3. Punctuation

Question 1

What is the difference between a full stop and a comma?

Answer 1

Full stops are used to separate sentences, each of which should make complete sense on its own.

Commas are used:

• to separate items in a list
• to separate clauses
• to separate groups of words which are in the middle of the main sentence
• before expressions like ‘don’t you?’
• when addressing a person by name
• to separate direct speech from the rest of the sentence

Question 2

Correct this sentence:

She entered the library, it was crowded with people, she didn’t know any of them and she wished she’d stayed at home, she felt so lonely.

Answer 2

She entered the library. It was crowded with people. She didn’t know any of them and she wished she’d stayed at home. She felt so lonely.

Question 3

When separating items in a list with commas, what must the last item be preceded by?

Answer 3

The last item in a list must be preceded by ‘and’.

Question 4

Give an example of a sentence using commas to separate clauses in a list.

Answer 4

e.g.

Kit was listening to her Walkman, David was trying to do his homework, Mum was feeding the baby and Dad was reading the paper.

Question 5

What is wrong with the following sentence, and how would you correct it?

The sea was calm, the sun was shining, the beach was empty, Anne felt at peace with the world.

Answer 5

That sentence is wrong as there is a comma after ‘empty’ instead of ‘and’.

It can be corrected as follows:

The sea was calm, the sun was shining, the beach was empty and Anne felt at peace with the world.

Question 6

How would you use a comma in a sentence that starts with a conjunction?

Answer 6

If you begin a sentence with a conjunction, use a comma to separate the first clause from the second.

e.g.

Because it was raining, we stayed inside.

As the sun set, the sky glowed red.

Question 7

Look at the following sentence:

Clive, who had just changed schools, found it difficult to adjust to his new surroundings.

Why put commas around the clause ‘who had just changed schools’?

Answer 7

Clive, who had just changed schools, found it difficult to adjust to his new surroundings.

‘Clive’ is the subject of the sentence and ‘who had just changed schools’ says a little more about him so therefore it is enclosed by comas. It is a dependent clause.

Question 8

What can happen if commas are left out of a sentence?

Answer 8

If commas are missed out, the sense of the sentence is sometimes lost or it has to be read twice.

Sometimes the meaning can be changed by the placing of the comma.

e. g.
* As mentioned, first impressions can be misleading.*
* As mentioned first, impressions can be misleading.*

Question 9

How would you use a comma in a sentence that ends with an expression like ‘do you?’ or ‘isn’t it?’

Answer 9

A comma is always used before expressions like ‘do you?’, ‘don’t you?’, ‘isn’t it?’, ‘won’t you?’.

e. g.
* You will come to the play, won’t you?*
* I’d love to. It’s by Alan Ayckbourn, isn’t it?*

Question 10

How would you use a comma when addressing a person by name?

Answer 10

e.g.

• ‘Do be quiet, Sarah.’*
• ‘John, where are you?’*

Question 11

How would you use a comma in a sentence with direct speech?

Answer 11

Always use a comma to separate direct speech from the rest of the sentence unless a question mark or an exclamation mark has been used.

e. g.
* He pleaded, ‘Let’s go to McDonalds.’*
* ‘I can’t,’ she replied.*

Question 12

How can a semi-colon be used? (3)

Answer 12

A semi-colon can be used:

• to separate two or more statements which follow naturally on from one another
• to emphasise a statement
• to emphasise a contrast

Question 13

Semi-colons can be used when you don’t feel like you need a full stop.

Demonstrate how you would use them to separate two or more statements which follow naturally on from one another.

Answer 13

e. g.
* It was growing very dark; there was obviously a storm brewing.*

(The idea of ‘a storm’ follows closely the ‘growing very dark’.)

The storm clouds gathered; the rain started to fall; the thunder rolled; the lightning flashed.

Question 14

Demonstrate how you would use a semi-colon to emphasise a statement.

Answer 14

e. g.
* The thieves had done a good job; every drawer and cupboard had been ransacked.*

In this example, the strength of the second statement would have been weakened if a conjunction had been used instead of a semi-colon, e.g. The thieves had done a good job because every drawer and cupboard had been ransacked.

Question 15

Demonstrate how you would use a semi-colon to emphasise a contrast.

Answer 15

e. g.
* Kate may go to the disco; you may not.*

In this example, ‘you may not’ stands out starkly because it stands alone.

Question 16

Explain the two purposes for which a colon can be used.

Answer 16

A colon can

• introduce a list of statements
• show two statements reinforcing each other

Question 17

Demonstrate how to use a colon to introduce a list of statements.

Answer 17

e.g.

There are three good reasons why you got lost: you had no map, it was dark and you have no sense of direction.

Question 18

Demonstrate how to use a colon to show two statements reinforcing each other.

Answer 18

e.g.

Your punctuation is weak: you must learn when to use full stops.

Question 19

What are dashes used for?

Answer 19

Dashes are used for emphasis.
What is said between dashes - or after the dash if there is only one - is more emphatic than if there were no dash.

Question 20

Demonstrate how you would break a sentence in the middle to make an added point for emphasis.

Answer 20

With dashes:

e. g.
* Janice, Elaine, Maureen, Elsie - in fact all the girls - can go on the trip to London.*

Question 21

Demonstrate how you would make an added point for emphasis at the end of a sentence.

Answer 21

With a dash:

e. g.
* This is the second time you have not done your English homework - or any of your homework.*

Question 22

Demonstrate how you would use a question mark or exclamation mark in direct speech.

Answer 22

If you are using direct speech, the question mark or exclamation mark takes the place of the comma and is always placed inside the inverted commas.

e. g.
* ‘When is your interview?’ asked Lucy.*
* ‘I don’t believe it!’ he exclaimed.*

Question 23

Why should exclamation marks be used rarely?

Answer 23

The exclamation mark loses its impact if overused. It shouldn’t be used for emphasis; your choice of words should be sufficient.

Question 24

When is an exclamation mark used? (3)

Answer 24

An exclamation mark is used

• in direct speech, when the speaker is exclaiming, e.g. ‘I can’t reach it!’ she cried.
• if the word ‘exclaimed’ is used, e.g. ‘I don’t believe it!’ he exclaimed.
• where there is an element of irony in the statement, e.g. Jean’s Christmas card arrived a year late. It had been on a trip round the world! What is said is not literally true but is said to make a point.