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Myriora English › Grammar and punctuation › Chapter 4: Punctuation

Commas that change meaning

Ages 9–11Chapter 4 · Lesson 8

In this lesson

Your turn

Which sentence is talking to Dad?

Show the answer

Let's help, Dad. The comma shows we're talking to Dad.

The common mistake

Here's a common mistake. Lots of people leave out the comma before a name at the end of a sentence. When you're talking to Miss Patel, write thank you, comma, Miss Patel.

Try it at home

Silly sentences: write a sentence that turns funny without its comma (Let's eat, Grandma!) and draw both meanings. Then make up your own.

Read the whole lesson

Hello, and welcome to Myriora English! A comma can change the meaning of a sentence completely. Look at these two sentences. One is inviting Grandma to eat. The other is planning to eat Grandma! One comma saves her.

When you talk to someone by name, put a comma between their name and the rest of the sentence. Let's eat, Grandma! Sam, come here.

Commas in lists change meaning too. I love cooking, my family and my dog. Without the commas, it sounds as if you like cooking your family and your dog!

Let's try one together. Which one is talking to Tom, and telling him to stop? Say it out loud!

The one with the comma! The comma shows we're talking to Tom. Without it, we're asking someone to stop Tom. Well done if you got it!

Here's a common mistake. Lots of people leave out the comma before a name at the end of a sentence. When you're talking to Miss Patel, write thank you, comma, Miss Patel.

Your turn! Which sentence is talking to Dad? Pick the right card. You've got eight seconds, or pause the video. Go!

Time's up! Let's help, Dad. The comma shows we're talking to Dad.

Quick review. Commas can change the meaning of a sentence. Put a comma between the name of someone you're talking to and the rest of the sentence. Read your sentence carefully, and check it says what you mean. See you next time!