ENGLI

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Punc
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Theor
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LANGUAGE

Co
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MsLa
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TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Punctuation Mark Name: Symbol Page

number:
1. The full stop (.)
. 4

2. Semi-colon (;)
; 5

3. The Ellipsis (…)

… 5

4. Comma (,)
, 6

5. Colon(:) 9

6. The Apostrophe (‘)

‘ 9

7. Speech marks: Direct speech ‘’ or ‘ 10

and quoting rules. (“)
8. Question mark ? 11
9. Exclamation mark ! 12
10. Brackets () 12

-
11. Dash 13

12. Hyphen 13
-
English – Grade 10 Punctuation All Rights Reserved.
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Welcome to this booklet on punctuation! We certainly hope that

it helps us all punctuate sentences properly.

Punctuation is the tool which unlocks excellent grades in English

Home Language. In fact, it improves all writing throughout many
languages and subjects.

These small rules can make a big difference to all writing.

A tip for punctuation, when writing, is to put yourself in the

reader’s shoes and pretend that the reader is reading this out
loud.

When reading a sentence you wrote, make sure the reader can:

1) Breathe. Are your sentences too long?

2) Allow for the sentence to flow. Is the sentence requiring the
reader to pause too often, thus creating a ‘stop-start’ or
stagnated effect?
3) See that the sentence makes sense. If you are writing, and then
suddenly quoting or using direct speech, then going back to
writing in the passive voice, this can confuse the meaning which
you aim to convey.

Punctuation marks are essential to all writing. Thus, let us take

a look at the rules…

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1.The Full Stop

These are the symbols that are used to separate sentences.

What is a sentence?

A sentence is one concept/ idea/ thought.

In order for the reader to understand what you are writing and trying to say, full sentences are important.

Capital letters are ALWAYS found straight after a full stop. Where are they also used?

Examples of short, full-sentences:

• We move.
• Let us persevere.
• Keep going.
• I believe in you.
• Dinner is ready.
• Let’s eat.

All of these sentences can stand on their own when we are speaking or writing. Hence, they are full
sentences.

Sentences which are not full: have no verb or subject, lack enough context for the sentence to make sense on
its own.

Examples of sentences which are not full:

• With gold.
• Has blue fabric.
• With all their might.

Examples of full sentences:

The girl caught the ball with her hand. The rest of the soccer team was not very happy!

I was thinking about what happened yesterday. Perhaps I should have done something differently.

Do you see how the sentences can each stand on their own? A full stop separates a collection of words that
can stand on their own.

A comma cannot do this.

Note that you should NOT use full stops when providing a title.
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2. Semi-colon (;)

• This symbol is used to separate two full sentences.

• Think of how we speak and the pauses that we take.

• This is a fantastic punctuation mark because there are often sentences that do not require a full-
stop to end them, because that pause is too long.

For example: You would find her in a polaroid picture; she means everything to me. (Dido lyrics from her
song: “She”).

Do a little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits put together that overwhelm the world. –
Desmond Tutu

3. Ellipsis…
This is what happens when there are three full stops in a row (…)

It adds suspense to a storyline. This is because it implies a ‘trailing off’ of the sentence; slowly but surely...

So this is how it ends.

So this is how it ends…

Do you see the difference?

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4.The Comma
The comma is arguably the most misused punctuation mark in English.

This small symbol can separate the A and B candidates whilst English teachers mark your paper.

So let us see how we use them…

You can use a comma when you are:

4. 1) Listing more than two parts of speech.

4.2) Using quotes or direct speech.

4.3) Using a coordinating conjunction in the middle of the sentence.

4.4) Adding extra information into a sentence.

4.5) Starting a sentence with brief context or a Conjunction.

4.1) Listing two or more parts of speech:

A comma can be used when one is constructing a list. When you think of a list, perhaps you think about ‘to do’
lists or a grocery list.

It should look like this:

• milk, eggs, sugar and bread.

However, one can list adjectives or verbs too.

Example:

The brilliant, helpful and smart teacher helped the fantastic, brave and (normally) shy student with a difficult
task.

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4.2 Using quotes or direct speech.

Commas should be used after introducing the speaker or quote.

For example:
• Emma said, “No, I don’t think I will.”

• Desmond Tutu declared, “What a wonderful day!”

If the direct speech is ‘split,’ use commas as follows:

e.g. “I don’t enjoy this space,” said Vincent, “there is not enough light.”

The general rule is:

Speech brackets surround/ frame all speech which is intended to be spoken. The quote should also be
‘framed.’

How can we punctuate this quote?

Do a little bit of good where you are it’s those little bits put together that overwhelm the world said Desmond
Tutu

How about this direct speech example?

“Lerato enough please” Emma signed “I can hardly hear myself think”

4.3 Commas and Coordinating Conjunctions

The part of speech which can separate two full sentences is called a: coordinating conjunction.

One way to remember these conjunctions is through the abbreviation:

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These conjunctions separate full sentences (main clauses), so at times it is necessary to let the reader pause to
understand what you are writing.

For example:

• They had never heard the news on the radio, nor had they believed it.

• Everything was changing, so they embraced what they saw.

• Either I am seeing things or that dog is climbing a tree!

4.4 Brief context to the sentence

As we tell a story, there are often little details which we want to add to sentences.

Often you are mid-sentence and want to add a note in order for you to help articulate yourself.

Example:
• I went to find camouflage clothing, on Friday at the mall, but I could not find any.

• The man, who in my mind is taller than a tree, walked past with a smile on his face.

4.5 Starting a sentence with brief context, a name or a conjunction:

A comma can assist when a pause is needed near the end of a sentence.
Remember that it cannot separate two full sentences, though.

Note where the commas are in these sentences:

• Before the fall, Sibulelo was confident when walking on rough ground.

• After the fall, she was a little shaken.

• Only, she did actually miss him when he is not around.

• Therefore, the rain in Spain does fall directly onto the plane.

• He lost his hat and the gloves that came with the outfit, however.

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• Moreover, one must not forget how we got here in the first place.

Therefore, I must go.

4.6 Commas and names:

Commas are also used after a name of a person or animal if this begins at the beginning of the sentence.

Example:
Zahra, please can you lend me a pencil?

Please can I borrow a pencil, Zahra?

5. The Colon ( : )
This is the punctuation mark that serves as an introduction.

One can use it to introduce a person or concept:

For example:
• Ladies and gentlemen: The Queen.
• There is only one love in my life: The University of Pretoria.

One can use it to introduce a list:

• To do today: try my best.

This symbol therefore allows for something to follow. It can be used for emphasis or introductions of some
sort.

6.The Apostrophe ( ‘ )

This symbol has two purposes: either for omission or possession.

6.1 Omission
When we speak, we often leave certain syllables out of sentences to help it flow a little easier.

For example, instead of saying, “Is it not cold outside?” one could say “Isn’t it cold outside.”
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Isn’t is quicker to say than “Is it not.” The apostrophe helps this to happen.
Examples of where omission take place include:
Wouldn’t, couldn’t shouldn’t, won’t, can’t and they’re.

6.2 Apostrophe used for possession:

An apostrophe helps the reader understand the ownership of something. It signifies who is in possession of
the object.

For example:
The cat’s food
The cats’ food.

• Here the apostrophe is helping us understand the relationship between the cat and the food. It is the cat’s
food so hence we read this and understand ownership.

• The apostrophe also helps us to see that there is either a singular (Cat’s) or multiple (Cats’) who possess
this food.

If the apostrophe is before the ‘s’ then it indicates a singular ownership.

Example: The girl’s water bottles.

If the apostrophe is after the ‘s,’ this signifies that multiple subjects take ownership of the object.
Example: The girls’ water bottles.

If the name already ends with an ‘s,’ the apostrophe has to go after the ‘s’ even if the possession is for a
singular person.
Example: Chris’ phone charger was left in the car.

7. Direct speech marks (“ ”) or (‘ ’)

• When writing, it is often a good idea to add dialogue from the characters and to have them speak
directly.

• This adds a lightness to the story and helps the reader see more into the way in which a character
articulates their thoughts. But, how do we punctuate a direct quote?

You do so by: surrounding the quote with the direct speech marks so that the reader understands what is
said.

• Note who is talking and try to use the correct, creative verb to describe how the sentence is said.

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• Use a comma and then open the speech marks. Then, when the quote is over, use punctuation to
pause/ end this sentence and close the speech marks.

For example:
Luvhani shouted, “Let’s eat cake!”
Or: “Let’s eat cake!” exclaimed Luvhani.
Or “How about,” uttered Luvhani, “We skip dinner and eat this cake.”

“Just like that, I do not feel hungry.” This is what Jake said as he walked down the bend…

(“ ”) or (‘ ’). Which one to choose?

You are allowed to use either a single speech mark or two when using direct speech.

“Could you help me?” asked Sandra

‘Could you help me?’ begged Sandra

These are both correct. However, there are two rules one must follow.

Firstly:
Be consistent. If you start with one speech bracket you should also end with one:

“Could you help me?’ whispered Sandra

Is INCORRECT.

Secondly:
If you are writing direct speech, whereby the speaker is quoting another, use the double speech marks first
and the singular speech marks within this quote. For example:

Thandi stated: “Today I remember a quote from Nelson Mandela which says that, ‘Education is the most
powerful tool with which we can change the world.’ Surely we can keep quite in class, then.”

8. Question marks (?)

• This punctuation mark is seen when you notice that a question is being asked.

• When someone is searching for an answer in the sentence, it is a question. It helps to look out for question
words such as:

Who? What? Where? How? When?

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It can also be seen in sentences such as:

• Are you really going to eat that?

• Is that seriously all that you have to say on the matter?

9. The Exclamation Mark (!)

This punctuation mark is to emphasize that strong emotion is being used. One is not simply talking calmly
when an exclamation mark is used.
For example,
• “Be quiet,” has different connotations to, “Be quiet!”

• “I am so happy I could cry,” is read differently to, “I am so happy, I could cry!”

In a punctuation test, any demand that is made must be coupled with an exclamation mark.
Examples of this are:
Mow the lawn!
Help!
Don’t drink and drive!

*This rule does not apply if the word ‘please’ is used.

When you see words such as: demanded, exclaimed, cried or yelled, you can note that an exclamation mark is
to follow.

However, exclamation marks can be used whenever you want others to understand that the emotional
connotation surrounding the sentence is strong.

10. Brackets ()

These add extra information which is not absolutely necessary.

It often helps the reader see the narrator’s character and it adds depth to the sentence.

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For example:

• She opened the fridge and ate the leftover cake (with a grin, might I add).

• The door (which had just been oiled) screaked open and frightened me!

• The baboon (or lion, judging by the size of it) came out of nowhere and tried to open my door!

• The baboon or lion judging by the size of it came out of nowhere and tried to open my door

11. Dash –
A dash can be used to indicate a pause.

For example:
• It’s going to be legend – wait for it – dary.
• I was going to hang on but – are you okay?”
• Oh – I didn’t see you there.
• Yes – yes that is the case.
• I remember that day. It was the 13th – no 14th of June.

A dash can also go before you start listing or pausing for emphasis.

For example:
• Ladies and gentleman – the queen!

12. Hyphen -
• A hyphen is a line which is similar to the dash but slightly shorter.

• The hyphen is used to link words which are normally separate.

For example: brother-in-law, warm-up, sign-in sheet.

Sometimes, when people get married, they hyphenate their name.

For example: Mr Martiningo-Grimm or Mrs Smith-Jones.

Well done for going through and learning the different rules of punctuation.