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English•Punctuation

Using commas

Upper Primary 6 questions
AI-drafted from platform data — specialist review scheduledBy DigiTransact Mastermind editorial teamLast updated
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What using commas means

You use commas to show small pauses and to make sentences easier to read. They help you separate items, join parts of a sentence, and keep extra information clear.

What you will practise

  • Choose the correct comma in a list of items
  • Add a comma after an opening phrase
  • Set off extra information with commas on both sides
  • Spot sentences where the comma is missing or in the wrong place

Before you start

You should already be able to read simple sentences and know the difference between a phrase and a full sentence. It also helps if you can spot lists and extra details in a sentence.

Worked example

One question from this skill's own question bank, shown with its full working.

Question

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

  • I bought apples bananas, and grapes.
  • I bought apples, bananas, and grapes.
  • I bought, apples bananas and grapes.
  • I bought apples bananas and, grapes.
Answer: I bought apples, bananas, and grapes.

Working: Commas separate items in a list.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Leaving out commas between items in a list. Add them so each item is clear.
  • Putting a comma after every short word group. Use one only where the sentence needs a pause.
  • Forgetting the second comma around extra information. Put commas on both sides of the added detail.
  • Using a comma where a full stop or joining word is needed. Check the whole sentence first.

Curriculum and exam alignment

Ghana GES Basic 4 to 6 syllabusGroundwork for the BECE

This skill normally appears in Upper Primary English when learners are working on sentence structure and punctuation. It supports school-based assessment and gives a useful base for the BECE later on.

Curriculum notes are a general guide to where this work normally sits. Always check the syllabus your school or examination body is currently using.

Related skills

Other Punctuation skills in English, at the same point in the course.

Other English topics

Letters and SoundsEarly Reading and WritingSHS English and LiteratureAcademic and Professional WritingGrammarVocabulary

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Exams that assess using commas

Upper Primary work on this skill feeds directly into these exam papers. Each page lists the English topics that appear on it.

GESGES practice questionsFree GES practice across the subjects at this stage, with worked answers.BECEBECE practice questionsListed as a related subject on the BECE practice page.WASSCEWASSCE practice questionsListed as a related subject on the WASSCE practice page.

How this page was produced

This text was drafted with AI assistance from the questions and topics already stored on the platform. A subject-specialist review is scheduled but has not yet been recorded, so we do not claim it here.

Written by
DigiTransact Mastermind editorial team
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Practise using commas

6 questions with a worked answer after every attempt, and a SmartScore that tracks how close you are to mastery.

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