English: punctuation

Punctuation questions test whether you can use commas, apostrophes, speech marks, colons and semicolons to make meaning clear. Each mark has a specific job.

What is tested

Commas in lists, clauses and after openers
Apostrophes for possession and contraction
Speech marks, colons, semicolons, brackets and dashes

Worked example

Punctuate: the childrens toys were scattered across the floor

'Children' is already plural, so the possessive is children's.
Add a capital T at the start and a full stop at the end.

Answer: The children's toys were scattered across the floor.

Exam-day checklist

Ask: is the apostrophe showing possession or a missing letter?
A semicolon joins two complete, related sentences.
A colon introduces a list or explanation after a complete sentence.
When speech ends a sentence or is followed by a reporting clause, its punctuation (comma, full stop, question mark) usually goes inside the closing speech marks: "Stop," she said.

Common mistakes

Using an apostrophe for a simple plural (apple's).
Using a comma where a full stop or semicolon is needed.
Putting the question mark outside the speech marks.

Try it yourself

1. Which is correct: 'The dogs bone' or 'The dog's bone' (one dog)?

Show answer

The dog's bone

One dog owns the bone, so the apostrophe comes before the s.

2. Join with a semicolon: 'It was late' / 'nobody wanted to leave'.

Show answer

It was late; nobody wanted to leave.

Both parts are complete sentences that are closely linked.

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