Sara Pomés

Punctuation Rules

1. Periods (.)

- Use a period at the end of a declarative sentence.

- Use a period after an abbreviation (e.g., Dr., Inc., etc.).

2. Commas (,)

- Use commas to separate items in a list.

- Use commas before conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) when connecting
independent clauses.

- Use commas after introductory elements (e.g., phrases or clauses).

- Use commas to set off non-essential clauses or phrases.

3. Semicolons (;)

- Use semicolons to connect closely related independent clauses not joined by a conjunction.

- Use semicolons to separate items in a complex list that already contains commas.

4. Colons (:)

- Use a colon to introduce a list or explanation.

- Use a colon before a quotation or a statement that explains the preceding clause.

5. Quotation Marks (“ ”)

- Use quotation marks to indicate direct speech or a quotation.

- Use quotation marks around titles of short works (e.g., articles, poems, short stories).

6. Apostrophes (’)

- Use apostrophes to show possession (e.g., the cat’s toy).

- Use apostrophes in contractions to indicate omitted letters (e.g., don’t for do not).

7. Question Marks (?)

- Use a question mark at the end of a direct question.

 Sara Pomés

8. Exclamation Marks (!)

- Use an exclamation mark to express strong feelings or emphasis.

Exercises

Exercise 1: Periods

Write a sentence for each of the following statements, ensuring to end each with a period.

1. Describe your favorite hobby. I love reading novels.

2. Share an interesting fact about yourself. I am the oldest of three siblings.

3. Write about a memorable trip you took. This September I visited six countries within ten
days.

4. Discuss a book that changed your perspective. When I was younger I couldn’t put down
Geronimo Stilton’s collection.

5. Name your favorite food. If I could, I would always eat risotto.

6. Explain why you enjoy a particular sport. I find running quite enjoyable as you can be on
your own and disconnect.

7. Talk about your dream job. I’d love to work on an editorial and read books as part of my job.

8. Share a goal you want to achieve. I want to write a song.

9. Describe your ideal weekend. Waking up late, sunny day, not having many responsibilities,
going out with my friends in the afternoon and night, going to sleep late.

10. Write about a person who inspires you. I really look up to my father and mother, they have
created a very ideal life together.

Exercise 2: Commas

Insert commas where necessary in the following sentences:

1. I enjoy reading, hiking, cooking, and painting.

2. After dinner, we went for a walk in the park.

3. My sister, who is a doctor, lives in Boston.

4. I wanted to go to the concert, but I had too much homework.

5. On Saturday, I plan to go shopping, go to the movies, and visit my grandparents.

6. To be honest, I didn’t think it would work.

7. The car, which was red, was parked outside.

8. If you want to succeed, you must work hard.

9. She studied hard, but she still failed the test.

 Sara Pomés

10. In the summer, I like to swim bike and hike.

Exercise 3: Semicolons

Combine the following pairs of sentences using semicolons:

1. I have a big exam tomorrow; I can’t go out tonight.

2. She loves cooking Italian food; but her brother prefers Chinese cuisine.

3. We visited Paris, France; we also saw London, England.

4. I enjoy hiking in the mountains; my sister prefers relaxing on the beach.

5. He is a talented musician; he plays several instruments.

6. The movie was long; but I didn’t feel bored.

7. The weather was perfect for a picnic; we decided to go to the park.

8. I love reading; my brother enjoys playing video games.

9. The restaurant was closed; we had to find another place to eat.

10. I wanted to go for a walk; however, it started raining.

Exercise 4: Colons

Complete the following sentences using colons where appropriate:

1. You will need the following items for the picnic: sandwiches, drinks, and dessert.

2. The ingredients for the cake are: flour, sugar, and eggs.

3. She has three pets: a dog, a cat, and a hamster.

4. There are two options for dinner: pizza or pasta.

5. Remember the following: keep your room clean, do your homework, and be polite.

6. The rules are simple: no talking, no texting, and no eating.

7. I have one goal this summer: to travel to Europe.

8. The speaker’s main points are: education, experience, and enthusiasm.

9. He offered a solution: we should all work together.

10. There are two things I can’t stand: rudeness and dishonesty.

Exercise 5: Quotation Marks

Add quotation marks where necessary in the following sentences:

1. He said he loves the song “Bohemian Rhapsody”.

 Sara Pomés

2. My teacher always says, “Practice makes perfect”.

3. She asked, “where are you going”?

4. I can’t believe you read the article “The Benefits of Exercise”.

5. The book titled “The Great Gatsby” is my favorite.

6. He shouted, “watch out for the car”!

7. She whispered, “I’ll meet you at noon”.

8. The poem “If You Forget Me” is beautiful.

9. He replied, “I’ll help you with that project”.

10. My dad often says, “the early bird catches the worm”.

Exercise 6: Apostrophes

Insert apostrophes where needed in the following sentences:

1. The dogs’ toys are scattered all over the yard.

2. It’s time to go to the store.

3. Sarah’s and John’s birthday is next week.

4. The cat licked its paws.

5. You should have seen how the students reacted.

6. He couldn’t find his keys.

7. The students’ book is on the table.

8. This is the teacher’s lounge.

9. The team won its first game.

10. The girls’ basketball team is practicing today.

Exercise 7: Question Marks

Rewrite the following statements as questions:

1. You are coming to the party. Are you coming to the party?

2. She finished her homework. Did she finish her homework?

3. We will meet at the café. Will we meet at the café?

4. They like to play soccer. Do they like to play soccer?

5. He can join us for dinner. Can he join us for dinner?

6. You enjoyed the movie. Did you enjoy the movie?

 Sara Pomés

7. The dog is barking. Is the dog barking?

8. She is going to the concert. Is she going to the concert?

9. They will arrive on time. Will they arrive on time?

10. He knows the answer. Does he know the answer?

Exercise 8: Exclamation Marks

Rewrite the following sentences with exclamation marks where appropriate:

1. I can’t believe we won the game!

2. That was an amazing concert!

3. Watch out for the car!

4. I’m so excited for the trip!

5. What a beautiful day!

6. You did a fantastic job!

7. Hurry up before we miss the train!

8. I love this song!

9. That’s incredible news!

10. Don’t forget to call me!