PUNCTUATING A SENTENCE

MODULE 1 Cynthia C. James (SKK2)

CHECK!

Does the sentence starts with capital letter?

Is the sentence

Does it end

a statement?
a question? an exclamation?

with a full stop?

with a question mark? with an exclamation mark?

Does it have
capital letters for all proper nouns?

Does it need commas?

quotation marks?

Check out the general rules for commas! Check out the general rules for quotation marks!!

THE COMMA RULES

Rule 1: To separate items in a series.

Example:

I like to eat ice-cream doughnut fried chicken fried rice and noodles.
Put the commas:

I like to eat ice-cream , doughnut , fried chicken , fried rice and noodles.

THE COMMA RULES

Rule 2: To separate two ideas in a sentence.

Example 1:

I want to go to school but its raining.

Put the comma:

I want to go to school , but its raining.

THE COMMA RULES

Rule 2: To separate two ideas in a sentence.

Example 2:

The handbag is expensive yet it is worth it.

Put the comma:

The handbag is expensive, yet it is worth it.

THE COMMA RULES

Rule 3: After an opening phrase (time, logical connectors)

Example 1:

Last Monday we went to the zoo.

Put the comma:

Last Monday , we went to the zoo.

THE COMMA RULES

Rule 3: After an opening phrase (time, logical connectors)

Example 2:

In conclusion I think it is the best choice for my mother.

Put the comma:

In conclusion, I think it is the best choice for my mother.

DIRECT QUOTE - STATEMENT

My name is Ali , says Ali .

Full stop
Open inverted comma Capital letter comma Small letter Capital letter Close inverted comma

DIRECT QUOTE - EXCLAMATION

Congratulations ! he said .
Open inverted comma Capital letter Full stop Close inverted comma Small letter

Exclamation mark

PRACTICE 1

siti meet my sister alice Answer: Siti, meet my sister, Alice.

PRACTICE 2

excuse me is minah in Answer: Excuse me, is Minah in?

PRACTICE 3

congratulations you did well Answer: Congratulations! You did well.

PRACTICE 4

oh no we re locked out Answer: Oh no! Were locked out.

PRACTICE 5

what are the boys doing Answer: What are the boys doing?

PRACTICE 6

mum what s that smell Answer: Mum, whats that smell?

PRACTICE 7

oh no the cake is burning Answer: Oh no! The cake is burning.

PRACTICE 8

say cheese Answer: Say Cheese!

PRACTICE 9

wow what a beautiful building Answer: Wow! What a beautiful building.

PRACTICE 10

are these your pet Answer: Are these your pet?

PRACTICE 11

why are you crying Answer: Why are you crying?

PRACTICE 12

she asked may i join you Answer: She asked, May I join you?

PRACTICE 13

alice said my friend paul is a kind boy

Answer: Alice said, My friend, Paul, is a kind boy.

PRACTICE 14

help help shouted the frightened boy

Answer: Help! Help! shouted the frightened boy.

PRACTICE 15

oh dear i m so sorry
Answer: Oh dear! Im so sorry.

CHOOSE THE SENTENCE WITH THE CORRECT PUNCTUATIONS.

1. A we saw zebras, elephants and Pandas at the zoo B We saw zebras, elephants and pandas at the zoo. C we saw zebras, elephant and pandas at the Zoo.
Answer: B. We saw zebras, elephants and pandas at the zoo.
capital letter comma full stop

CHOOSE THE SENTENCE WITH THE CORRECT PUNCTUATIONS.

2. A B C D

my sister works in a court she is a lawyer said Aida. My sister works in a court. She is a lawyer said aida. My sister works in a court. She is a lawyer, said Aida. my sister works in a court. She is a lawyer said Aida.

Answer: C. My sister works in a court. She is a lawyer, said Aida.

capital letter full stop capital letter comma capital letter