Grammar worksheet teaching the use of parentheses, brackets, dashes, and commas to add extra information to sentences.

Here are the solutions for the exercises on the worksheet.

Challenge 1

Goal: Add parentheses (brackets, dashes, or commas) to separate the extra information.

1. Sentence: Jupiter the largest planet in the solar system has more than 75 moons.
* *Reasoning:* The phrase "the largest planet in the solar system" explains what Jupiter is. We can use commas here because it flows smoothly.
* *Answer:* Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, has more than 75 moons.

2. Sentence: I think my aunt who lives alone may be a spy.
* *Reasoning:* "who lives alone" adds detail about the aunt. Commas work best here to separate this description.
* *Answer:* I think my aunt, who lives alone, may be a spy.

3. Sentence: Zeph’s hair was ruined it was as tangled as a bush.
* *Reasoning:* The second part explains *how* it was ruined. A dash is great here to create a dramatic pause or emphasis. Brackets would also work.
* *Answer:* Zeph’s hair was ruined — it was as tangled as a bush.
* *(Alternative: Zeph’s hair was ruined (it was as tangled as a bush).)*

4. Sentence: The fire which was enormous and terrifying spread through the town.
* *Reasoning:* "which was enormous and terrifying" describes the fire. Since it's a long description in the middle of the sentence, commas help keep it clear.
* *Answer:* The fire, which was enormous and terrifying, spread through the town.

5. Sentence: My penguin really loves Jovsich which is very expensive.
* *Reasoning:* "which is very expensive" is an extra comment about Jovsich. A comma before "which" is the standard rule here. You could also use brackets if you want to hide the fact that it's expensive!
* *Answer:* My penguin really loves Jovsich, which is very expensive.
* *(Alternative: My penguin really loves Jovsich (which is very expensive).)*

6. Sentence: I had a dream that I was being chased by a Triceratops a type of dinosaur.
* *Reasoning:* "a type of dinosaur" explains what a Triceratops is. A dash works well here to attach the explanation at the end.
* *Answer:* I had a dream that I was being chased by a Triceratops — a type of dinosaur.

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Challenge 2

Goal: Add your own extra information into the sentences. (Note: There are many correct answers for these! Here are some examples.)

1. Sentence: Your new shoes \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ are covered in mud!
* *Idea:* Describe the shoes.
* *Answer:* Your new shoes (the bright red ones) are covered in mud!

2. Sentence: The teapot \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ cheerfully danced across the table.
* *Idea:* Describe the teapot or give it a name.
* *Answer:* The teapot — a magical ceramic one — cheerfully danced across the table.

3. Sentence: We did a sponsored silence \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ to raise money for charity.
* *Idea:* Explain when or why.
* *Answer:* We did a sponsored silence (last Tuesday at school) to raise money for charity.

4. Sentence: The city \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ was extremely busy \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
* *Idea:* Name the city and describe the noise or traffic.
* *Answer:* The city, London, was extremely busy — the traffic was terrible!

5. Sentence: The chicks \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ began to cheep loudly.
* *Idea:* Describe the chicks.
* *Answer:* The chicks (which had just hatched) began to cheep loudly.

6. Sentence: I need some ingredients \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, so can you go to the shop \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ for me?
* *Idea:* List the ingredients and specify which shop.
* *Answer:* I need some ingredients (flour, sugar, and eggs), so can you go to the shop (the one on Main Street) for me?