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 This sentence has two meanings
• Can you explain to your partner how the punctuation creates a new meaning in
each sentence?

I said, “Let’s eat Auntie. I’m starving!”

I said, “Let’s eat, Auntie. I’m starving!”

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The use of punctuation changes the meaning

I said, “Let’s eat Auntie. I’m starving!”

Poor Auntie is dinner

in this sentence.

I said, “Let’s eat, Auntie. I’m starving!”

Now we’re having a

meal WITH Auntie!

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Create two meanings using punctuation choices

• Your turn. Here is a sentence with

important punctuation missing.

• Can you create two sentences with

different meanings?

The car has broken down let’s push Auntie.

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Did the punctuation change the meaning?

The car has broken down. Let’s push Auntie.

Looks like poor Auntie’s

having a bad day again!

The car has broken down. Let’s push, Auntie.

Ah! Now we’re going to

push the car with Auntie.

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Create two meanings using punctuation choices

• Here is another sentence with

important punctuation missing.

• Can you create two sentences with

different meanings?

Without asking Karen Tom and Abdul went to the beach.

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How does the punctuation change the meaning?

Without asking Karen, Tom and Abdul went to the beach.

When there is only one comma,

the sentence means…

Without asking, Karen, Tom and Abdul went to the beach.

When there are two commas,

the sentence means…

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 Clarify meanings using punctuation choices

• Add two commas to this sentence

to change its meaning.

“Stop touching that fool before you

damage it!” the shopkeeper said.

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How does the punctuation change the meaning?

“Stop touching that, fool, before you

damage it!” the shopkeeper said.

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