Commas with yes, no, and names
Use commas to set off the words yes and no, to set off tag questions, and to indicate direct address in sentences
What a learner can do afterwards
- Write sentences using commas with yes and no at the beginning such as 'Yes, I understand'
- Punctuate tag questions correctly such as 'It's cold today, isn't it?'
- Use commas to set off names in direct address such as 'Sarah, please pass the salt'
The lesson
Some words sit apart from the rest of a sentence, and a comma shows where they start or stop. Use a comma after yes or no at the start of a sentence, right before a small question tacked onto the end like isn't it?, and around a person's name when you are speaking straight to them.
Yes, I fed the dog. No, thank you. Both sentences begin with yes or no, so a comma follows that word before the rest of the sentence continues.
It's cold today, isn't it? You're coming, aren't you? A tag question is a small question added onto the end of a statement. A comma always goes right before it.
Read your sentence out loud. If you hear a small pause after yes or no, right before a tag question, or around a name you're speaking to, that pause is where the comma belongs.
Comma after yes or no, comma before a tag question, comma around a name you're speaking to.
Watch it
Where it sits
This opens up
Nothing builds on it yet.
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.