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Primary English · Year 5Chapter 7 · Brackets, dashes, commas and hyphens
Year 5 · Chapter 7

Brackets, dashes, commas and hyphens

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • Choose brackets, dashes or commas to add extra information
  • Use a comma so that a sentence means what the writer intends
  • Use a hyphen to show the meaning of a word clearly
  • Punctuate direct speech with inverted commas and the right end mark
  • Proof-read a short passage for punctuation

You should already know

  • Capital letters, full stops, question marks and exclamation marks (Year 4, Chapter 5)
  • Direct speech and inverted commas (Year 4, Chapter 5)

Where this leads

  • Writing stories and poems (Chapter 11 of this book)

National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 2 English, Year 5. Content: Use brackets, dashes or commas to indicate extra information (parenthesis) (P5-1), Use commas to clarify meaning or avoid ambiguity (P5-2), Use hyphens to avoid ambiguity, such as re-cover and recover (P5-3), Punctuate direct speech, with inverted commas, a comma after the reporting clause and end punctuation inside the inverted commas (P5-4, WV9, G4-7, TM4).

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWhich end mark is right for a question: a full stop, a question mark or an exclamation mark?
2
FWrite the missing mark: Can we go to the park
3
FWrite the word inside the inverted commas: "Good morning," said Ali.
4
FWrite the word that joins two clauses and shows a reason: and, because or under?
5
FWrite the plural of child.
7.1

Brackets, dashes and commas for extra information

Year 5
Use brackets, dashes or commas to indicate extra information (P5-1)
Video lesson: Brackets, dashes and commas for extra informationComing soon
Story. Ella is writing about her favourite place. She writes, The park (which is near our school) has a lake. Then she tries dashes: The lake – small and still – sparkles in the sun. She wonders which mark is best. Each one sets off extra information from the rest of the sentence.

Key pattern

Brackets, dashes and commas can each set off extra information in a sentence. The sentence still makes sense without it.

Brackets: The fox (a red one) ran off.

Dashes: The fox – a red one – ran off.

Commas: The fox, a red one, ran off.

Use a pair of marks: an opening and a closing bracket, or two dashes, or two commas.

Key ideas

  • Brackets are often used for extra information that is a little separate from the sentence.
  • Dashes are used for extra information that adds drama or emphasis.
  • Commas are used for extra information that is closely linked to the sentence.
  • Always use a pair: the extra information must have a start mark and an end mark.
Worked example 7.1.1
Add brackets around the extra information in My cat Ginger sleeps all day. Ginger is a tabby cat.

Method. Find the words that give extra information about the cat.

  1. Find the extra information. A tabby is a type of cat, which gives more detail.
    a tabby
  2. Put brackets around it. Use brackets around the extra words.
    My cat (Ginger, a tabby) sleeps all day.
  3. Write the answer.
    My cat (Ginger, a tabby) sleeps all day.

Check. The brackets set off the extra information. ✓

Worked example 7.1.2
Which mark is used as a pair in The team – the best in the league – won the cup.?

Method. Look at the marks around the extra words.

  1. Find the marks. There are two dashes, one before and one after the extra words.
    two marks
  2. Name the pair. A pair of dashes sets off extra information.
    dashes
  3. Write the answer.
    dashes

Check. Dashes. ✓

Worked example 7.1.3
Write the sentence with commas around the extra information: My sister who is ten likes swimming.

Method. Put a comma before and after the extra words.

  1. Find the extra information. Who is ten gives more detail about my sister.
    who is ten
  2. Add the commas. A comma goes before who and after ten.
    My sister, who is ten, likes swimming.
  3. Write the answer.
    My sister, who is ten, likes swimming.

Check. My sister, who is ten, likes swimming. ✓

Exercise 7A  Practice: brackets, dashes and commas

1
FPut brackets around the extra information: The shop on the corner sells maps. (the extra words: on the corner)
2
FPut dashes around the extra information: The box was heavy and full of books. (extra: heavy and full of books)
3
FWhich mark is missing in My brother, who lives in York, is a teacher.? Write the mark.
4
FChoose the best pair for the extra words: Our teacher – Mrs Hall – is kind. Which pair is used: brackets, dashes or commas?
5
FPut commas around the extra information in The bus which goes to the park is late.
6
FPut brackets around the extra information in The painting (done in 1920) hangs in the hall. Write the correct pair.
7
PSWhich pair would you use for a light, friendly aside: brackets or dashes?
8
PSRewrite with dashes: The river (which flows past the school) is wide.
9
PSRewrite with commas: The dog (a black labrador) ran across the field.
10
PSWhich sentence has the extra information set off correctly: The tower (built in 1800 stands tall. or The tower (built in 1800) stands tall.?
11
RWrite a sentence with extra information set off by dashes.
12
RExplain why a pair of marks is always needed for extra information in the middle of a sentence.
7.2

Commas that make the meaning clear

Year 5
Use commas to clarify meaning or avoid ambiguity (P5-2)
Video lesson: Commas that make the meaning clearComing soon
Story. Sam sees a sign in the kitchen: Let's eat Grandma. He laughs, because it could mean two things. With a comma after eat, the sign says Let's eat, Grandma, which is a friendly invitation.

Key pattern

A comma can change the meaning of a sentence. Without it, the reader may read the sentence in the wrong way.

Let's eat, Grandma. means the speaker is talking to Grandma.

Let's eat Grandma. could suggest something quite different. A comma prevents this confusion.

Key ideas

  • A comma can separate a name or a person from the rest of the sentence.
  • A comma can show where the reader should pause to understand the meaning.
  • Read the sentence aloud in your head, and listen for the pause.
  • Use a comma to avoid a sentence that could mean two things.
Worked example 7.2.1
Which sentence shows that Sam is the person being spoken to: Sam come here or Sam, come here?

Method. Read each sentence and decide what it means.

  1. Read the first. Sam come here could read as a sentence about Sam, not a call to him.
    unclear
  2. Read the second. With a comma, Sam is named as the person being called.
    clear
  3. Write the answer.
    Sam, come here

Check. The comma makes the meaning clear. ✓

Watch out. Commas change meaning. Check that the meaning you intend is the one the reader will see.

Worked example 7.2.2
Add a comma to show that the speaker is talking to a friend: Thanks Ben for the book.

Method. Put commas around the name of the person being spoken to.

  1. Find the name. Ben is the person being thanked.
    Ben
  2. Add the commas. Put a comma before and after Ben.
    Thanks, Ben, for the book.
  3. Write the answer.
    Thanks, Ben, for the book.

Check. Thanks, Ben, for the book. ✓

Worked example 7.2.3
Add a comma to show the pause in Yesterday we played football in the rain.

Method. Put a comma after an opening time word.

  1. Find the opening word. Yesterday starts the sentence.
    Yesterday
  2. Add the comma. A comma goes after the opening time word.
    Yesterday, we played football in the rain.
  3. Write the answer.
    Yesterday, we played football in the rain.

Check. Yesterday, we played football in the rain. ✓

Exercise 7B  Practice: commas for meaning

1
FAdd a comma to show who is being spoken to: Let's go Dad.
2
FAdd a comma to show the speaker is talking to Ann: Thank you Ann.
3
FAdd a comma after the opening word in Later we will walk to the shop.
4
PSWhich sentence means the speaker is hungry for Grandma: Lets eat Grandma. or Let's eat, Grandma.?
5
PSAdd a comma to make the meaning clear: After the match the players went home.
6
PSAdd commas to make a list clear: We packed apples bananas and grapes.
7
PSRewrite with a comma so the meaning is clear: Stop Grandad is coming.
8
RExplain how a comma changes the meaning of Let's eat Grandma.
9
RWrite a sentence where a comma after a name changes the meaning.
7.3

Hyphens to avoid ambiguity

Year 5
Use hyphens to avoid ambiguity, such as re-cover and recover (P5-3)
Video lesson: Hyphens to avoid ambiguityComing soon
Story. The class is making a poster about the school library. Tara writes, We need to re-cover the books. Her friend Ben reads it and thinks she means recover, which means to get back to health or to find something again. Tara adds a hyphen so the word is clear: re-cover, to cover again.

Key pattern

A hyphen can show the difference between two words that are spelled the same way, or that look alike.

re-cover means to cover again. recover means to get better, or to find something again.

re-sign means to sign again. resign means to leave a job.

A hyphen can also join two words used as one describing word: a small-scale plan.

Key ideas

  • A hyphen can separate the prefix re- from a word starting with e: re-enter, re-examine.
  • A hyphen can show a difference of meaning: re-sign and resign.
  • Check the meaning in a dictionary if you are not sure.
  • Hyphens are used in writing, not in speech.
Worked example 7.3.1
Which word means to cover again: recover or re-cover?

Method. Look at the hyphen and the meaning.

  1. Find the meaning. Re- means again, so to cover again needs the hyphen.
    again
  2. Choose the spelling. The hyphen shows the word is re-cover.
    re-cover
  3. Write the answer.
    re-cover

Check. re-cover. ✓

Worked example 7.3.2
Which word means to leave a job: resign or re-sign?

Method. Think about the meaning of each word.

  1. Find the meaning. To leave a job is resign.
    leave
  2. Check the other word. Re-sign means to sign again.
    sign again
  3. Write the answer.
    resign

Check. Resign. ✓

Worked example 7.3.3
Add a hyphen to show the meaning of She decided to re-form the club. (to form it again)

Method. Add a hyphen after re- to show the meaning is form again.

  1. Find the word. The word is re-form, to form again.
    re-form
  2. Add the hyphen. Put a hyphen after re- so the reader sees the meaning.
    re-form
  3. Write the answer.
    re-form

Check. re-form. ✓

Exercise 7C  Practice: hyphens and meaning

1
FWhich word means to get better: recover or re-cover?
2
FWhich word means to sign again: resign or re-sign?
3
FWhich word means to be angry at someone: resent or re-sent?
4
FWhich word means to send again: resent or re-sent?
5
FAdd a hyphen to show that the sentence means to cover the books again: We will recover the books.
6
PSWhich word means to leave a job: re-sign or resign?
7
PSWrite the word that means to form again, with a hyphen to show the meaning.
8
PSWhich sentence needs a hyphen to show meaning: She will re-sign the form or She will resign the form?
9
PSWhich hyphen is correct in a describing phrase: a small scale plan or a small-scale plan?
10
PSAdd a hyphen to show that the phrase is one describing word: a well known author
11
RExplain why re-cover and recover need different spellings.
12
RWrite one sentence with re-sign and one with resign, and make each meaning clear.
7.4

Speech punctuation: inverted commas, the comma and the end mark

Year 5
Punctuate direct speech with inverted commas, a comma after the reporting clause and end punctuation inside the inverted commas (P5-4, WV9, G4-7, TM4)
Video lesson: Speech punctuation: inverted commas, the comma and the end markComing soon
Story. Ruby is writing a story about a race. Her first line is Let's go! said Ruby. She knows that the punctuation for the words spoken goes inside the inverted commas, and that the comma for the reporting clause goes before the opening inverted commas.

Key pattern

Direct speech: the words spoken are inside inverted commas: "Let's go!"

A reporting clause tells who speaks: said Ruby. It is set off with a comma.

End punctuation goes inside the closing inverted commas: "Where are we going?" asked Ali.

Start a new line each time a new speaker talks.

Key ideas

  • Put the spoken words inside inverted commas.
  • A comma goes after the reporting clause: Sam said, "...".
  • When the reporting clause comes second, put a comma inside the closing inverted commas.
  • The question mark or exclamation mark replaces the comma when it is needed.
Worked example 7.4.1
Punctuate: come here said Mum

Method. Put the spoken words inside inverted commas, and add the comma.

  1. Find the spoken words. Come here is what Mum says.
    come here
  2. Add the punctuation. Inverted commas go round the words; a comma goes before the closing inverted commas.
    "Come here," said Mum.
  3. Write the answer.
    "Come here," said Mum.

Check. "Come here," said Mum. ✓

Worked example 7.4.2
Punctuate: where are we going asked Ali

Method. A question keeps its question mark inside the inverted commas.

  1. Find the spoken words. Where are we going is a question.
    question
  2. Add the punctuation. The question mark goes inside the closing inverted commas; no comma is needed.
    "Where are we going?" asked Ali.
  3. Write the answer.
    "Where are we going?" asked Ali.

Check. "Where are we going?" asked Ali. ✓

Worked example 7.4.3
Punctuate: what a great goal shouted Sam

Method. An exclamation keeps its mark inside the inverted commas.

  1. Find the spoken words. What a great goal is an exclamation.
    exclamation
  2. Add the punctuation. The exclamation mark goes inside the closing inverted commas.
    "What a great goal!" shouted Sam.
  3. Write the answer.
    "What a great goal!" shouted Sam.

Check. "What a great goal!" shouted Sam. ✓

Exercise 7D  Practice: direct speech

1
FPunctuate the speech: hello said Ali
2
FPunctuate the speech: we won shouted Mia
3
FPunctuate the speech: is it time for lunch asked Ben
4
FWhere does the comma go in Mum said "Dinner is ready"?
5
FPunctuate: I am tired said Leo
6
PSWhich is correct: "Come here," said Mum. or "Come here". said Mum.?
7
PSPunctuate: look out shouted Dad
8
PSPunctuate the speech and the reporting clause: shall we start asked Ali
9
PSRewrite the two speakers on separate lines: "Hi," said Ben. "Hi," said Ali. Write the two lines.
10
RAli writes "Let's go" said Sam. Explain what is missing.
11
RWrite one sentence of direct speech with a reporting clause that comes after the words.
7.5

Proof-reading a passage for punctuation

Year 5
Use brackets, dashes, commas, hyphens and speech punctuation together (P5-1 to P5-4)
Video lesson: Proof-reading a passage for punctuationComing soon
Story. Jo has written a short story about a lost dog. Before she hands it in, she reads it aloud, checking each mark. She finds a missing comma, a dash with no partner, and a pair of inverted commas that is not closed.

Key pattern

Read the passage slowly and check each mark: is it in a pair? Is it in the right place? Does the sentence still make sense?

Mark each error, then write the correct version.

Key ideas

  • Check that every pair of brackets, dashes or commas is complete.
  • Check that each new speaker has a new line.
  • Check that each hyphen gives the meaning you intend.
  • Read the passage aloud to hear where the punctuation is needed.
Worked example 7.5.1
Find the error in My dog (a brown one ran home.

Method. Check that the brackets are a pair.

  1. Find the opening bracket. There is an opening bracket before a brown one.
    opening
  2. Add the closing bracket. Add a closing bracket after one.
    My dog (a brown one) ran home.
  3. Write the answer.
    My dog (a brown one) ran home.

Check. The brackets are a pair. ✓

Worked example 7.5.2
Find the error in We saw a lot of fish, and a crab.? Is there a missing mark? Write Yes or No.

Method. Check the list punctuation.

  1. Read the sentence. The list has one comma and an and; the punctuation is right.
    right
  2. Decide. No mark is missing.
    No
  3. Write the answer.
    No

Check. No. ✓

Worked example 7.5.3
Correct the speech: "Come back" called Ali

Method. Look at the words and the tone.

  1. Find the words. Come back is a call.
    call
  2. Correct the mark. Use an exclamation mark inside the closing inverted commas.
    "Come back!" called Ali.
  3. Write the answer.
    "Come back!" called Ali.

Check. "Come back!" called Ali. ✓

Exercise 7E  Practice: proof-reading

1
FCorrect the dash pair: The team – the best in the league won the cup.
2
FCorrect the speech: "Where is the bus?" Ali asked. Is the punctuation right? Write Yes or No.
3
FCorrect the missing comma: "We will win" said Sam. Write the corrected sentence.
4
FCorrect the speech: "Get ready" shouted Mum
5
PSCorrect the hyphen: The class will re-sign the poster. (to sign again)
6
PSCorrect the comma: After the rain stopped we went outside. Write the corrected sentence.
7
PSCorrect the speech: Ben said "Hi". Write the sentence with the comma.
8
PSCorrect the brackets: The old tree (which is near the gate stands tall.
9
RWrite a short note to a friend that uses one pair of brackets, one pair of dashes and one comma for a list, all correctly.
10
RExplain why a comma is needed after the reporting clause in Mia said, "We can go now."

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Brackets, dashes and commasA pair of marks sets off extra information; the sentence still makes sense without it.
Commas for meaningA comma can show who is spoken to, or where to pause: Let's eat, Grandma.
HyphensA hyphen can show meaning: re-cover (again) and recover (get better).
Direct speechInverted commas round the words; a comma after the reporting clause; end mark inside the inverted commas.

Can you…?

  • I can use brackets, dashes or commas in a pair for extra information
  • I can use a comma to make the meaning clear
  • I can use a hyphen to show the meaning of a word
  • I can punctuate direct speech with the end mark inside the inverted commas
  • I can proof-read a passage for punctuation

Key terms

parenthesis
extra information in a sentence, set off by a pair of brackets, dashes or commas
ambiguity
when a sentence could be read in more than one way
hyphen
a short mark (-) that joins words or shows a meaning
inverted commas
the marks (" ") that show the words someone says
reporting clause
the part of a sentence that says who speaks, such as said Ali
end punctuation
the mark at the end of a sentence, such as a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark

Exercise 7Z  Check-up

1
Put brackets around the extra information in The cake (a chocolate one) was gone. Which mark is used?
2
Rewrite with commas: My uncle, who is a doctor, is tall. Which mark is used to set off the extra information?
3
Add a comma to show the speaker is talking to Ann: Please sit down Ann.
4
Which word means to cover again: recover or re-cover?
5
Which word means to leave a job: resign or re-sign?
6
Punctuate: come on shouted Ruby
7
Punctuate: is the bell ringing asked Sam
8
Correct the sentence: My bag (which has wheels is heavy.
9
Add a comma to make the sentence clear: Yesterday we visited the museum.
10
Write a sentence that uses dashes to set off extra information, and a comma after a reporting clause.

Total 19 marks. Allow about 19 minutes.

Exercise 7X  Practice test questions

1
FWhich pair is used for extra information: brackets, dashes or commas? Write one pair.[1 mark]
2
FWhich word means to get better: recover or re-cover?[1 mark]
3
FAdd a comma to show that the speaker is talking to Ben: Well done Ben.[1 mark]
4
PSPunctuate: what time is it asked Mia[2 marks]
5
PSPunctuate: stop shouted Dad[2 marks]
6
PSCorrect the hyphen: a club that will re-form next term means form again. Write the word that shows this meaning.[2 marks]
7
PSCorrect the sentence: Lets eat Grandma. so that the sentence is not confusing. Write the sentence with the comma.[2 marks]
8
PSPunctuate: I will come later said Sam[2 marks]
9
RExplain why the comma matters in Let's eat, Grandma.[3 marks]
10
RPunctuate a short speech with a reporting clause before the words, and explain the comma.[3 marks]
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