course 002 Diploma in Basic English Grammar part 001 Grammar -> Using full stops ** Using commas 1

Course Description

Proper grammar is essential to communicating well in English. This free online diploma course introduces the fundamental aspects of English grammar and explains how they should be applied in written and spoken English.
The first section of this course explains the role of grammar in English.
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Following this, the importance of punctuation is described. The course also explains the different parts of speech and the role they play in English sentences. Finally, the course introduces all of the tenses used in the English language. The tenses are explained in videos which include multiple sample sentences.
This free online course is ideal English language students who wish to complement their vocabulary and phrases with a greater understanding of grammar. It is also suitable for native English speakers who want to revise their grammar or learn to communicate more effectively.

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Certification

To qualify for your official ALISON Diploma, Certificate or PDF you must study and complete all modules and score 80% or more in each of the course assessments. A link to your Diploma certificate will then appear under the My Certificates heading of your My Account page.

Punctuation is about how words relate to each other. Using punctuation symbols helps you know when to stop a sentence, take a breath, pause, become excited, lift your voice to ask a question and also when to begin a sentence. When you are speaking you do this naturally, however, when we write, punctuation symbols become sign posts for the reader.

A full stop ends a sentence. A sentence is a complete statement usually containing a verb. Full stops are also used to indicate abbreviations such as Oct. Mon. Rev. where the abbreviation did not contain the first and last letter. Today, most people do not use a full stop after an abbreviation.

All of my friends have mobile phones. I can't afford one because my parents work hard to support our family. They say that it's more important for me to read books than spend my time on an expensive phone. They don't understand the pressure my friends put on me to have a mobile. Friends or family, how should l choose?

"Clean your room now," mum commanded from the family room. Now I was really in for it. Not only my room, but I also had to attack the grass out the back, the garage junk pile, the dirty car, the dirty dog, wash my kid brother, and do homework. I'm good I thought, but not that good.

Commas act as pauses and they can be used to separate independent statements which are linked by: for, and, nor, but, or, yet and so.

Now read these examples and consider how commas are used to separate different parts of the sentences:

Jenny said she would buy me the tickets, but she hasn't shown them to me at all.

I am buying a new car, but l won't pick it up for another month.

I am going to the party, so l don't expect to come home before midnight!

I have never read Shakespeare, nor has my friend Emma.

She picked the whole crate up in one go, for she is an athlete and l am not.

Would you like some cake, or would you prefer fruit?

Look at these examples of the use of full stops. Read both aloud. What effect does the use of full stops have?

Example one:

All of my friends have mobile phones l can't afford one because my parents work hard to support our family they say that it's more important for me to read books than spend my time on an expensive phone they don't understand the pressure my friends put on me to have a mobile friends or family, how should l choose?

Example two:

All of my friends have mobile phones. I can't afford one because my parents work hard to support our family. They say that it's more important for me to read books than spend my time on an expensive phone. They don't understand the pressure my friends put on me to have a mobile. Friends or family, how should l choose?

A full stop ends a sentence. 

A sentence is a complete statement usually containing a verb. 

Full stops are also used to indicate abbreviations such as Oct. Mon. Rev. where the abbreviation did not contain the first and last letter. Today, most people do not use a full stop after an abbreviation.

Using commas 1

Commas are used to separate words, phrases or clauses. They are used to indicate a short pause. Read the following two examples aloud. How have commas changed the way you read? Example one: "Clean your room now" mum commanded from the family room. Now I was really in for it. Not only my room but I also had to attack the grass out the back the garage junk pile the dirty car the dirty dog wash my kid brother and do homework. I'm good I thought but not that good. Example two: "Clean your room now," mum commanded from the family room. Now I was really in for it. Not only my room, but I also had to attack the grass out the back, the garage junk pile, the dirty car, the dirty dog, wash my kid brother, and do homework. I'm good I thought, but not that good. Commas act as pauses and they can be used to separate independent statements which are linked by: for, and, nor, but, or, yet and so. Now read these examples and consider how commas are used to separate different parts of the sentences: Jenny said she would buy me the tickets, but she hasn't shown them to me at all. I am buying a new car, but l won't pick it up for another month. I am going to the party, so l don't expect to come home before midnight! I have never read Shakespeare, nor has my friend Emma. She picked the whole crate up in one go, for she is an athlete and l am not. Would you like some cake, or would you prefer fruit? Print out the following word document and then test your knowledge by punctuating it correctly with commas. Begin by reading the document out loud. This will help you to see more clearly where commas should be placed. Once you have added the commas reread your work or, better still, have a friend read what you have written while you listen carefully. Click here to view the text document. Click here to check your answer. 20th November 2000 12 Blink Place Elwood Vic 3184 Dear Sir I am applying for the part-time position of video sales assistant that was advertised in Saturday’s Age dated 18thNovember 2000. I have been working part-time at Greasy Fats for the past two years. During this time I was working at the front counter taking orders cash handling making burgers cleaning maintaining stock and scheduling rosters. I won the “Crew member of the month” Award twice. This award is given based on punctuality willing to work at short notice performance the ability to work under pressure and excellent customer service. I believe the skills I have developed at Greasy Fats combined with my interest in videos would make me suitable for this position. I live locally so I can work at short notice. I look forward to hearing from you. I hope you will grant me an interview. Yours sincerely I P Daly 20th November  2000 Dear Sir I am applying for the part-time position of video sales assistant that was advertised in Saturday’s Age dated 18thNovember 2000. I have been working part-time at Greasy Fats for the past two years. During this time I was working at the front counter taking orders, cash handling, making burgers, cleaning, maintaining stock and scheduling rosters. I won the “Crew member of the month” Award twice. This award is given based on punctuality, willing to work at short notice, performance, the ability to work under pressure and excellent customer service. I believe the skills I have developed at Greasy Fats, combined with my interest in videos would make me suitable for this position. I live locally so I can work at short notice. I look forward to hearing from you. I hope you will grant me an interview. Yours sincerely, I P Daly Semicolons 1 Some words that we write need a stronger pause before them than that provided by a comma. Examples of these types of words are: however, therefore, also, moreover, furthermore, hence, subsequently and consequently. Further examples showing semicolon usage: 1) She is a wonderful chef; therefore we must consider her for the job. 2) He loves camping; furthermore he can afford to go on the trip. 3) I love English; hence I've decided to study Literature at university. In the above examples the words 'therefore', 'furthermore' and 'hence' need to remain strong in the sentences. They need a strong pause before them and this is done through the use of the semicolon. Semicolons 2 Revise your understanding of semicolons. In the animation you will need to decide where semicolons are needed in a number of sentences. Remember that semicolons are used when the pause needs to be stronger than a comma pause. He was good at mathematics; however he was not interested in it. However needs to remain strong in this sentence. It needs a strong pause at the start of it like this! 20th September 2000 Dear Gary, Thanks for your letter of the 12th September. As I see it, we can do one of three things:  we can postpone the school fete, and hope for better weather have the school fete on the original date, but hold it in the school hall or combine the school fete with the mid-term play. I don’t think the first option is practical or financially possible as we rely on the profits from the fete to assist with general operation expenses the second option would mean we would not be able to hold such activities as the pony rides, or water bombing the teachers always a popular event. All things considered, I think it is best to combine the school play and fete and make it one huge fundraising event. Gary, I look forward to hearing your suggestions. Yours sincerely, Malcolm Millsom 20th September 2000 Dear Gary, Thanks for your letter of the 12th September. As I see it, we do one of three things:  we can postpone the school fete, and hope for better weather; have the school fete on the original date, but hold it in the school hall; or combine the school fete with the mid-term play. I don’t think the first option is practical or financially possible as we rely on the profits from the fete to assist with general operation expenses; the second option would mean we would not be able to hold such activities as the pony rides, or water bombing the teachers; always a popular event. All things considered, I think it is best to combine the school play and fete; make it one huge fundraising event. Gary, I look forward to hearing your suggestions. Yours sincerely, Malcolm Millsom Colons 1 Colons can be used to introduce new information, quotations or a list of things. It's called a colon, and is made up of two full stops on top of each other.