Punctuation Flashcards
Which punctuation mark is always used to start a sentence?
Capital letters
Which punctuation marks can be used to end a sentence?
Full stop, question mark, exclamation mark
When is it appropriate to use a capital letter?
- To start a sentence
- For proper nouns and proper adjectives
- The main words in titles of books, films or plays are written in capital letters
- The first word in direct speech is capitalised
What is the purpose of a full stop?
A full stop indicates the end of a sentence
Which punctuation mark is found after certain abbreviations?
The full stop
Correct the capital letter punctuation in the sentences below:
- we bought popcorn during intermission.
- we visited mexico.
- we participated in the mexican wave.
- lord of the flies
- the teacher asked, “is anyone absent today?”
- We bought popcorn during intermission.
- We visited Mexico.
- We participated in the Mexican wave.
- Lord of the Flies
- The teacher asked, “Is anyone absent today?”
What is the comma splice error?
Using a comma between two main clauses is referred to as a comma splice error.
Discuss 5 instances in which we use a comma.
- We use commas to separate words or phrases in a list.
- Commas indicate where one phrase or clause ends and another begins.
- Additional information, that could have been inserted in brackets or between dashes, may be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma or commas
- We place commas before and after words such as however and nevertheless.
- Introductory words or phrases are separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma.
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
we bought books pens pencils and erasers for the new school year
We bought books, pens, pencils and erasers for the new school year.
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
andre agassi won his tennis match to the delight of the spectators
Andre Agassi won his tennis match, to the delight of the spectators.
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
she obtained an excellent result a full house of seven distinctions
She obtained an excellent result, a full house of seven distinctions.
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
mr jenkins the principal addressed the pupils and parents
Mr Jenkins, the Principal, addressed the pupils and parents.
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
she was however late for the appointment and this caused her to miss the interview
She was, however, late for the appointment and this caused her to miss the interview.
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
once again i was ignored by the panel of judges
Once again, I was ignored by the panel of judges.
Which of the following examples is punctuated correctly?
- Census was taken, the government needed statistics.
- Census was taken. The government needed statistics.
Example 2
Which punctuation mistake was made in the sentence below?
Census was taken, the government needed statistics.
The comma splice error
Identify the punctuation mark shown in brackets below:
.
Full stop
Identify the punctuation mark shown in brackets below:
,
Comma
Identify the punctuation mark shown in brackets below:
A
Capital letter
Identify the punctuation mark shown in brackets below:
;
Semi-colon
Identify the punctuation mark shown in brackets below:
:
Colon
Identify the punctuation mark shown in brackets below:
!
Exclamation mark
Identify the punctuation mark shown in brackets below:
?
Question mark
Identify the punctuation mark shown in brackets below:
“ “ ) or ( ‘ ‘
Inverted commas or quotation marks
Identify the punctuation mark shown in brackets below:
( )
Parenthesis or brackets
Identify the punctuation mark shown in brackets below:
-
Hyphen or dash depending on the length
Identify the punctuation mark shown in brackets below:
…
Ellipses
When is a semi-colon used?
- The semi-colon is a long pause that balances two equally important, related or parallel ideas.
- It also indicates opposite ideas (antithesis).
- It joins two main clauses where there is no conjunction.
- A semi-colon may often be replaced with a full stop or by the conjunctions and, but, so, for and although.
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
she went by train she would rather have flown
She went by train; she would rather have flown.
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
in summer she swims in winter she skates
In summer she swims; in winter she skates.
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
she worked hard for the examinations she had nothing to fear
She worked hard for the examinations; she had nothing to fear.
OR
She worked hard for the examinations. She had nothing to fear.
Why is the first letter of the sentence below capitalised?
We bought popcorn during intermission.
It is capitalised because the first letter of every sentence must be a capital.
Why do we capitalise the word ‘Mexico’?
Mexico is capitalised because it is a proper noun.
Why is the word ‘Mexican’ capitalised?
Mexican is capitalised because it is a proper adjective.
Explain why there are two capitals in the phrase below:
Lord of the Flies
There are two capitals because it is a book title and the main words in book titles are always capitalised.
Why is the word ‘is’ capitalised in the sentence below:
The teacher asked, “Is anyone absent today?”
The word is capitalised because it is the first word in a direct speech quote.
Why do we place a full stop at the end of a sentence?
To indicate that the sentence is complete.
Why do we use commas?
To indicate a short pause between words.
What is the purpose of the comma or commas in the sentence below:
We bought books, pens, pencils and erasers for the new school year.
The commas are used to separate the words in a list.
What is the purpose of the comma or commas in the sentence below:
Andre Agassi won his tennis match, to the delight of the spectators.
The comma indicates where one phrase ends and another begins.
What is the purpose of the comma or commas in the sentence below:
She obtained an excellent result, a full house of seven distinctions.
The comma indicates where one phrase ends and another begins.
What is the purpose of the comma or commas in the sentence below:
Mr Jenkins, the Principal, addressed the pupils and parents.
It separates additional information from the rest of the sentence.
What is the purpose of the comma or commas in the sentence below:
She was, however, late for the appointment and this caused her to miss the interview.
The commas separate the word ‘however’ from the rest of the sentence.
What is the purpose of the comma or commas in the sentence below:
Once again, I was ignored by the panel of judges.
The comma separates the introductory words from the rest of the sentence.
What is the purpose of the semi-colon in the sentence below:
She went by train; she would rather have flown.
The semi-colon is a long pause that balances two equally important, related or parallel ideas
What is the purpose of the semi-colon in the sentence below:
In summer she swims; in winter she skates.
The semi-colon indicates opposite ideas.
What is the purpose of the semi-colon in the sentence below:
She worked hard for the examinations; she had nothing to fear.
The semi-colon joins two main clauses where there is no conjunction.
Which two things can be used to replace a semi-colon?
A semi-colon may often be replaced with a full stop or by the conjunctions and, but, so, for and although.
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
i need to buy the following items lettuce tomatoes cucumbers and carrots
I need to buy the following items: lettuce, tomatoes and carrots.
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
jf kennedys famous words are ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can for your country
J.F. Kennedy’s famous words are: “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”
Correct the punctuation in the sentences below:
mrs brown are you going to the debutante ball
cathy if i find a partner
Mrs Brown: Are you going to the Debutante Ball?
Cathy: If I find a partner.
What is the purpose of the colon in the sentence below?
I need to buy the following items: lettuce, tomatoes and carrots.
The colon indicates that a list is following.
What is the purpose of the colon in the sentence below?
J.F. Kennedy’s famous words are: “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”
The colon introduces a quotation.
What is the purpose of the colon in the sentence below?
Mrs Brown: Are you going to the Debutante Ball?
Cathy: If I find a partner.
The colon following the speaker indicates that it is a written dialogue (script).
Name three situations in which you would need to use a colon.
- The colon indicates that a list, an explanation or an idea is following.
- It introduces a quotation.
- In script writing (dialogue), a colon follows the speaker.
Discuss two instances in which you need to use a question mark.
- Question marks occur at the end of a question.
2. Rhetorical questions end in question marks.
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
who won the oscar for best actor this year
“Who won the Oscar for Best Actor this year?”
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
why do we need an education
Why do we need an education?
What is the purpose of the question mark in the sentence below?
“Who won the Oscar for Best Actor this year?”
The question mark indicates that the sentence is a request for information.
Discuss four situations in which you would need to use an exclamation mark.
- Exclamation marks follow exclamations or interjections (interruptions).
- They are used to accentuate and strengthen the tone of a statement.
- They are often introduced by the verbs yelled, shouted, exclaimed and commanded.
- They are used after sentences, phrases or words containing emotions such as anger, fear, happiness, anxiety, shock and misery.
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
ouch
Ouch!
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
i am so scared
I am so scared!
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
the lieutenant yelled attention
The Lieutenant yelled, ‘Attention!’
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
I’m petrified whispered the frightened woman
“I’m petrified!” whispered the frightened woman.
What is the purpose of the exclamation mark in the sentence below?
Ouch!
The exclamation mark follows the exclamation to emphasize the emotion being expressed.
What is the purpose of the exclamation mark in the sentence below?
I am so scared!
The exclamation mark is used to accentuate and strengthen the tone of the statement.
What is the purpose of the exclamation mark in the sentence below?
The Lieutenant yelled, ‘Attention!’
The exclamation mark are often introduced by the verbs yelled, shouted, exclaimed and commanded.
What is the purpose of the exclamation mark in the sentence below?
“I’m petrified!” whispered the frightened woman.
The exclamation mark is used after sentences, phrases or words containing emotions such as anger, fear, happiness, anxiety, shock and misery.
Discuss 5 situations in which you would use quotation marks (inverted commas).
- Quotation marks are used to indicate Direct Speech.
- Quotation marks are used to quote someone else’s words.
- Single quotation marks were traditionally used to indicate the titles of books and films. In modern usage, however, these titles are often underlined.
- Quotation marks are used to ‘excuse’ oneself for using slang or foreign words.
- Quotation marks indicate metaphoric usage.
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
mr thompson said there will be no homework over this weekend
Mr Thompson said, “There will be no homework over this weekend.”
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
martin luther king said i have a dream
Martin Luther King said, “I have a dream!”
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
little women by louisa m alcott made headlines today
‘Little Women’ by Louisa M. Alcott made headlines today.
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
our new station wagon is used for schlepping the soccer team
Our new station wagon is used for ‘schlepping’ the soccer team.
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
i am the baby of the family
I am the ‘baby’ of the family.
What is the purpose of the quotation marks (inverted commas) in the sentence below?
Mr Thompson said, “There will be no homework over this weekend.”
Quotation marks are used to indicate Direct Speech.
What is the purpose of the quotation marks (inverted commas) in the sentence below?
Martin Luther King said, “I have a dream!”
Quotation marks are used to quote someone else’s words.
What is the purpose of the quotation marks (inverted commas) in the sentence below?
‘Little Women’ by Louisa M. Alcott made headlines today.
Single quotation marks were traditionally used to indicate the titles of books and films.
What is the purpose of the quotation marks (inverted commas) in the sentence below?
Our new station wagon is used for ‘schlepping’ the soccer team.
Quotation marks are used to ‘excuse’ oneself for using slang or foreign words.
What is the purpose of the quotation marks (inverted commas) in the sentence below?
I am the ‘baby’ of the family.
Quotation marks indicate metaphoric usage.
When do we use parenthesis?
When something is written in parenthesis or brackets, it is usually an explanation, an aside or some additional information.
What can be used to replace parenthesis?
Commas or dashes
Correct the punctuation in the sentence below:
the chihuahua the smallest dog in the world can fit into a teacup
The Chihuahua (the smallest dog in the world) can fit into a teacup. The Chihuahua, the smallest dog in the world, can fit into a teacup. The Chihuahua - the smallest dog in the world - can fit into a teacup.
Discuss 4 situations in which a hyphen is used.
- A hyphen links prefixes to words, or links two words in order to form compound words.
- It helps to differentiate meanings.
- In order to facilitate spelling and pronunciation, a hyphen is inserted if a prefix ends in a vowel and the word joined to the prefix begins with the same vowel.
- Words that cannot be completed on one line are linked to the next line with a hyphen.
What is the difference between a hyphen and a dash?
A dash is slightly longer than a hyphen.
Discuss 4 situations in which a dash is used.
- A dash separates parts of a sentence and forces us to pause.
- In order to give additional information the dash can be used in the same way as commas or brackets.
- It separates a comment or afterthought from the rest of the sentence.
- It creates dramatic pause, leading to a climax or anti-climax.
What purpose does the hyphen serve in the words below?
anti-dandruff shampoo, pre-school, well-deserved
The hyphen links prefixes to words, or links two words in order to form compound words.
What purpose does the hyphen serve in the words below?
co-opt, re-examine, no-one
In order to facilitate spelling and pronunciation, a hyphen is inserted if a prefix ends in a vowel and the word joined to the prefix begins with the same vowel.
What purpose does the dash serve in the sentence below?
There’s more to school than a syllabus - life-skills, friendships and sportsmanship are gained along the way.
The dash separates parts of a sentence and forces us to pause.
What purpose does the dash serve in the sentence below?
Next week we are going to Port Elizabeth - the Windy City.
The dash is used in the same way as commas or brackets in order to give additional information.
What purpose does the dash serve in the sentence below?
I checked and there was no-one there - or so I thought!
It separates a comment or afterthought from the rest of the sentence.
What purpose does the dash serve in the sentence below?
I ran to the window; I looked out and saw - the cat!
It creates dramatic pause, leading to a climax or anti-climax.
How are bullets used in modern English?
Bullets are used to itemize points in a simple and visual manner.
Bullets help to avoid the use of numbers and letters to itemize lists.
Bullets use partial sentences to save time and space.
Bullets allow you to omit punctuation as sentences are incomplete.
What purpose does ellipsis serve?
The three ellipsis dots indicate that a sentence is incomplete or that something has been omitted.
Why do we use italics?
Italics is used to highlight and emphasize certain words or phrases such as titles and foreign words.
What is the purpose of the apostrophe?
The apostrophe indicates contraction or shows possession (ownership).
What is a contraction?
We often join two words for informality and in the process, one or more letters are omitted.
The apostrophe shows where these letters have been removed.
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
I am
I’m
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
I have
I’ve
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
I had
I’d
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
I shall
I’ll
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
You are
You’re
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
You have
You’ve
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
You had
You’d
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
You will
You’ll
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
We are
We’re
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
We have
We’ve
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
We had
We’d
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
We shall
We’ll
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
They are
They’re
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
They have
They’ve
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
They had
They’d
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
They will
They’ll
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
Have not
Haven’t
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
Must not
Mustn’t
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
Could not
Couldn’t
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
Would not
Wouldn’t
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
Can not
Can’t
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
Will not
Won’t
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
Do not
Don’t
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
Would have
Would’ve
Turn the phrase below into a contraction:
Should have
Should’ve
Discuss 6 rules for using an apostrophe to show possession.
- If the owner is singular, the apostrophe comes immediately after the singular form of the noun.
- If the owners are plural, the apostrophe is placed after the plural form of the noun.
- If a name or word ends in an s, we add an ‘s.
- If a biblical or classical name ends in an s, we simply add an apostrophe.
- If a common noun ends in ss we add an ‘s.
- If the word is already in a plural form we add an ‘s.
Which 3 cases do not take apostrophes to indicate possession?
- Possessive pronouns like ours, theirs and yours.
- Abbreviations like VIPs, CEOs and MDs.
- Plural dates like the 1960s and 1970s.
