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SATs practice · Year 6Chapter 5 · Commas, brackets and dashes for clarity
Year 6 · Chapter 5

Commas, brackets and dashes for clarity

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • Put a comma after a fronted adverbial
  • Separate the items in a list with commas
  • Use a comma so that the reader cannot misread the sentence
  • Mark extra information with a pair of brackets, dashes or commas, using the same mark on both sides
  • Find and correct a missing or an extra comma

You should already know

  • Lists and the words that describe a noun (Year 4 grammar)
  • Fronted adverbials and adverbials of time, place and number (Chapter 3 of this book)

Where this leads

  • Speech punctuation (Chapter 6 of this book)

KS2 SATs practice for grammar, punctuation and spelling (Year 6). Original questions in the style of the national tests. Content: Use a comma after a fronted adverbial, before the main clause (Year 5-6 grammar), Use commas to separate items in a list (Year 5-6 grammar), Use a comma to avoid ambiguity, for example Let's eat, Grandma (Year 5-6 grammar), Use brackets, dashes or a pair of commas for extra information (parenthesis), and use one rule in each sentence (Year 5-6 grammar), Find a missing or an extra comma, and correct it (Year 5-6 grammar).

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWrite the sentence with capital letters and a full stop: the cat slept on the mat
2
FWhich word is a verb in: The children sang and danced. Choose one: children, sang or The.
3
FHow many items are in this list: apples, pears and plums? Write the number.
4
FWrite the adverb ending in -ly: She carefully opened the box. Write one word.
5
FWhich word is a noun in: The tall tree swayed. Choose one: tall, swayed or tree.
5.1

Commas after fronted adverbials

Year 6
Use a comma after a fronted adverbial, before the main clause (Year 5-6 grammar)
Video lesson: Commas after fronted adverbialsComing soon
Practice material. This is practice in the style of the Year 6 grammar, punctuation and spelling test. It is not the official test, and no official test item is used. Marks and timings are a practice guide only.
Story. At dawn, the ferry left the harbour. Slowly, the fog lifted, and inside the cabin it was warm. Each sentence starts with a word or phrase that tells us when or how.

Rule

A fronted adverbial is a word or phrase at the start of a sentence that tells when, where or how. It is followed by a comma before the main clause: After the storm, the lake was calm.

A single word is also followed by a comma: Finally, we reached the gate.

Key ideas

  • A fronted adverbial is at the start of a sentence and tells when, where or how.
  • Put a comma after it, before the main clause.
  • Without the comma, the reader may pause in the wrong place.
Worked example 5.1.1
Insert the comma: After the storm the lake was calm. Write the corrected sentence.

Method. A fronted adverbial is followed by a comma.

  1. Find the fronted adverbial. After the storm tells when.
    After the storm
  2. Find the main clause. The lake was calm is the main clause.
    the lake was calm
  3. Insert the comma. The comma goes between the two.
    After the storm,
  4. Write the answer.
    After the storm, the lake was calm.

Check. the comma separates the adverbial from the main clause. ✓

Worked example 5.1.2
Which sentence is punctuated correctly? Write it. Inside the tent it was warm. or Inside the tent, it was warm.

Method. Put a comma after the fronted adverbial of place.

  1. Find the adverbial. Inside the tent tells where.
    Inside the tent
  2. Check the first version. Without a comma, the adverbial runs into the main clause.
    no comma
  3. Choose the correct version. The second version has the comma after the adverbial.
    Inside the tent, it was warm.
  4. Write the answer.
    Inside the tent, it was warm.

Check. the comma follows the adverbial. ✓

Worked example 5.1.3
Find the fronted adverbial in: Without warning, the rain began.

Method. The fronted adverbial comes first and is followed by a comma.

  1. Find the first words. Without warning starts the sentence.
    Without warning
  2. Check the comma. The comma after warning ends the adverbial.
    Without warning,
  3. Check the main clause. The rain began is the main clause.
    the rain began
  4. Write the answer.
    Without warning

Check. without warning is the adverbial. ✓

Exercise 5A  Practice: commas after fronted adverbials

1
FInsert the comma: At midnight the church bells rang. Write the corrected sentence.
2
FInsert the comma: Eventually the queue moved forwards. Write the corrected sentence.
3
FWhich sentence has the comma in the right place? Choose one: Under the bridge, the ducks rested., Under the bridge the ducks, rested. or Under, the bridge the ducks rested..
4
FCopy the fronted adverbial: Over the hill, the sun was setting.
5
FIs the comma needed? Quietly the cat crept across the floor. Choose one: True or False.
6
FInsert the comma: In the morning the children set off for school. Write the corrected sentence.
7
FName the fronted adverbial of time: Later that day, the wind dropped. Write the words only.
8
PSWhich sentence is punctuated correctly? Choose one: In the valley, the river is calm., In, the valley the river is calm. or In the valley the, river is calm..
9
PSWrite a sentence that starts with a fronted adverbial of place, followed by a comma.
10
PSInsert the comma: Quickly the firefighters reached the house. Write the corrected sentence.
11
RWhy does the comma help a reader in: Without his coat, Tom went outside.?
12
PSInsert the comma: Behind the wall a dog barked loudly. Write the corrected sentence.
5.2

Commas in lists

Year 6
Use commas to separate items in a list (Year 5-6 grammar)
Video lesson: Commas in listsComing soon
Story. Ali is packing a rucksack for camping. "We need a tent, a stove, a lamp and some water. Bring a big, warm, waterproof coat."

Rule

Use commas to separate the items in a list: apples, pears, plums. In this book, the last two items are joined with and, with no comma before and: apples, pears and plums.

Adjectives before a noun are separated by commas: a big, warm, waterproof coat.

Key ideas

  • Separate the items in a list with commas.
  • In this book, do not put a comma before and in the last item: a, b and c.
  • Adjectives that describe the same noun are separated by commas.
Worked example 5.2.1
Insert commas: We packed apples pears and plums. Write the corrected sentence.

Method. Commas separate the items, and and joins the last two.

  1. Find the items. Apples, pears and plums are the three items.
    apples, pears, plums
  2. Insert the commas. Commas go after the first two items.
    apples, pears
  3. Check the last item. There is no comma before and.
    and plums
  4. Write the answer.
    We packed apples, pears and plums.

Check. three items, separated by commas. ✓

Worked example 5.2.2
Insert commas to separate the adjectives: a tall thin shy boy

Method. Adjectives that describe the same noun are separated by commas.

  1. Find the adjectives. Tall, thin and shy all describe the boy.
    tall, thin, shy
  2. Put commas between them. A comma goes between each adjective.
    tall, thin, shy
  3. Check the noun. Boy is the noun, and it stays last.
    a tall, thin, shy boy
  4. Write the answer.
    a tall, thin, shy boy

Check. the adjectives are separated. ✓

Worked example 5.2.3
How many items are in: The bag held a torch, a map and a compass. Write the number.

Method. Count the items in the list, not the words.

  1. Find the list. A torch, a map and a compass is the list.
    a torch, a map, a compass
  2. Count the items. There are three items.
    three
  3. Check. Each item is one thing in the bag.
    3
  4. Write the answer.
    3

Check. three things are in the bag. ✓

Exercise 5B  Practice: commas in lists

1
FInsert commas: The shop sold bread milk eggs and cheese. Write the corrected sentence.
2
FWhich list is punctuated correctly? Choose one: We saw a lion, a zebra and a giraffe., We saw a lion a zebra and a giraffe. or We saw, a lion, a zebra, and a giraffe..
3
FInsert commas to separate the adjectives: a big gentle friendly dog Write the corrected phrase.
4
FHow many items are in the list: In the bag were a pen, a ruler, a rubber and two pencils. Write the number.
5
FInsert commas: Ruby likes swimming running and cycling. Write the corrected sentence.
6
FWhich sentence has a correct list? Choose one: The park has swings, slides and a pond., The park has swings slides, and a pond. or The park has, swings slides and a pond..
7
PSInsert commas: The café served soup salad bread and tea. Write the corrected sentence.
8
RWhy does a list need commas, even when the items are short?
9
PSWrite the list with commas: We took a tent a stove a lamp and some water. Write the corrected sentence.
10
PSWhich sentence has a list of exactly three items? Choose one: The shop sold pens, paper and glue., The shop sold pens, paper, glue and tape. or The shop sold pens and paper..
11
PSWrite a list of three things you might pack for a picnic, with commas.
12
PSInsert commas in the list of verbs: She ran jumped and landed. Write the corrected sentence.
5.3

Commas to avoid ambiguity

Year 6
Use a comma to avoid ambiguity, for example Let's eat, Grandma (Year 5-6 grammar)
Video lesson: Commas to avoid ambiguityComing soon
Story. Mum writes a note on the fridge: "Thank you, Anita, for the lovely card. Let's eat, Grandma!" The comma shows who is being spoken to, and what is being eaten.

Rule

A comma can stop a sentence being misread. In Let's eat, Grandma, the comma shows that Grandma is the person spoken to. Without it, the sentence reads as if Grandma is the food.

A name that someone is spoken to is set off with commas: Thank you, Sam.

Key ideas

  • A comma can show who is being spoken to: Mum, can you help?
  • A comma can stop a reader misreading the meaning.
  • When a name is spoken to, the name is set off with a comma.
Worked example 5.3.1
Insert a comma to avoid confusion: Let's eat Grandma. Write the corrected sentence.

Method. A comma shows the person being spoken to.

  1. Find the name. Grandma is the person spoken to.
    Grandma
  2. Set the name off with a comma. The comma shows Grandma is addressed.
    eat,
  3. Check the meaning. The sentence now means we are inviting Grandma to eat.
    Let's eat, Grandma.
  4. Write the answer.
    Let's eat, Grandma.

Check. the comma shows who is spoken to. ✓

Worked example 5.3.2
Insert the comma: Thank you Sam. Write the corrected sentence.

Method. A name that someone is spoken to is set off with a comma.

  1. Find the name. Sam is the person spoken to.
    Sam
  2. Set it off. A comma goes before the name.
    you,
  3. Check the sentence. The name is clearly addressed.
    Thank you, Sam.
  4. Write the answer.
    Thank you, Sam.

Check. the name is set off with a comma. ✓

Worked example 5.3.3
Insert a comma: When the dog barked the children ran inside. Write the corrected sentence.

Method. A comma separates the first clause from the main clause, so the reader pauses in the right place.

  1. Find the first clause. When the dog barked starts the sentence.
    When the dog barked
  2. Find the main clause. The children ran inside is the main clause.
    the children ran inside
  3. Insert the comma. The comma comes before the main clause.
    barked,
  4. Write the answer.
    When the dog barked, the children ran inside.

Check. the comma separates the clauses. ✓

Exercise 5C  Practice: commas to avoid ambiguity

1
FInsert a comma to avoid confusion: Let's cook Grandpa. Write the corrected sentence.
2
FInsert the comma that stops the name being read as part of the action: Thank you Mum. Write the corrected sentence.
3
FWhich sentence is easier to read? Choose one: Lets eat Grandma., Let's eat, Grandma. or Let's eat Grandma.
4
FInsert the comma: When the bell rang the children went home. Write the corrected sentence.
5
FIs the comma needed to show who is spoken to? Mum can you help me. Choose one: True or False.
6
PSInsert the commas: Thank you Anita for the lovely card. Write the corrected sentence.
7
RExplain how a comma changes the meaning of Let's eat, Grandma compared with Let's eat Grandma.
8
PSInsert the comma: Please come in Mr Okafor. Write the corrected sentence.
9
PSInsert the comma: Sit down Lily. Write the corrected sentence.
10
PSWhich sentence is punctuated to avoid confusion? Choose one: We cannot wait Tom., We cannot wait, Tom. or We cannot wait Tom.
11
PSWrite a sentence that uses a comma to show someone is being spoken to.
12
PSInsert the comma: After the rain stopped the sun came out. Write the corrected sentence.
5.4

Brackets, dashes and a pair of commas

Year 6
Use brackets, dashes or a pair of commas for extra information (parenthesis), and use one rule in each sentence (Year 5-6 grammar)
Video lesson: Brackets, dashes and a pair of commasComing soon
Story. Our museum guide explains: "The lighthouse (which stands on the cliff) is old. The café – which opens at seven – is busy. The old barn, which had a red roof, collapsed in the storm."

Rule

Extra information can be marked with brackets (), dashes (–) or a pair of commas. The sentence still makes sense if the extra information is removed.

Use the same mark on both sides of the extra information. Do not mix a dash on one side with a comma on the other.

Key ideas

  • Extra information sits between two matching marks: brackets, dashes or commas.
  • The sentence still makes sense without the extra information.
  • Use one kind of mark for each piece of extra information.
Worked example 5.4.1
Insert a pair of brackets around the extra information: The lighthouse which stands on the cliff is old.

Method. Put one bracket before the extra information and one after it.

  1. Find the extra information. Which stands on the cliff adds detail.
    which stands on the cliff
  2. Add the opening bracket. The opening bracket goes before which.
    (
  3. Add the closing bracket. The closing bracket goes after cliff.
    The lighthouse (which stands on the cliff) is old.
  4. Write the answer.
    The lighthouse (which stands on the cliff) is old.

Check. the sentence makes sense without the brackets. ✓

Worked example 5.4.2
Make the sentence use a pair of commas: The puppy – tired and hungry – fell asleep.

Method. Replace the dashes with commas, using the same mark on both sides.

  1. Find the extra information. Tired and hungry describes the puppy.
    tired and hungry
  2. Replace the first dash. A comma replaces the dash before tired.
    puppy,
  3. Replace the second dash. A comma replaces the dash after hungry.
    The puppy, tired and hungry, fell asleep.
  4. Write the answer.
    The puppy, tired and hungry, fell asleep.

Check. both sides use a comma. ✓

Worked example 5.4.3
Find the mistake and write the corrected sentence: The coach (who was tired, shouted instructions.

Method. Both sides of the extra information must match.

  1. Find the opening mark. An opening bracket is at (who.
    (
  2. Find the missing closing mark. The bracket is never closed.
    tired
  3. Close the bracket. Add a closing bracket after tired.
    The coach (who was tired) shouted instructions.
  4. Write the answer.
    The coach (who was tired) shouted instructions.

Check. the bracket is closed. ✓

Exercise 5D  Practice: brackets, dashes and a pair of commas

1
FInsert brackets around the extra information: The old barn which had a red roof collapsed in the storm. Write the corrected sentence.
2
FChange the commas to a pair of dashes: The café, which opens at seven, is busy. Write the corrected sentence.
3
FWhich sentence uses one kind of mark consistently? Choose one: Our dog (a small terrier) barked., Our dog (a small terrier, barked. or Our dog, a small terrier) barked..
4
FIs this correct? Our house – which is old, has a garden. Choose one: True or False.
5
FInsert a pair of commas: Mr Hale who teaches Year 6 is my uncle. Write the corrected sentence.
6
FInsert the closing bracket: The shop (which sells bread is open. Write the corrected sentence.
7
FWrite a sentence with a pair of brackets that gives extra information about a place.
8
PSWhich sentence is correct? Choose one: The bridge, which was built in 1900 – is long., The bridge, which was built in 1900, is long. or The bridge which was built in 1900, is long..
9
PSMake the extra information into a pair of brackets: The coach, who was tired, shouted. Write the corrected sentence.
10
RWhy is a pair of brackets useful in a formal report?
11
PSInsert the second dash: The new bridge – built last year is busy. Write the corrected sentence.
12
PSWrite a sentence with a pair of commas around extra information about the sea.
5.5

Finding missing and extra commas

Year 6
Find a missing or an extra comma, and correct it (Year 5-6 grammar)
Video lesson: Finding missing and extra commasComing soon
Story. Priya reads her report and marks each comma. "Yesterday, we went, to the zoo. The lions, were asleep. We saw a hare, a fox and a badger."

Rule

Check each comma: a comma is needed after a fronted adverbial, between items in a list, and around extra information. A comma is not needed between a subject and its verb, or after the verb.

Key ideas

  • Look for a comma after a fronted adverbial.
  • Look for commas between items in a list, and none before and in the last item.
  • Do not put a comma between a subject and its verb.
Worked example 5.5.1
Find the missing comma and write the sentence: The last bus left early so we walked home.

Method. A comma goes before a conjunction that joins two main clauses, like so.

  1. Find the two main clauses. The last bus left early and we walked home.
    The last bus left early / we walked home
  2. Find the conjunction. So joins the two clauses.
    so
  3. Insert the comma. A comma goes before so.
    early,
  4. Write the answer.
    The last bus left early, so we walked home.

Check. the comma separates the clauses. ✓

Worked example 5.5.2
Find the extra comma and write the sentence: We packed, a tent, a stove and a lamp.

Method. Commas separate items, but not between the verb and the list.

  1. Find the verb and the list. Packed is the verb, and a tent begins the list.
    packed
  2. Find the extra comma. The comma after packed separates the verb from its object.
    packed,
  3. Remove it. The list keeps its commas between items only.
    We packed a tent, a stove and a lamp.
  4. Write the answer.
    We packed a tent, a stove and a lamp.

Check. no comma separates the verb from its object. ✓

Worked example 5.5.3
Find the mistake and write the sentence: Yesterday, we went, to the park.

Method. Do not put a comma between a verb and the words that follow it.

  1. Find the adverbial. Yesterday is a fronted adverbial, and its comma is correct.
    Yesterday,
  2. Find the extra comma. The comma after went separates the verb from the place.
    went,
  3. Remove it. The sentence reads smoothly without it.
    Yesterday, we went to the park.
  4. Write the answer.
    Yesterday, we went to the park.

Check. the sentence has one comma after the adverbial only. ✓

Exercise 5E  Practice: finding missing and extra commas

1
FFind the extra comma and write the corrected sentence: The dog, ran across the field.
2
FFind the missing comma: After the match we went home. Write the corrected sentence.
3
FWhich sentence is punctuated correctly? Choose one: We bought bread, milk and eggs., We bought, bread milk and eggs. or We bought bread milk, and eggs..
4
FFind the mistake: My sister, who lives in Leeds visits us often. Write the corrected sentence.
5
FIs the sentence punctuated correctly? Tired, after the walk, we sat down. Choose one: True or False.
6
PSFind the missing comma: Behind the hedge a fox was hiding. Write the corrected sentence.
7
FFind the extra comma: The cat, sat on the warm mat. Write the corrected sentence.
8
RExplain why this sentence needs a comma before and: Dad cooked the rice, and we set the table.
9
PSFind the missing comma in the list: We saw a hare a fox and a badger. Write the corrected sentence.
10
PSWhich sentence is correct? Choose one: In the morning, we left., In the, morning we left. or In the morning we, left..
11
PSFind the mistake: Hurrying to the bus stop Ali dropped his bag. Write the corrected sentence.
12
PSCorrect the commas: The shop which opened last week, sells, fresh bread. Write the corrected sentence.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Fronted adverbialPut a comma after it, before the main clause: After the storm, the lake was calm.
Commas in a listSeparate items with commas, and no comma before and in the last item.
Commas for clarityA comma can show who is spoken to: Let's eat, Grandma.
Extra informationA pair of brackets, dashes or commas, with the same mark on both sides.
Missing or extra commaCheck for a comma after a fronted adverbial, and none between subject and verb.

Can you…?

  • I can put a comma after a fronted adverbial
  • I can separate the items in a list with commas, with no comma before and
  • I can use a comma to avoid misreading a sentence, such as Let's eat, Grandma
  • I can mark extra information with a matching pair of brackets, dashes or commas
  • I can find a missing or an extra comma, and correct it

Key terms

fronted adverbial
a word or phrase at the start of a sentence that tells when, where or how
list
a set of items separated by commas
parenthesis
extra information in a sentence, set off by brackets, dashes or commas
ambiguous
able to be understood in more than one way
main clause
a clause that makes sense on its own
address
the name of the person being spoken to, such as Anita in Thank you, Anita

Exercise 5Z  Check-up

1
Insert the comma: On Sunday we visited the zoo. Write the corrected sentence.
2
Insert commas: We need flour eggs milk and sugar. Write the corrected sentence.
3
Which sentence uses commas correctly? Choose one: Ben, my brother, is ten., Ben, my brother is ten. or Ben my brother, is ten..
4
Insert a comma to avoid confusion: Thank you Ruby. Write the corrected sentence.
5
Insert brackets around the extra information: The river which runs through the town is clean. Write the corrected sentence.
6
Is the sentence correct? The hall, which was new, was full. Choose one: True or False.
7
Find the extra comma: My bag, has a broken strap. Write the corrected sentence.
8
Write the fronted adverbial with its comma: In the evening the crowds left. Write the corrected sentence.
9
Write a sentence with a pair of commas around extra information.
10
Insert the missing comma: When the bell rings everyone must line up. Write the corrected sentence.

Total 15 marks. Allow about 15 minutes.

Exercise 5X  Practice test questions

1
FInsert the comma: Without a word the stranger left. Write the corrected sentence.[1 mark]
2
FWhich list is correct? Choose one: She packed socks, a jumper and a hat., She packed socks a jumper and a hat. or She packed, socks, a jumper, and a hat..[1 mark]
3
PSInsert commas to separate the list: The market sold figs dates nuts and raisins. Write the corrected sentence.[2 marks]
4
PSInsert a pair of brackets around the extra information: The museum which opened in 1902 has a new wing. Write the corrected sentence.[2 marks]
5
FInsert a comma to avoid confusion: Let's feed Grandma. Write the corrected sentence.[1 mark]
6
FWhich sentence is punctuated correctly? Choose one: The lake, which was frozen, cracked., The lake, which was frozen cracked. or The lake which was frozen, cracked..[1 mark]
7
PSFind the extra comma: After the lesson, the children, packed their bags. Write the corrected sentence.[2 marks]
8
PSInsert the commas for the extra information: The mayor who was elected last year opened the park. Write the corrected sentence.[2 marks]
9
FIs the sentence correct? In the winter, the birds fly south. Choose one: True or False.[1 mark]
10
RExplain in one or two sentences why a pair of commas is needed around extra information, rather than one comma.[2 marks]
← Chapter 4: Sentence punctuation: colon, semi-colon, dash, bullet points, hyphenChapter 6: Speech punctuation →

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