can help," said Priya.
- Write the answer. "I can help," said Priya.
Check. Read it aloud: only the spoken words are inside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. The comma, question mark or exclamation mark goes inside the closing inverted commas, not after them.
Method. Write the reporting clause, a comma, then the spoken words in inverted commas.
- Find the reporting clause. It tells us who speaks, and it comes first.Ben asks
- Put a comma after the reporting clause. A comma separates the reporting clause from the spoken words.Ben asks,
- Put inverted commas round the spoken words. The opening inverted commas come before the first spoken word."Are you coming?"
- Keep the end mark inside. The question mark goes inside the closing inverted commas, so no full stop comes after them.Ben asks, "Are you coming?"
- Write the answer. Ben asks, "Are you coming?"
Check. Read it aloud: only the spoken words are inside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. Do not add a full stop after the closing inverted commas when the end mark is already inside them.
Method. Put the spoken words in inverted commas, then the reporting clause after them.
- Find the spoken words. These are the words that are said. They go inside the inverted commas."Stop"
- Put the end mark inside the closing inverted commas. The exclamation mark belongs to the spoken words, so it goes before the closing inverted commas."Stop!"
- Find the reporting clause. It tells us who spoke. It sits outside the inverted commas.shouted Sam
- Finish with a full stop. The whole sentence is a statement, so it ends with a full stop after the reporting clause."Stop!" shouted Sam.
- Write the answer. "Stop!" shouted Sam.
Check. Read it aloud: only the spoken words are inside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. The comma, question mark or exclamation mark goes inside the closing inverted commas, not after them.
Method. The comma goes inside the closing inverted commas.
- Find the end of the spoken words. The spoken words are followed by the reporting clause."We can go now"
- Add the comma inside the marks. The comma goes before the closing inverted commas."We can go now,"
- Write the answer. "We can go now," said Mum.
Check. Read it aloud with a pause after now. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes inside the closing inverted commas, not after them.
Method. Split the spoken words at the reporting clause, then punctuate each part.
- Find the two parts of the speech. The reporting clause sits between the two parts of the spoken words.Wait for me | and then we can go
- Put inverted commas round the first part. The first part ends with a comma inside its closing inverted commas."Wait for me,"
- Find the reporting clause. It tells who spoke. It sits outside the inverted commas.called Ali
- Put inverted commas round the second part. The second part starts with a small letter, because the same sentence goes on."and then we can go."
- Write the answer. "Wait for me," called Ali, "and then we can go."
Check. Read it aloud: only the spoken words are inside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. Check the end mark of the first part, which goes inside its closing inverted commas, and the capital letter of the second part.
Method. Split the spoken words at the reporting clause, then punctuate each part.
- Find the two parts of the speech. The reporting clause sits between the two parts of the spoken words.Are you ready | We must leave now
- Put inverted commas round the first part. The first part ends with a question mark inside its closing inverted commas."Are you ready?"
- Find the reporting clause. It tells who spoke. It sits outside the inverted commas.asked Dad
- Put inverted commas round the second part. The second part starts with a capital letter, because it is a new sentence."We must leave now."
- Write the answer. "Are you ready?" asked Dad, "We must leave now."
Check. Read it aloud: only the spoken words are inside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. Check the end mark of the first part, which goes inside its closing inverted commas, and the capital letter of the second part.
Method. Write the reporting clause, a comma, then the spoken words in inverted commas.
- Find the reporting clause. It tells us who speaks, and it comes first.Mum calls
- Put a comma after the reporting clause. A comma separates the reporting clause from the spoken words.Mum calls,
- Put inverted commas round the spoken words. The opening inverted commas come before the first spoken word."Tea is ready."
- Keep the end mark inside. The full stop goes inside the closing inverted commas, so no full stop comes after them.Mum calls, "Tea is ready."
- Write the answer. Mum calls, "Tea is ready."
Check. Read it aloud: only the spoken words are inside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. Do not add a full stop after the closing inverted commas when the end mark is already inside them.
Method. Look at the words before the spoken words.
- Find the reporting clause. Dad says comes before the spoken words.Dad says
- Add the comma. A comma separates the reporting clause from the spoken words.Dad says, "Tea is ready."
- Write the answer. No. A comma goes after the reporting clause: Dad says, "Tea is ready."
Check. Read it aloud with a pause after says. ✓
Watch out. Also accept: No, it needs a comma after says.
Method. Check what the spoken words do.
- Look at the spoken words. Where are you asks a question, so it needs a question mark.Where are you?
- Check the mark after the speech. The question mark replaces the full stop, and no comma follows it."Where are you?" asked Ben.
- Write the answer. No. The speech asks a question, so it ends with a question mark, and no comma comes after it: "Where are you?" asked Ben.
Check. Read it aloud with a question in your voice. ✓
Watch out. Also accept: No, a question mark is needed, not a full stop.
Method. Look at the mark before the closing inverted commas.
- Find the mark. The question mark ends the spoken words.?
- Decide whether a comma is needed. One mark is enough at the end of the speech, so the comma is left out.no comma
- Write the answer. The question mark already ends the spoken words, so a comma is not needed.
Check. One end mark is enough. ✓
Watch out. Also accept: a question mark already does the job of a comma here.
Commas after fronted adverbials
A fronted adverbial comes at the start of a sentence. It tells us when, where, why or how. It can be one word, a phrase or a clause with a verb.
When a fronted adverbial comes first, put a comma after it. The comma shows the reader where the adverbial stops and the main clause starts.
| Fronted adverbial | What it tells us | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yesterday | when | Yesterday, we made pancakes. |
| In the garden | where | In the garden, a robin sang. |
| Because of the rain | why | Because of the rain, the game stopped. |
| Slowly | how | Slowly, the tortoise crossed the road. |
Key ideas
- A fronted adverbial comes first in a sentence and tells when, where, why or how.
- Put one comma after it, before the main clause.
- A fronted adverbial can be one word, a phrase or a clause with a verb.
- An adverbial at the end of the sentence, as in Ben read a book later, does not need a comma.
Method. Put one comma straight after the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It comes first in the sentence and tells when.Later that day
- Find the verb of the main clause. The main clause has its own verb and makes sense on its own.read
- Put a comma after the fronted adverbial. The comma shows where the adverbial stops and the main clause starts.Later that day, Ben read a book.
- Write the answer. Later that day, Ben read a book.
Check. The comma comes straight after Later that day. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the adverbial, not after the verb.
Method. Put one comma straight after the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It comes first in the sentence and tells where.Outside the shop
- Find the verb of the main clause. The main clause has its own verb and makes sense on its own.was barking
- Put a comma after the fronted adverbial. The comma shows where the adverbial stops and the main clause starts.Outside the shop, a dog was barking.
- Write the answer. Outside the shop, a dog was barking.
Check. The comma comes straight after Outside the shop. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the adverbial, not after the verb.
Method. Put one comma straight after the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It comes first in the sentence and tells why.Because of the wind
- Find the verb of the main clause. The main clause has its own verb and makes sense on its own.fell
- Put a comma after the fronted adverbial. The comma shows where the adverbial stops and the main clause starts.Because of the wind, the kite fell down.
- Write the answer. Because of the wind, the kite fell down.
Check. The comma comes straight after Because of the wind. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the adverbial, not after the verb.
Watch out
Watch out: put the comma straight after the fronted adverbial: Later that day, Ben read a book. Do not put it after the name or after the verb.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Say the sentence with a pause after the first part. Ask your child where the pause is. That is where the comma goes.
Exercise 5C Practice: commas after fronted adverbials
Method. Put one comma straight after the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It comes first in the sentence and tells when.Yesterday
- Find the verb of the main clause. The main clause has its own verb and makes sense on its own.went
- Put a comma after the fronted adverbial. The comma shows where the adverbial stops and the main clause starts.Yesterday, we went to the library.
- Write the answer. Yesterday, we went to the library.
Check. The comma comes straight after Yesterday. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the adverbial, not after the verb.
Method. Put one comma straight after the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It comes first in the sentence and tells when.Every Tuesday
- Find the verb of the main clause. The main clause has its own verb and makes sense on its own.swims
- Put a comma after the fronted adverbial. The comma shows where the adverbial stops and the main clause starts.Every Tuesday, Mia swims at the pool.
- Write the answer. Every Tuesday, Mia swims at the pool.
Check. The comma comes straight after Every Tuesday. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the adverbial, not after the verb.
Method. Put one comma straight after the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It comes first in the sentence and tells how.Quietly
- Find the verb of the main clause. The main clause has its own verb and makes sense on its own.opened
- Put a comma after the fronted adverbial. The comma shows where the adverbial stops and the main clause starts.Quietly, Ella opened the door.
- Write the answer. Quietly, Ella opened the door.
Check. The comma comes straight after Quietly. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the adverbial, not after the verb.
Method. Put one comma straight after the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It comes first in the sentence and tells where.Under the tree
- Find the verb of the main clause. The main clause has its own verb and makes sense on its own.was sleeping
- Put a comma after the fronted adverbial. The comma shows where the adverbial stops and the main clause starts.Under the tree, a hedgehog was sleeping.
- Write the answer. Under the tree, a hedgehog was sleeping.
Check. The comma comes straight after Under the tree. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the adverbial, not after the verb.
Method. Put one comma straight after the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It comes first in the sentence and tells when.Suddenly
- Find the verb of the main clause. The main clause has its own verb and makes sense on its own.went
- Put a comma after the fronted adverbial. The comma shows where the adverbial stops and the main clause starts.Suddenly, the lights went out.
- Write the answer. Suddenly, the lights went out.
Check. The comma comes straight after Suddenly. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the adverbial, not after the verb.
Method. The fronted adverbial comes first and has no verb in it.
- Read the start of the sentence. The words before the comma come first in the sentence.At the end of the day
- Check for a verb. There is no verb in this phrase. The verb went belongs to the main clause.went: main clause
- Write the answer. At the end of the day
Check. The phrase tells when the children went home. ✓
Watch out. A phrase with no verb is a fronted adverbial, not a clause.
Method. Put a comma after the fronted adverbial On Saturday.
- Find the fronted adverbial. On Saturday tells when, and it comes first.On Saturday
- Add the comma. The comma goes straight after Saturday.On Saturday, Dad took us to the zoo.
- Write the answer. On Saturday, Dad took us to the zoo.
Check. Read it aloud with a pause after Saturday. ✓
Watch out. Keep the capital letter of Dad. It is a name.
Method. Put one comma straight after the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It comes first in the sentence and tells when.Before the match
- Find the verb of the main clause. The main clause has its own verb and makes sense on its own.had
- Put a comma after the fronted adverbial. The comma shows where the adverbial stops and the main clause starts.Before the match, the team had a drink.
- Write the answer. Before the match, the team had a drink.
Check. The comma comes straight after Before the match. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the adverbial, not after the verb.
Method. Look at the start of the sentence.
- Find the fronted adverbial. Last night tells when, and it comes first.Last night
- Add the comma. A comma goes after the fronted adverbial.Last night, Sam heard a loud bang.
- Write the answer. No. The fronted adverbial Last night needs a comma after it: Last night, Sam heard a loud bang.
Check. The comma shows where the adverbial stops. ✓
Watch out. Also accept: No, a comma is needed after Last night.
Method. Check where the adverbial comes in the sentence.
- Find later. Later is at the end of the sentence.Ben read a book later.
- Decide whether it is fronted. Only an adverbial at the start of a sentence needs a comma after it.not fronted: no comma
- Write the answer. No. Later comes at the end of the sentence, not at the start, so it is not a fronted adverbial and it does not need a comma.
Check. Read the sentence aloud: no pause is needed before later. ✓
Watch out. The same word can be fronted in one sentence and at the end in another.
Commas in a list (revision)
A list names three or more things in one sentence. Put a comma (,) between the items. Put and before the last item, with no comma before it.
This is revision from Year 2, but you need it for the rest of this chapter. Two things are joined by and only, with no comma.
| Number of things | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| two | X and Y | bread and jam |
| three | X, Y and Z | bread, jam and milk |
| four | X, Y, Z and W | bread, jam, milk and eggs |
Key ideas
- A list has three or more things.
- Put a comma between the items, but not before and.
- Put and before the last item.
- Two things are joined by and only, with no comma.
Method. Put a comma after each item, except the last two. Put and before the last item.
- Count the things in the list. There are 4 things. The word and sits before the last one.eggs, milk, flour and butter
- Put a comma between the items. Put a comma after each item except the last two. Do not put a comma before and.We need eggs, milk, flour and butter.
- Write the answer. We need eggs, milk, flour and butter.
Check. There are 2 commas, one after each item except the last two. ✓
Watch out. Do not put a comma before and. Two things are joined by and only.
Method. Count the items, then take away the last two. The last two are joined by and.
- Count the items. Each thing in the list is one item.4 items
- Count the commas. A comma goes after each item except the last two. The last item comes after and.4 - 2 = 2 commas
- Write the answer. 2
Check. The list is: Ali packed a hat, gloves, a scarf and a torch. ✓
Watch out. Commas go between the items, not before and.
Method. Put a comma after each item, except the last two. Put and before the last item.
- Count the things in the list. There are 3 things. The word and sits before the last one.a pen, a ruler and a rubber
- Put a comma between the items. Put a comma after each item except the last two. Do not put a comma before and.The bag has a pen, a ruler and a rubber.
- Write the answer. The bag has a pen, a ruler and a rubber.
Check. There are 1 commas, one after each item except the last two. ✓
Watch out. Do not put a comma before and. Two things are joined by and only.
Watch out
Watch out: do not put a comma before and. We need eggs, milk and butter. has one comma after eggs. The comma after milk is not needed.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child to read the list aloud with a short pause after each item. Put the commas where the pauses are, but not before and.
Exercise 5D Practice: commas in a list
Method. Put a comma after each item, except the last two. Put and before the last item.
- Count the things in the list. There are 4 things. The word and sits before the last one.apples, pears, plums and grapes
- Put a comma between the items. Put a comma after each item except the last two. Do not put a comma before and.We bought apples, pears, plums and grapes.
- Write the answer. We bought apples, pears, plums and grapes.
Check. There are 2 commas, one after each item except the last two. ✓
Watch out. Do not put a comma before and. Two things are joined by and only.
Method. Count the items, then take away the last two. The last two are joined by and.
- Count the items. Each thing in the list is one item.4 items
- Count the commas. A comma goes after each item except the last two. The last item comes after and.4 - 2 = 2 commas
- Write the answer. 2
Check. The list is: Mia packed socks, a hat, a coat and gloves. ✓
Watch out. Commas go between the items, not before and.
Method. Put a comma after each item, except the last two. Put and before the last item.
- Count the things in the list. There are 4 things. The word and sits before the last one.red, blue, green and yellow
- Put a comma between the items. Put a comma after each item except the last two. Do not put a comma before and.I like red, blue, green and yellow.
- Write the answer. I like red, blue, green and yellow.
Check. There are 2 commas, one after each item except the last two. ✓
Watch out. Do not put a comma before and. Two things are joined by and only.
Method. Put a comma after each item, except the last two. Put and before the last item.
- Count the things in the list. There are 4 things. The word and sits before the last one.bread, cheese, apples and pears
- Put a comma between the items. Put a comma after each item except the last two. Do not put a comma before and.The shop sells bread, cheese, apples and pears.
- Write the answer. The shop sells bread, cheese, apples and pears.
Check. There are 2 commas, one after each item except the last two. ✓
Watch out. Do not put a comma before and. Two things are joined by and only.
Method. Count the items, then take away the last two. The last two are joined by and.
- Count the items. Each thing in the list is one item.3 items
- Count the commas. A comma goes after each item except the last two. The last item comes after and.3 - 2 = 1 commas
- Write the answer. 1
Check. The list is: Sam likes football, swimming and chess. ✓
Watch out. Commas go between the items, not before and.
Method. Count the things in the sentence.
- Count the things. There are two names, Ben and Mia, joined by and.Ben and Mia
- Decide if a comma is needed. Two things joined by and need no comma.no comma
- Write the answer. No. Only two names are joined by and, so no comma is needed.
Check. Two things joined by and need no comma. ✓
Watch out. A comma is for a list of three or more things.
Method. Put a comma after each item, except the last two. Put and before the last item.
- Count the things in the list. There are 3 things. The word and sits before the last one.a tent, a torch and a map
- Put a comma between the items. Put a comma after each item except the last two. Do not put a comma before and.We packed a tent, a torch and a map.
- Write the answer. We packed a tent, a torch and a map.
Check. There are 1 commas, one after each item except the last two. ✓
Watch out. Do not put a comma before and. Two things are joined by and only.
Method. Put a comma after each item, except the last two. Put and before the last item.
- Count the things in the list. There are 4 things. The word and sits before the last one.red shoes, blue socks, a green cap and a yellow scarf
- Put a comma between the items. Put a comma after each item except the last two. Do not put a comma before and.Tom has red shoes, blue socks, a green cap and a yellow scarf.
- Write the answer. Tom has red shoes, blue socks, a green cap and a yellow scarf.
Check. There are 2 commas, one after each item except the last two. ✓
Watch out. Do not put a comma before and. Two things are joined by and only.
Method. Put a comma after each item, except the last two. Put and before the last item.
- Count the things in the list. There are 4 things. The word and sits before the last one.a cow, a sheep, a goat and a pig
- Put a comma between the items. Put a comma after each item except the last two. Do not put a comma before and.We saw a cow, a sheep, a goat and a pig.
- Write the answer. We saw a cow, a sheep, a goat and a pig.
Check. There are 2 commas, one after each item except the last two. ✓
Watch out. Do not put a comma before and. Two things are joined by and only.
Method. Put a comma after each item, except the last two. Put and before the last item.
- Count the things in the list. There are 3 things. The word and sits before the last one.a red hat, blue shorts and white socks
- Put a comma between the items. Put a comma after each item except the last two. Do not put a comma before and.Tom wore a red hat, blue shorts and white socks.
- Write the answer. Tom wore a red hat, blue shorts and white socks.
Check. There are 1 commas, one after each item except the last two. ✓
Watch out. Do not put a comma before and. Two things are joined by and only.
Method. Count the commas for each list.
- Look at three things. Three things: one comma after the first item, and before the last.a, b and c: 1 comma
- Look at four things. Four things: a comma after the first two items, and before the last.a, b, c and d: 2 commas
- Write the answer. No. A list of three needs one comma, and a list of four needs two. There is never a comma before and.
Check. Check by reading each list aloud. ✓
Watch out. Also accept: No, three things need one comma and four things need two.
Apostrophes for contraction
A contraction is a short form of two words. An apostrophe (') shows where letters have been left out.
The apostrophe takes the place of the missing letter. Do not becomes don't, because the o in not is left out.
| Two words | Short form | Letter left out |
|---|---|---|
| do not | don't | o |
| cannot | can't | no |
| will not | won't | special spelling |
| I am | I'm | a |
| it is | it's | i |
| let us | let's | u |
Key ideas
- An apostrophe shows where letters are left out.
- Don't is short for do not, and I'm is short for I am.
- Won't is the short form of will not. Its spelling is special, so learn it.
- It's means it is. Its, with no apostrophe, shows that something belongs to it, as in its tail.
Method. Join the two words, leave out the missing letters, and put an apostrophe in their place.
- Find the two words. The two words can be joined into one short form.do not
- Find the letter that is left out. The letter o is left out, so the apostrophe takes its place.o
- Write the short form with an apostrophe. The apostrophe shows where the letters were.don't
- Write the answer. don't
Check. Say it aloud: don't. ✓
Watch out. The apostrophe goes where the letter was, not at the end of the word.
Method. Join the two words, leave out the missing letters, and put an apostrophe in their place.
- Find the two words. The two words can be joined into one short form.let us
- Find the letter that is left out. The letter u is left out, so the apostrophe takes its place.u
- Write the short form with an apostrophe. The apostrophe shows where the letters were.let's
- Write the answer. let's
Check. Say it aloud: let's. ✓
Watch out. The apostrophe goes where the letter was, not at the end of the word.
Method. Join the two words, leave out the missing letters, and put an apostrophe in their place.
- Find the two words. The two words can be joined into one short form.I am
- Find the letter that is left out. The letter a is left out, so the apostrophe takes its place.a
- Write the short form with an apostrophe. The apostrophe shows where the letters were.I'm
- Write the answer. I'm
Check. Say it aloud: I'm. ✓
Watch out. The apostrophe goes where the letter was, not at the end of the word.
Watch out
Watch out: it's means it is. Its with no apostrophe shows that something belongs to it, as in The dog wagged its tail. Use an apostrophe only for the short form.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Say both words, then the short form: "do not, don't". Ask your child which letter has gone, and where the apostrophe sits.
Exercise 5E Practice: apostrophes for contraction
Method. Join the two words, leave out the missing letters, and put an apostrophe in their place.
- Find the two words. The two words can be joined into one short form.we are
- Find the letter that is left out. The letter a is left out, so the apostrophe takes its place.a
- Write the short form with an apostrophe. The apostrophe shows where the letters were.we're
- Write the answer. we're
Check. Say it aloud: we're. ✓
Watch out. The apostrophe goes where the letter was, not at the end of the word.
Method. Join the two words, leave out the missing letters, and put an apostrophe in their place.
- Find the two words. The two words can be joined into one short form.they are
- Find the letter that is left out. The letter a is left out, so the apostrophe takes its place.a
- Write the short form with an apostrophe. The apostrophe shows where the letters were.they're
- Write the answer. they're
Check. Say it aloud: they're. ✓
Watch out. The apostrophe goes where the letter was, not at the end of the word.
Method. Join the two words, leave out the missing letters, and put an apostrophe in their place.
- Find the two words. The two words can be joined into one short form.is not
- Find the letter that is left out. The letter o is left out, so the apostrophe takes its place.o
- Write the short form with an apostrophe. The apostrophe shows where the letters were.isn't
- Write the answer. isn't
Check. Say it aloud: isn't. ✓
Watch out. The apostrophe goes where the letter was, not at the end of the word.
Method. Join the two words, leave out the missing letters, and put an apostrophe in their place.
- Find the two words. The two words can be joined into one short form.did not
- Find the letter that is left out. The letter o is left out, so the apostrophe takes its place.o
- Write the short form with an apostrophe. The apostrophe shows where the letters were.didn't
- Write the answer. didn't
Check. Say it aloud: didn't. ✓
Watch out. The apostrophe goes where the letter was, not at the end of the word.
Method. Join the two words, leave out the missing letters, and put an apostrophe in their place.
- Find the two words. The two words can be joined into one short form.you are
- Find the letter that is left out. The letter a is left out, so the apostrophe takes its place.a
- Write the short form with an apostrophe. The apostrophe shows where the letters were.you're
- Write the answer. you're
Check. Say it aloud: you're. ✓
Watch out. The apostrophe goes where the letter was, not at the end of the word.
Method. Join the two words, leave out the missing letters, and put an apostrophe in their place.
- Find the two words. The two words can be joined into one short form.it is
- Find the letter that is left out. The letter i is left out, so the apostrophe takes its place.i
- Write the short form with an apostrophe. The apostrophe shows where the letters were.it's
- Write the answer. it's
Check. Say it aloud: it's. ✓
Watch out. The apostrophe goes where the letter was, not at the end of the word.
Method. Join the two words, leave out the missing letters, and put an apostrophe in their place.
- Find the two words. The two words can be joined into one short form.will not
- Find the letter that is left out. This one is irregular: will not becomes won't. The spelling changes, so it has to be learned.won't
- Write the short form with an apostrophe. The apostrophe shows where the letters were.won't
- Write the answer. won't
Check. Say it aloud: won't. ✓
Watch out. The apostrophe goes where the letter was, not at the end of the word.
Method. Read the gap. It means it is.
- Read the gap. The gap means it is raining.it is raining
- Choose the short form. It's is short for it is, so it needs the apostrophe.It's raining
- Write the answer. It's
Check. It's raining, so take a coat. ✓
Watch out. Its with no apostrophe does not mean it is.
Method. Lets is short for let us, so it needs an apostrophe.
- Look at Lets. Let us is shortened to let's. The u is left out.Lets = let's
- Write the sentence. Keep the capital letter and the full stop.Let's go to the park.
- Write the answer. Let's go to the park.
Check. Read it aloud: Let's go to the park. ✓
Watch out. Put the apostrophe where the u was.
Method. Look at what the word means here.
- Look at Its. Its with no apostrophe shows ownership, but here the sentence means it is.Its = it is
- Write the correct form. It's is the short form of it is.It's raining, so take a coat.
- Write the answer. No. It is means the same as it's, so write: It's raining, so take a coat.
Check. Read it aloud: It's raining. ✓
Watch out. Also accept: No, it should be It's with an apostrophe.
Apostrophes for one owner
An apostrophe can show that one owner has something. Add an apostrophe and s to the owner. The apostrophe goes before the s.
The dog's bone is the bone that belongs to one dog. Sam's hat is the hat that belongs to Sam.
| Words | Owner | With apostrophe |
|---|---|---|
| the bone of the dog | one dog | the dog's bone |
| the hat of Sam | Sam | Sam's hat |
| the book of the teacher | one teacher | the teacher's book |
| the kite of the boy | one boy | the boy's kite |
Key ideas
- An apostrophe and s show that one owner has the thing.
- The apostrophe goes before the s: the dog's bone.
- Write the owner first, then the thing.
- Do not add an apostrophe to a word that only means more than one, such as cats.
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.the dog
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the bone
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. One owner, so add apostrophe and s after the owner.the dog's bone
- Write the answer. the dog's bone
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: the dog's bone. ✓
Watch out. Put the apostrophe before the s for one owner: the dog's bone, not the dogs bone.
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.Sam
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the hat
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. One owner, so add apostrophe and s after the owner.Sam's hat
- Write the answer. Sam's hat
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: Sam's hat. ✓
Watch out. Put the apostrophe before the s for one owner: the dog's bone, not the dogs bone.
Method. Ask how many owners there are, then put the apostrophe in the right place.
- Think about how many owners there are. The meaning is: one cat.one cat
- Choose the word with the apostrophe in the right place. One owner: the apostrophe goes before the s. More than one owner that ends in s: the apostrophe goes after the s.the cat's tail
- Write the answer. the cat's tail
Check. the cat's tail shows the owner correctly. ✓
Watch out. Ask how many owners there are first.
Watch out
Watch out: cats means more than one cat. The cat's tail means the tail of one cat. Ask how many owners there are before you add the apostrophe.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: whose is it? Let your child answer with the owner, then add 's: the dog's bone.
Exercise 5F Practice: an apostrophe for one owner
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.the cat
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the tail
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. One owner, so add apostrophe and s after the owner.the cat's tail
- Write the answer. the cat's tail
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: the cat's tail. ✓
Watch out. Put the apostrophe before the s for one owner: the dog's bone, not the dogs bone.
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.the boy
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the coat
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. One owner, so add apostrophe and s after the owner.the boy's coat
- Write the answer. the boy's coat
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: the boy's coat. ✓
Watch out. Put the apostrophe before the s for one owner: the dog's bone, not the dogs bone.
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.Ruby
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the ball
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. One owner, so add apostrophe and s after the owner.Ruby's ball
- Write the answer. Ruby's ball
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: Ruby's ball. ✓
Watch out. Put the apostrophe before the s for one owner: the dog's bone, not the dogs bone.
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.Mum
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the bike
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. One owner, so add apostrophe and s after the owner.Mum's bike
- Write the answer. Mum's bike
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: Mum's bike. ✓
Watch out. Put the apostrophe before the s for one owner: the dog's bone, not the dogs bone.
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.the bird
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the nest
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. One owner, so add apostrophe and s after the owner.the bird's nest
- Write the answer. the bird's nest
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: the bird's nest. ✓
Watch out. Put the apostrophe before the s for one owner: the dog's bone, not the dogs bone.
Method. Ask how many owners there are, then put the apostrophe in the right place.
- Think about how many owners there are. The meaning is: one fox.one fox
- Choose the word with the apostrophe in the right place. One owner: the apostrophe goes before the s. More than one owner that ends in s: the apostrophe goes after the s.the fox's den
- Write the answer. the fox's den
Check. the fox's den shows the owner correctly. ✓
Watch out. Ask how many owners there are first.
Method. One dog owns the ball, so the owner needs an apostrophe and s.
- Find the owner. One dog owns the ball.the dog
- Add the apostrophe. One owner: the apostrophe goes before the s.dog's ball
- Check the capital letter. The sentence starts with a capital letter.The dog's ball was red.
- Write the answer. The dog's ball was red.
Check. One dog owns the ball. ✓
Watch out. Write dog's for one dog, and dogs for more than one.
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.Leo
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the hat
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. One owner, so add apostrophe and s after the owner.Leo's hat
- Write the answer. Leo's hat
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: Leo's hat. ✓
Watch out. Put the apostrophe before the s for one owner: the dog's bone, not the dogs bone.
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.the baby
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the toy
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. One owner, so add apostrophe and s after the owner.the baby's toy
- Write the answer. the baby's toy
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: the baby's toy. ✓
Watch out. Put the apostrophe before the s for one owner: the dog's bone, not the dogs bone.
Method. One fisherman owns the boat.
- Find the owner. One fisherman owns the boat.the fisherman
- Write the owner with an apostrophe and s. The owner is one person, so add apostrophe and s.fisherman's boat
- Add a capital letter at the start. The sentence starts with a capital letter.The fisherman's boat is green.
- Write the answer. The fisherman's boat is green.
Check. Read it aloud: The fisherman's boat is green. ✓
Watch out. Keep the owner first, then the thing.
Method. Check whether one owner has the book.
- Find the owner. Ruby owns the book, and she is one girl.Ruby
- Check the apostrophe. One owner needs an apostrophe and s.Ruby's book
- Write the answer. Yes. One girl, Ruby, owns the book, so her name needs an apostrophe and s.
Check. Ruby's book: one owner. ✓
Watch out. Also accept: Yes, Ruby is one owner, so the apostrophe and s are right.
Apostrophes for more than one owner
Sometimes the owner is more than one person or animal. Then the apostrophe goes in a different place.
If the plural owner ends in s, the apostrophe goes after the s: the girls' rooms means the rooms of more than one girl.
If the plural owner does not end in s, add apostrophe and s: the children's toys.
| Owner | One owner | More than one owner |
|---|---|---|
| boy / boys | the boy's bike | the boys' bikes |
| child / children | the child's toy | the children's toys |
Key ideas
- For a plural owner that ends in s, put the apostrophe after the s.
- For a plural owner that does not end in s, add apostrophe and s.
- Check how many owners there are before you choose where the apostrophe goes.
- Girls' and girl's sound the same when read aloud, so the spelling shows how many owners there are.
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.the girls
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the rooms
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. More than one owner, and the owner word ends in s, so the apostrophe goes after the s.the girls' rooms
- Write the answer. the girls' rooms
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: the girls' rooms. ✓
Watch out. Put the owner first. Ask how many owners there are before you choose the apostrophe.
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.the children
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the toys
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. More than one owner, and the owner word does not end in s, so add apostrophe and s.the children's toys
- Write the answer. the children's toys
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: the children's toys. ✓
Watch out. Put the owner first. Ask how many owners there are before you choose the apostrophe.
Method. Ask how many owners there are, then put the apostrophe in the right place.
- Think about how many owners there are. The meaning is: two boys.two boys
- Choose the word with the apostrophe in the right place. One owner: the apostrophe goes before the s. More than one owner that ends in s: the apostrophe goes after the s.the boys' bikes
- Write the answer. the boys' bikes
Check. the boys' bikes shows the owner correctly. ✓
Watch out. Ask how many owners there are first.
Watch out
Watch out: the boy's bikes means the bikes of one boy. The boys' bikes means the bikes of more than one boy. Count the owners first.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: how many owners are there? If there is more than one, does the owner word end in s? If it does, the apostrophe goes after the s.
For the dictation question, read these words aloud twice, with a pause where the marks go: put on your coats, said Dad, because it is cold. Your child writes the sentence from memory, with inverted commas and all the other punctuation.
Exercise 5G Practice: an apostrophe for more than one owner
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.the men
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the hats
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. More than one owner, and the owner word does not end in s, so add apostrophe and s.the men's hats
- Write the answer. the men's hats
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: the men's hats. ✓
Watch out. Put the owner first. Ask how many owners there are before you choose the apostrophe.
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.the dogs
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the bowls
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. More than one owner, and the owner word ends in s, so the apostrophe goes after the s.the dogs' bowls
- Write the answer. the dogs' bowls
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: the dogs' bowls. ✓
Watch out. Put the owner first. Ask how many owners there are before you choose the apostrophe.
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.the children
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the boots
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. More than one owner, and the owner word does not end in s, so add apostrophe and s.the children's boots
- Write the answer. the children's boots
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: the children's boots. ✓
Watch out. Put the owner first. Ask how many owners there are before you choose the apostrophe.
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.the boys
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the coats
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. More than one owner, and the owner word ends in s, so the apostrophe goes after the s.the boys' coats
- Write the answer. the boys' coats
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: the boys' coats. ✓
Watch out. Put the owner first. Ask how many owners there are before you choose the apostrophe.
Method. Ask how many owners there are, then put the apostrophe in the right place.
- Think about how many owners there are. The meaning is: more than one girl.more than one girl
- Choose the word with the apostrophe in the right place. One owner: the apostrophe goes before the s. More than one owner that ends in s: the apostrophe goes after the s.the girls' bags
- Write the answer. the girls' bags
Check. the girls' bags shows the owner correctly. ✓
Watch out. Ask how many owners there are first.
Method. More than one baby owns the toys, and babies ends in s.
- Find the owners. More than one baby owns the toys.the babies
- Add the apostrophe. The plural owner ends in s, so the apostrophe goes after the s.babies' toys
- Check the capital letter. The sentence starts with a capital letter.The babies' toys are in the cot.
- Write the answer. The babies' toys are in the cot.
Check. More than one baby owns the toys. ✓
Watch out. Do not write babies's. The apostrophe comes after the s.
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.the boys
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the lunches
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. More than one owner, and the owner word ends in s, so the apostrophe goes after the s.the boys' lunches
- Write the answer. the boys' lunches
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: the boys' lunches. ✓
Watch out. Put the owner first. Ask how many owners there are before you choose the apostrophe.
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.the man
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the coat
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. One owner, so add apostrophe and s after the owner.the man's coat
- Write the answer. the man's coat
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: the man's coat. ✓
Watch out. Put the apostrophe before the s for one owner: the dog's bone, not the dogs bone.
Method. Hold the spoken words in your memory, and notice where the pauses are.
- Write the spoken words. The first part of the speech is Put on your coats. The second part is because it is cold.Put on your coats / because it is cold
- Add the reporting clause. Said Dad sits between the two parts of the speech.said Dad
- Add the punctuation. Inverted commas go round each part. A comma goes inside the first part's closing marks."Put on your coats," said Dad, "because it is cold."
- Write the answer. "Put on your coats," said Dad, "because it is cold."
Check. Read it aloud and check the commas and inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. Grown-up: read the sentence aloud twice, pausing after each comma.
Method. One girl owns the dress.
- Find the owner. One girl owns the dress.the girl
- Add the apostrophe and s. One owner: the apostrophe goes before the s.girl's dress
- Add a capital letter. The sentence starts with a capital letter.The girl's dress is pink.
- Write the answer. The girl's dress is pink.
Check. One girl owns the dress. ✓
Watch out. Keep the owner first, then the thing.
Method. Look at the end of each plural owner.
- Look at girls. Girls ends in s, so the apostrophe goes after the s.girls' rooms
- Look at children. Children does not end in s, so we add apostrophe and s.children's toys
- Write the answer. Girls is a plural that ends in s, so the apostrophe goes after the s. Children does not end in s, so we add apostrophe and s.
Check. Look at the plural owner each time. ✓
Watch out. Also accept: an answer that says the plural girls ends in s and children does not.
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| Direct speech | The exact words a speaker says, in inverted commas (speech marks): "Hello," said Mia. |
| Reporting clause | Tells who speaks and sits outside the inverted commas: said Mia. It can come before, after or in the middle. |
| End mark in speech | The comma, question mark or exclamation mark goes inside the closing inverted commas. |
| Fronted adverbial | Comes first and tells when, where, why or how. Put a comma after it: Later that day, Ben read a book. |
| Commas in a list | Put a comma between the items, but not before and: bread, jam and milk. |
| Contraction | An apostrophe shows missing letters: don't, can't, won't, it's, I'm. |
| One owner | Apostrophe and s, before the s: the dog's bone, Sam's hat. |
| More than one owner | Apostrophe after the s when the owner ends in s: the girls' rooms. Apostrophe and s when it does not: the children's toys. |
Can you…?
- I can put inverted commas round the exact words someone says
- I can put the comma, question mark or exclamation mark inside the closing inverted commas
- I can punctuate speech when the reporting clause comes before, after or in the middle
- I can put a comma after a fronted adverbial at the start of a sentence
- I can use commas between the items in a list, and and before the last item
- I can use an apostrophe for a short form, such as don't, and for the owner of one thing
- I can put the apostrophe in the right place for more than one owner
- I can use the terms inverted commas, apostrophe and comma
Key terms
- direct speech
- the exact words a speaker says, written inside inverted commas
- inverted commas
- the marks ("") that go round direct speech; also called speech marks
- reporting clause
- the words that tell who speaks, such as said Mia
- fronted adverbial
- an adverbial at the start of a sentence, followed by a comma
- list
- three or more things in one sentence, with commas between them
- comma
- a mark (,) that separates the items in a list, or a fronted adverbial from the main clause
- apostrophe
- a mark (') that shows missing letters, as in don't, or an owner, as in Sam's hat
- contraction
- a short form of two words with letters left out, such as I'm for I am
- singular owner
- one owner: add an apostrophe and s, as in the dog's bone
- plural owner
- more than one owner: the apostrophe goes after the s if the owner ends in s, or apostrophe and s if it does not
Exercise 5Z Check-up
Method. Put the spoken words in inverted commas, then the reporting clause after them.
- Find the spoken words. These are the words that are said. They go inside the inverted commas."Hi"
- Put the end mark inside the closing inverted commas. The exclamation mark belongs to the spoken words, so it goes before the closing inverted commas."Hi!"
- Find the reporting clause. It tells us who spoke. It sits outside the inverted commas.said Sam
- Finish with a full stop. The whole sentence is a statement, so it ends with a full stop after the reporting clause."Hi!" said Sam.
- Write the answer. "Hi!" said Sam.
Check. Read it aloud: only the spoken words are inside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. The comma, question mark or exclamation mark goes inside the closing inverted commas, not after them.
Method. Write the reporting clause, a comma, then the spoken words in inverted commas.
- Find the reporting clause. It tells us who speaks, and it comes first.Mum asks
- Put a comma after the reporting clause. A comma separates the reporting clause from the spoken words.Mum asks,
- Put inverted commas round the spoken words. The opening inverted commas come before the first spoken word."Are you hungry?"
- Keep the end mark inside. The question mark goes inside the closing inverted commas, so no full stop comes after them.Mum asks, "Are you hungry?"
- Write the answer. Mum asks, "Are you hungry?"
Check. Read it aloud: only the spoken words are inside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. Do not add a full stop after the closing inverted commas when the end mark is already inside them.
Method. Split the spoken words at the reporting clause, then punctuate each part.
- Find the two parts of the speech. The reporting clause sits between the two parts of the spoken words.Wait for me | and I will be quick
- Put inverted commas round the first part. The first part ends with a comma inside its closing inverted commas."Wait for me,"
- Find the reporting clause. It tells who spoke. It sits outside the inverted commas.called Ali
- Put inverted commas round the second part. The second part starts with a small letter, because the same sentence goes on."and I will be quick."
- Write the answer. "Wait for me," called Ali, "and I will be quick."
Check. Read it aloud: only the spoken words are inside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. Check the end mark of the first part, which goes inside its closing inverted commas, and the capital letter of the second part.
Method. Put one comma straight after the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It comes first in the sentence and tells when.In the morning
- Find the verb of the main clause. The main clause has its own verb and makes sense on its own.is
- Put a comma after the fronted adverbial. The comma shows where the adverbial stops and the main clause starts.In the morning, the bus is late.
- Write the answer. In the morning, the bus is late.
Check. The comma comes straight after In the morning. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the adverbial, not after the verb.
Method. Put a comma after each item, except the last two. Put and before the last item.
- Count the things in the list. There are 4 things. The word and sits before the last one.a tent, a torch, a map and a compass
- Put a comma between the items. Put a comma after each item except the last two. Do not put a comma before and.We need a tent, a torch, a map and a compass.
- Write the answer. We need a tent, a torch, a map and a compass.
Check. There are 2 commas, one after each item except the last two. ✓
Watch out. Do not put a comma before and. Two things are joined by and only.
Method. Join the two words, leave out the missing letters, and put an apostrophe in their place.
- Find the two words. The two words can be joined into one short form.cannot
- Find the letter that is left out. The letters no are left out, so the apostrophe takes their place.no
- Write the short form with an apostrophe. The apostrophe shows where the letters were.can't
- Write the answer. can't
Check. Say it aloud: can't. ✓
Watch out. The apostrophe goes where the letter was, not at the end of the word.
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.the snail
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the shell
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. One owner, so add apostrophe and s after the owner.the snail's shell
- Write the answer. the snail's shell
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: the snail's shell. ✓
Watch out. Put the apostrophe before the s for one owner: the dog's bone, not the dogs bone.
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.the pupils
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the homework
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. More than one owner, and the owner word ends in s, so the apostrophe goes after the s.the pupils' homework
- Write the answer. the pupils' homework
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: the pupils' homework. ✓
Watch out. Put the owner first. Ask how many owners there are before you choose the apostrophe.
Method. It is cold, so the short form needs an apostrophe.
- Read Its. Its with no apostrophe means belonging to it, but here it is cold.Its = it is
- Write the short form. It's is the short form of it is.It's cold
- Write the answer. It's cold, so Mia wears her coat.
Check. Read it aloud: It's cold. ✓
Watch out. Its with no apostrophe does not mean it is.
Method. Think about what each word means.
- Its. Its shows that something belongs to it, with no apostrophe.The dog wagged its tail.
- It's. It's is short for it is, so it has an apostrophe.It's raining.
- Write the answer. Its shows that something belongs to it, as in: The dog wagged its tail. It's means it is, as in: It's raining.
Check. Both examples are correct. ✓
Watch out. Also accept any sentence that uses its for ownership and it's for it is.
Total 18 marks. Allow about 18 minutes.
Exercise 5X Practice test questions
Method. Direct speech is written in a special way.
- Look at the words. Direct speech shows the exact words that are said, in inverted commas.exact words
- Name the type. This is called direct speech.direct speech
- Write the answer. direct speech
Check. Direct speech: the exact words a speaker says. ✓
Watch out. Direct speech is written inside inverted commas.
Method. Put the spoken words in inverted commas, then the reporting clause after them.
- Find the spoken words. These are the words that are said. They go inside the inverted commas."Good night"
- Put the end mark inside the closing inverted commas. The comma belongs to the spoken words, so it goes before the closing inverted commas."Good night,"
- Find the reporting clause. It tells us who spoke. It sits outside the inverted commas.said Mum
- Finish with a full stop. The whole sentence is a statement, so it ends with a full stop after the reporting clause."Good night," said Mum.
- Write the answer. "Good night," said Mum.
Check. Read it aloud: only the spoken words are inside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. The comma, question mark or exclamation mark goes inside the closing inverted commas, not after them.
Method. Put one comma straight after the fronted adverbial.
- Find the fronted adverbial. It comes first in the sentence and tells when.Last week
- Find the verb of the main clause. The main clause has its own verb and makes sense on its own.found
- Put a comma after the fronted adverbial. The comma shows where the adverbial stops and the main clause starts.Last week, Ali found a snail.
- Write the answer. Last week, Ali found a snail.
Check. The comma comes straight after Last week. ✓
Watch out. The comma goes after the adverbial, not after the verb.
Method. Join the two words, leave out the missing letters, and put an apostrophe in their place.
- Find the two words. The two words can be joined into one short form.we have
- Find the letter that is left out. The letters ha are left out, so the apostrophe takes their place.ha
- Write the short form with an apostrophe. The apostrophe shows where the letters were.we've
- Write the answer. we've
Check. Say it aloud: we've. ✓
Watch out. The apostrophe goes where the letter was, not at the end of the word.
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.the hamster
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the cage
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. One owner, so add apostrophe and s after the owner.the hamster's cage
- Write the answer. the hamster's cage
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: the hamster's cage. ✓
Watch out. Put the apostrophe before the s for one owner: the dog's bone, not the dogs bone.
Method. Put the owner first, then the thing, and add the apostrophe to the owner.
- Find the owner. The owner is the one who has the thing.the babies
- Find the thing that is owned. The thing belongs to the owner.the toys
- Add the apostrophe to the owner. More than one owner, and the owner word ends in s, so the apostrophe goes after the s.the babies' toys
- Write the answer. the babies' toys
Check. The owner comes first, with the apostrophe: the babies' toys. ✓
Watch out. Put the owner first. Ask how many owners there are before you choose the apostrophe.
Method. Split the spoken words at the reporting clause, then punctuate each part.
- Find the two parts of the speech. The reporting clause sits between the two parts of the spoken words.Come inside | it is getting dark
- Put inverted commas round the first part. The first part ends with a comma inside its closing inverted commas."Come inside,"
- Find the reporting clause. It tells who spoke. It sits outside the inverted commas.said Mum
- Put inverted commas round the second part. The second part starts with a small letter, because the same sentence goes on."it is getting dark."
- Write the answer. "Come inside," said Mum, "it is getting dark."
Check. Read it aloud: only the spoken words are inside the inverted commas. ✓
Watch out. Check the end mark of the first part, which goes inside its closing inverted commas, and the capital letter of the second part.
Method. Put a comma after each item, except the last two. Put and before the last item.
- Count the things in the list. There are 4 things. The word and sits before the last one.eggs, milk, bread and cheese
- Put a comma between the items. Put a comma after each item except the last two. Do not put a comma before and.We bought eggs, milk, bread and cheese.
- Write the answer. We bought eggs, milk, bread and cheese.
Check. There are 2 commas, one after each item except the last two. ✓
Watch out. Do not put a comma before and. Two things are joined by and only.
Method. Look at the end of the spoken words.
- Find the end of the speech. The speech is followed by the reporting clause, so a comma goes inside the marks."Dinner is ready"
- Add the comma. The comma goes before the closing inverted commas."Dinner is ready," said Mum.
- Explain the change. The only change is the comma inside the closing inverted commas.one comma added
- Write the answer. "Dinner is ready," said Mum. I put a comma inside the closing inverted commas, before said.
Check. Read it aloud with a pause after ready. ✓
Watch out. Also accept: a comma added inside the closing inverted commas, before said.
Method. Put the fronted adverbial first, then the reporting clause and the speech.
- Fronted adverbial. Later that day tells when, and it comes first, with a comma after it.Later that day,
- Reporting clause and speech. Ben shouted, then the speech in inverted commas with an exclamation mark inside.Ben shouted, "Come and see the kite!"
- Write the answer. Any correct answer, for example: Later that day, Ben shouted, "Come and see the kite!"
Check. Each mark is in the right place. ✓
Watch out. Check the comma after the fronted adverbial and the mark inside the speech.