Punctuation Marks Punctuation marks are signs such as full stops, commas and question marks. They are used in sentences to make their meaning clear.

Full stop (.) It is used at the end of a sentence. It is needed to divide up sentences so that we know where to pause. Example:  The children are playing in the garden.

Comma (,) We need a comma to separate items in a list. Example:  Riba needs paper, scissors and glue.

It is used after ‘yes’ and ‘no’. Example:  ‘Is this your house?’ ‘Yes, it is.’  ‘Do you like basketball?’ ‘No, I don’t like it very much.’

Question Mark (?) We put question mark at the end of a question, instead of a full stop. Example:  How many apples are left in the basket?

Exclamation Mark (!) An exclamation mark is used at the end of a sentence that shows a strong feeling like anger, surprise or fear. Example:  Wow! Nice catch!  Help! A monster!

Exclamation marks are used with orders. Example:  Be Quiet! They are also used for interjections. Example:

Apostrophe (`) It is used with noun to indicate ownership. Example:  This is my Dad’s desk. It is used to indicate missing letters. Example:  I’m (=am) trying to write a letter.

Quotation marks (‘’) or (“”) They are used to enclose what someone says (direct quote). Example:  ‘This bicycle is mine’, said Radha. They are used to suggest doubt or skepticism. Example:  You call this a “car”? I call it scrap metal.

Colon (:) It is used to indicate dialogue while writing a play or script. Example:  Punit: I love driving. It is used after words such as caution, wanted, or note. Example:  Caution: Wet Floor.

Capital Letters We use a capital letter for the first letter of the first word in a sentence. Example:  M y brother wears glasses.

We also use a capital letter for the first letter of the first word in direct speech. Example:  Rikky said, ‘I am little bit taller than you.’

The word ‘I’ is always written as a capital letter. Example:  I am really pleased with my horse.

We use a capital letter for the names of people and places. Example:  Rahul Dravid  The Himalayas

ASSESSMENT Rewrite with appropriate punctuation marks and capitals. A. i don’t know what shes planning B. on what grounds is she suing the management C. i wonder if I could borrow your headphone briefly D. ronny might win you never know do you E. hi called dev to a passerby can you help me F. is this your car asked the woman no sorry it isnt I answered G. what has happened complained grandma to common old-fashioned courtesy

ANSWER A. I don’t know what she’s planning. B. On what grounds is she suing the management? C. I wonder if I could borrow your headphone briefly? D. Ronny might win. You never know, do you? E. ‘Hi!’ called Dev to a passer-by. ‘Can you help me?’ F. ‘Is this your car?’ asked the woman. ‘No, sorry, it isn’t,’ I answered. G. ‘What has happened,’ complained Granma, ‘to common old-fashioned courtesy?’