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Basic 3 · Ghanaian Language · Punctuation

Full Stops and Commas

In this topic you will understand and use full stops and commas correctly.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Use full stops to end sentences
  • Use commas in lists
  • Use commas after "yes" and "no" and when calling someone

What you already know

  • The full stop and the comma (Basic 2)

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Writing Conventions
Sub-strand
Punctuation
Indicator
B3.5.2.1.1-3 – Understand and use full stops and commas

Introduction

"Mother bought yam fish pepper and onions" is hard to read. Commas make it clear: "Mother bought yam, fish, pepper and onions."

1. The Full Stop

Use a full stop at the end of a sentence that tells something.

Example: We are going to the farm.

2. Uses of the Comma

Commas
UseExample
in a listI like rice, beans and plantain.
after yes or noYes, I will come.
when calling someoneKofi, come here.
Sentence strips with commas and full stops highlighted
Figure 1: Commas and full stops Copy the three sentences and circle the punctuation.Illustration: Sirbus

Tip: Commas and full stops work the same way when you write in your Ghanaian language.

New words

punctuation
Marks that make writing clear.
comma
A mark (,) that shows a short pause.
full stop
A mark (.) that ends a sentence.
list
Several things named one after another.

Summary

  • A full stop ends a sentence.
  • Commas separate items in a list.
  • Use a comma after yes or no and when calling someone.

Class activity: Punctuation Fix

  1. Read the sentence strips about local life.
  2. Add the missing commas and full stops with the punctuation cards.
  3. Read the sentences aloud with pauses.

You need: Locally made punctuation cards, Sentence strips about local life, Exercise books, Pencils

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. Which mark ends a sentence?

    • A. Full stop
    • B. Comma
    • C. Question
    • D. Space
    Show answer
    Answer: Full stopA full stop ends a sentence.

  2. 2. Where does the comma go in "No I am not tired"?

    • A. After No
    • B. After I
    • C. After am
    • D. After tired
    Show answer
    Answer: After No"No, I am not tired."

  3. 3. Commas separate items in a list.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueThat is one use.

  4. 4. "Ama come here." is punctuated correctly.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseIt should be "Ama, come here."

  5. 5. A mark that shows a short pause is a ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: commaThat is a comma.

  6. 6. Write a sentence with a list of three animals.

    Show answer
    Answer: E.g. I saw a goat, a hen and a dog.Commas separate the list.

Homework

  1. Write three sentences: one with a list, one starting with "Yes," and one calling someone.