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At the Tool Library: Commas for Yes, No, Names and Tags

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At the Tool Library: Commas for Yes, No, Names and Tags

Use commas to set off yes and no, tag questions and the names of people being spoken to.

Read the play

A comma sets off three kinds of words in a sentence:
Yes or no at the start of an answer: Yes, I can carry the toolbox.
A tag question, a short question added to the end of a sentence: The saw is sharp, isn't it?
Direct address, the name of the person being spoken to: Samir, hold the board. or Hold the board, Samir.
Read the play. Its lines are numbered.

Saturday at the Tool Library

1NARRATOR: The Maple Ridge Tool Library sits in a small brick building beside the community center. Neighbors come here to borrow hammers, ladders and garden tools, the same way people borrow books from a library. Inez, a fifth grader, helps at the front counter on Saturday mornings.

2MR. ODUYA: Good morning, Inez. Could you help me put the returned tools back on their shelves?

3INEZ: Yes, I'd be glad to. The wheelbarrow goes beside the back door, doesn't it?

4MR. ODUYA: It does. Be careful with it, though. One handle is loose, and I plan to tighten it this afternoon.

5NARRATOR: The bell over the door jingles, and Mrs. Kowalski walks in holding a shopping list.

6MRS. KOWALSKI: Good morning! I need to borrow a ladder today. My gutters are stuffed with wet leaves.

7INEZ: Welcome, Mrs. Kowalski. We have a short ladder and a tall ladder. Your house is only one story, isn't it?

8MRS. KOWALSKI: No, it has two stories. I'll need the tall one.

9MR. ODUYA: Then please bring a helper, Mrs. Kowalski. A tall ladder is safer when someone holds it steady at the bottom.

10MRS. KOWALSKI: My grandson is visiting this week, so he can hold it for me. Thank you, Mr. Oduya.

11NARRATOR: As Inez writes down the ladder's number, Samir comes in carrying a drill case.

12SAMIR: I'm here to return this drill. Inez, should I put it on the counter or in the bin?

13INEZ: On the counter, please. You built a birdhouse with it, didn't you?

14SAMIR: I sure did. It's hanging on our fence now, and a pair of wrens moved in on Tuesday!

15MR. ODUYA: Wonderful! Did you bring back the drill bits too?

16SAMIR: Yes, they're right here in my jacket pocket.

17NARRATOR: After Samir leaves, Inez checks the shelf where broken tools wait to be fixed.

18INEZ: Mr. Oduya, this shovel has a crack in its handle. We can't lend it out like this, can we?

19MR. ODUYA: No, we can't. Put a red tag on it, and we'll repair it together next Saturday.

1.
Read line 8. Why is there a comma after the word No?
Question 1 options
2.
These sentences come from the play. Underline the three sentences that use a comma to set off the name of the person being spoken to.

3.
Each sentence from the play has one comma. Sort the sentences by the job that comma does.
4.
Read line 18. Inez uses two commas. Which choice tells the job of each comma?
Question 4 options

Fix the commas

Later that day, Inez wrote down some things people said at the counter. Help her check and fix the commas.

5.
Each sentence is missing one comma. Write the word that should come right before the missing comma.

a. No the hedge trimmer is not back yet.
Word before the comma:
b. Please sign your name on this line Mr. Brooks.
Word before the comma:
c. These work gloves are yours aren't they?
Word before the comma:
d. Ms. Tran the rake you asked for is ready.
Word before the comma:

6.
Inez wants to say this to Mr. Oduya. Which sentence uses commas correctly?
Question 6 options
7.
None of these sentences has a comma yet. Which one is correct just as it is?
Question 7 options
8.
Look closely at each comma. Sort the sentences.

Write it yourself

Use commas to set off yes and no, tag questions and names.

9.
Mr. Oduya left this note for Inez, but he forgot the commas. Rewrite it with commas in the right places.
Inez the hand saw needs a new blade doesn't it?
10.
Write two sentences that Inez might say to a neighbor at the counter. Begin one sentence with yes or no. In the other sentence, speak to the neighbor by name and end with a tag question. Use commas correctly.