Writing mechanics · Intermediate (B1)
Punctuation
Use full stops, commas, apostrophes, colons, semicolons and capital letters correctly.
The rules
Full stop (.) ends a sentence; question mark (?) a direct question; exclamation mark (!) strong feeling — use rarely in formal writing.
Commas (,): in lists (tea, coffee and juice), after introductory words/clauses (However, … / When I got home, …), around non-defining clauses (My sister, who lives in Oslo, …), and before but/so joining two clauses.
Apostrophes (’): contractions (don’t, it’s) and possession (Anna’s, the students’). Never for plurals: photos, not photo’s. Its (possessive) has no apostrophe.
Colon (:) introduces a list or explanation: You need three things: a pen, paper and time. Semicolon (;) joins two closely related sentences: It was late; we went home.
Examples
- I visited Rome, Florence and Venice.
- If you need help, call me.
- The company’s profits rose; however, costs also increased.
- There’s one problem: we don’t have enough time.
Common mistakes
✗ I bought some apple’s.
✓ I bought some apples.
No apostrophe for plurals.
✗ Its a good idea.
✓ It’s a good idea.
it’s = it is.
✗ However the results were poor.
✓ However, the results were poor.
Comma after an introductory linker.
Practice
Correct the mistake in this sentence.
Quiz
1.We use an apostrophe to make nouns plural.
2.Where does the comma go? “When I arrived the shop was closed.”
3.Correct the punctuation (several students).
4.A semicolon can join…