Class 4 English Grammar – Punctuation

PUNCTUATION

DEFINITION

• Punctuation is used to create sense, clarity and stress in sentences.
• One uses punctuation marks to structure and organise one’s writing.

Example:

Let’s eat Grandma

Let’s eat, Grandma!

1. CAPITAL LETTERS

SYMBOL – CAPITAL LETTER – A

• PLACED AT THE BEGINNING OF ANY SENTENCE
• ALL PROPER NOUNS – NAMES, MONUMENTS, GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS, NATIONALITIES, LANGUAGES, DAYS, MONTHS, HOLIDAYS
• TITLES OF BOOKS, MAGAZINES, NEWSPAPERS, PLAYS, MOVIES

EXAMPLE: 

Naman is the editor of the newspaper The Times of India.

2. FULL STOP

SYMBOL – FULL STOP – (.)

• PLACED AT THE END OF ANY SENTENCE
• USED BETWEEN INITIALS OR PERSONAL NAMES
• USED AFTER ABBREVIATIONS

Example:

R.P. BALI IS A DOCTOR.

3. COMMA

SYMBOL – COMMA – (,)

USED TO SEPARATE A LIST OF SIMILAR WORDS OR PHRASES

Example:

SHE WAS YOUNG, BEAUTIFUL, KIND AND INTELLIGENT.

4. QUESTION MARK

SYMBOL – QUESTION MARK – (?)

• USED TO SHOWCASE THAT A QUESTION HAS BEEN ASKED
• PLACED AT THE END OF THE INTERROGATORY SENTENCE

Example:

Do you speak Italian?

5. EXCLAMATION MARK

SYMBOL – EXCLAMATION MARK – (!)

• USED TO INDICATE EXPRESSION IN A SENTENCE
• USED TO SHOWCASE EMPHASIS IN A SENTENCE
• PLACED AT THE END OF THE EXCLAMATORY SENTENCE

Example:

BRAVO! I WON THE QUIZ.

6. USAGE OF SEMICOLON

• To replace a period to narrow the gap between two closely linked sentences; for example: Call me tomorrow; you can give me an answer then.
• Do you notice any others uses of semicolon here?
• Before words like namely, however, therefore, that is, i.e., for example, e.g., for instance, when they introduce a complete sentence; for example: Bring any two items; however, sleeping bags and water bottles are necessary.
• To separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas.
• Incorrect: The conference has people who have come from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, California, London, Tennessee, and other places as well.
• Correct: The conference has people who have come from Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai; California; London, Tennessee; and other places as well.
• Between independent clauses joined by a connector, such as and, but, or, nor,, when one or more commas appear in the first clause; for example: When I finish my work, I’ll be glad to help you; and that is a promise I will keep.

7. USAGE OF APOSTROPHE

To make contractions of words

Examples:

• they + have = they’ve
• are + not = aren’t
• they + will = they’ll
• Can you try using these in sentences?

To show possession.

Examples:

• Rani’s dog is very old.
• My parents’ ancestral home is in Lucknow.
• Shreyas’s father is a doctor.
• Shreyas’ mother is also a doctor.