Punctuation guide
Brackets and dashes
Brackets, dashes and pairs of commas can all add extra information to a sentence. The sentence must still make sense if you take the extra part out.
The rules
When it's taught at school: Year 5.
- 1
Brackets around extra information
- The Romans (who invaded Britain in AD 43) built long, straight roads.
- 2
A pair of dashes does the same job, a little more loudly
- My sister – who never gets up early – was dressed by six.
- 3
A single dash adds a final thought or a surprise
- We opened the box – it was empty!
- 4
Test it: take the extra part out
If what's left is still a sentence, the brackets or dashes are in the right place.
- The Romans built long, straight roads.
Common mistakes
The castle (built in 1270 is open to visitors.
The castle (built in 1270) is open to visitors.
Brackets always come in pairs: one to open the extra information and one to close it.
My cousin – who is twelve, plays the drums.
My cousin – who is twelve – plays the drums.
Use the same mark at both ends: two dashes or two commas, not one of each.
Practise a little every day
The daily spelling workout ends with a short punctuation round at your child's level, and brings back the marks they miss.