Punctuation Perfection

Punctuation
Perfection
1
Contents
Introduction 3
Apostrophes 4
Periods 11
Question Marks 15
Exclamation Marks 17
Commas 19
Colons 32
Semicolons 36
Hyphens 41
Quotation Marks 43
Final Test 45
Answers 50
Copyright 2017 360Learning Inc. 2

Introduction
Punctuation is a very important part of writing. It
organizes sentences and ideas. It has many important
responsibilities, like introducing, separating, and
differentiating.
In writing, punctuation replaces the body language and

tone of voice used in speaking. For example, we can raise
our vocal tone to show a question, where in writing we
would use a question mark. A pause in speaking is shown
by a comma in writing. Even when we shout in speaking,
we can use an exclamation point in writing.
Using punctuation properly is important to become a good

writer. Writing without correct punctuation is like driving
without the street signs. Imagine having now stop signs on
the road? Writing would be just as messy without periods.
The explanations below are meant to help you perfect your

punctuation. Although the explanations are simple, all the
rules of punctuation are here.
After you have studied the lessons, try the tests. They will
help you apply your new knowledge. The final exam
combines everything in this book, and it is a comprehensive
test of your ability to use punctuation.
After completing this book, you will be a much better

writer. Good luck!

Apostrophes
Apostrophes are for two purposes:
• Contractions
• Possession
CONTRACTIONS
The apostrophe joins two words together to make a contraction.
• do not = don't
• I am = I'm
The apostrophe replaces the removed letter. For example, in the

word "don't", the apostrophe takes the place of the "o" that is
removed from “do not”.
Here are some more examples of contractions:
• have not = haven't

• is not = isn't
• He is = He's
Although contractions are common in speaking and informal writing,

they should not be used in academic writing. However, they are
often used in email and business writing to speed up
communication.
Apostrophes also replace missing numbers in years. For example,

• She graduated in the class of '78. (1978)
• I have a '57 Corvette. (1957)

POSSESSION
Apostrophes are used with nouns to show ownership. Nouns take
apostrophes in different ways. The following chart shows what to
add to nouns when showing possession.
Apostrophe + S ('s) Apostrophe (')
Single Nouns Plural Nouns

• The dog's bowl • The girls' books
• The boy's hat • The boys' hats
• Jennifer's shoes • The students' teacher
• The computer's battery
Irregular Plural Nouns

• The children's toys
• The people's ideas
Indefinite Pronouns
• Everyone's shoes
• Someone's keys
Nouns that end in "S"

When a noun ends in "s", you have 2 options:
1. Add an apostrophe and "s".
• Charles Dickens's novel

• The Davis's home
2. Add only an apostrophe.
• Charles Dickens' novel

• The Davis' home

Using the apostrophe depends on the pronunciation of the word. If
it sounds awkward to add the "s", then leave it out. For example,
this sentence does not sound good with the extra "s". The second
sentence sounds better than the first.
Chris Tompkins's brother is a doctor.
Chris Tompkins' brother is a doctor.
However, if the word sounds fine with the extra “s” then you can
add it. For example:
Chris’s brother is a doctor.
Chris’ brother is a doctor.
To decide which option to take, say the word aloud to see which
sounds best.
More than 1 Noun

The apostrophe goes on the last name in a group that shares
possession.
• Jane and Bob's house
Use 2 apostrophes when showing possession of two different things.

• Steve's and Bob's houses
Multiple Word Subjects

When a noun has more than one word, the last word in the group
receives the apostrophe.
• The Queen of England's house

• The Director of Marketing's office

Apostrophe Mistakes
Do not use apostrophes for plural nouns that have no possession:
The boy’s are tired.
The boys are tired.
Do not use apostrophes for plural nouns that are abbreviations or

numbers.
CD's, 1970's
CDs, 1970s
Do not use apostrophes with pronouns.
Where is her' jacket?
Their's school has many students.
Many people mistake its and it's.
Its is for possession.

• My radio doesn't work. Its batteries are dead.
It's is a contraction that means "it is".

• It's cold today.
• It's too early to open the office.

Apostrophe Test
Choose the option that uses apostrophes

correctly.
1. 6.
a) The dogs bone a) It's very late at night.
b) The dog's bone b) Its very late at night.
2. 7.
a) The men's hats a) The televisions cable
b) The mens' hats b) The television's cable
3. 8.
a) The boys' bikes a) His brothers friend
b) The boys bikes b) His brother's friend
4. 9.
a) Gus's hat a) The jacket is her's.
b) Gus hat b) The jacket is hers.
5. 10.
a) His' house a) My co-worker's office
b) His house b) My co-workers offices

Put apostrophes in the following sentences.
Some sentences do not need apostrophes.
1. The boys bicycle is blue.
2. Janes house is on Sumac Street.
3. The girls are playing in the park with their toys.
4. Susan and Bobs cousin lives in Vancouver.
5. Its prohibited to take photos in this area.
6. Please bring your childrens passports to the airport.
7. We will study William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet.
8. Five of the students failed the last exam.
9. Its buttons do not work.
10. Could you email me when the Fergusons account is

corrected?
11. The peoples cars are in the parking lot.
12. The students and teachers agreed on a date for the exam.
13. The photocopiers paper tray is broken.
14. She has a dog. Its a puppy.
15. My three friends have the same laptop.

Correct these sentences. You may add, move, or
remove apostrophes and "s".
1. Pauls hat is on the table.
2. My department has 13 employees and his's department has
only 4 people.
3. The baseball teams mascot is a chicken.
4. Dianas' house is on Fourth Street.
5. His cats toys are in the kitchen.
6. There are two Lisa's in my class
7. Could you email me Freds' phone number?
8. We should discuss the customers invoice.
9. The Director's of Marketing new office is on the 2nd floor.
10. The new budget will be edited and sent out by Janets
assistant on Monday.
11. Ricky's and Bobby's new kitten is very cute.
12. It's cable is broken, so it will not work.
13. This womens' magazine has many advertisements
14. I hope its not broken.
15. Her house is on the same street as their's.

Periods
Periods have many uses:
• Complete Thoughts
• Abbreviations
• Ellipsis
• Decimal Points
Complete Thoughts
Periods are used to signal the end of a complete thought.
• The photocopier is broken.

• I have never visited the museum.
A complete thought can include the following:
Declarative Sentences
• I like hockey.
• She lives in France.
Indirect Questions
• My co-worker asked me if I had the file.
• She asked him about his project.
Imperative Sentences (Instructions)

• Please bring the documents to the meeting.
• Do not arrive late.

Abbreviations
Periods are used to show a shortened version of a word.
Titles
Mr. Mrs. Ms. Dr.
Initials
William M. Johnson J.R. Rider
Places
U.S.A. P.E.I.
St. Ave.
Dates
Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat. Sun.
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr.

May Jun. Jul. Aug.
Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
Time
• a.m.
• p.m.
Measurements
• kg.
• lbs.
Etcetera
• etc.

If a sentence ends in an abbreviation, it is not necessary to add
another period.
I have never visited P.E.I..
I have never visited P.E.I.
However, if the abbreviation is at the end of a question, include the

period and the question mark.
Have you ever visited P.E.I?
Have you ever visited P.E.I.?
Common abbreviations with all capital letters do not normally take

periods. For example,
• WHO (World Health Organization)
• IMF (International Monetary Fund)
Ellipsis
3 periods together are called an ellipsis. This is used with
quotations to show missing words.
• "The current world economy will improve next year...jobs will
be created at a faster pace."
Decimal Points
Use periods as decimal points to separate numbers.
• 3.4
• 2.57
• $19.99, $17.34
Spacing
Periods are followed by either 1 or 2 spaces between sentences.
The most important rule is to stay consistent. If you follow a period
with 2 spaces, do not change to 1 space in the same document.

Period Test
Place periods in the following sentences.
1. Please bring your passport to the appointment
2. I have the results from the survey They are not very good
3. He asked her if she had any experience with Microsoft Excel
4. The two prices were under $10. They were $899 and $750.
5. Dr Young and Dr Franks have worked together for 13 years
6. The wedding is on Jan 25, 2012
7. My teacher's name is Mrs Kline
8. We can meet on Tue or Wed
9. He weighs 60 kg, but he is very strong
10. His name is DJ James It stands for David Junior

Question Marks
Question marks are used after direct questions.
• How old are you?
• Do you have the book?
This includes the following types of questions:
Direct Questions
• Where is the book?
• Do you like hockey?
Tag Questions
• We have enough money, don't we?
• She doesn't have a brother, does she?
Polite Requests
• Would you like a drink?
• Could you send me the phone number for our Internet
provider?
• May I have another glass of water?
Question Mark Mistakes

Do not use a question mark after sentences that look like questions.
I asked him about the movie.
I wonder if she has a pet cat.
I don't know where the party is.

Question Mark Test
Add a question mark if needed.
1. Do you live in an apartment
2. Where is my jacket
3. I don't like pizza very much
4. You like hockey, don't you
5. May I turn off the music
6. I am not sure when the meeting begins
7. Her sister sings when she runs
8. How many times do you exercise each week
9. Could you help me with my homework
10. He asked me where the bank was

Exclamation Marks
Exclamation marks show strong feelings.
• Look out!
• Do not call here again!
• I can’t believe he said that!
Do not overuse exclamation marks. After too many,

they lose their impact.
Exclamation marks are not used in formal writing like academic or

business writing. They are more common in fiction or informal
writing.

Ending Punctuation Test
Add a period or question mark where necessary.
1. Would you like some assistance
2. Please remember to bring your passport
3. Could you phone me later so we can discuss this topic
4. I am not sure if he has enough experience for the job
5. Did Gina tell you about the meeting
6. I do not know where the stapler is
7. Do not forget your business cards
8. Keith told me you had a question for me
9. The report is finished, isn't it
10. Have you taken this course before
11. May I leave now
12. You didn't like that movie, did you
13. She asked me why I left so early
14. I have no idea when the game finished
15. Would you mind opening the door

Commas
Commas help organize sentences. They have 3 main purposes:
• Separating
• Enclosing
• Introducing
Separating
Lists
Commas separate items in a list.
• I need bread, milk, eggs, and cheese.
• The company has offices in Paris, Barcelona, and Madrid.
Should you put a comma before the final item in a list? The answer
is not definitive. Some people believe you should always have a
comma before the final item:
• I need milk, eggs, and cheese.
Others believe it is not necessary:

• I need milk, eggs and cheese.
This is the Oxford comma. It is highly debated among grammar and

punctuation experts. Most newspapers and Internet articles do not
use the comma.

Independent Clauses
Use a comma to separate two independent clauses. For example:
1. I like hockey.
2. I do not like baseball.
• I like hockey, but I do not like baseball.
Use one of the following conjunctions after the comma: for, and,
nor, but, or, yet, so. These coordinating conjunctions are often
remembered by the acronym FANBOYS.
Here are some more examples:

• Jason spent fifteen minutes doing his homework, but it felt
like an hour.
• I hadn't gone to class for most of the year, so I failed my
exam.
With So?
"So" can be confusing when deciding to use a comma or not.
Sometimes it follows a comma and other times it does not. Here is
the rule:
When you would like to say "so that", don't use a comma.
• Please complete the evaluation by Friday so (that) we can
send it to the client.
• I gave her money so she could buy the shoes.
When you would like to use "so" as a word similar to "therefore", you
should include a comma.
• It is cold today, so we will not go to the park.
• She works until 5 pm, so she will not be able to attend the
conference.

Examples
You can use a comma to separate a list of examples from the
introduction.
• I have visited several Canadian cities, such as Toronto,
Vancouver, and Montréal.
• I enjoy many Italian foods, like pasta, pizza, and lasagna.
It does not have to be a list of examples. You can use a comma to

separate a single example.
• I have visited many European countries, for example France.
Two Adjectives
Commas separate two adjectives before a noun.
• I bought a new, red car.
• The big, black dog is barking.
You do not always need a comma between two adjectives before

the noun. Both of these sentences are correct:
• She is a beautiful, intelligent girl.
• He bought several black chairs.
This sentence is not correct:

• He bought several, black chairs.
Why is there a difference? Because the adjectives act differently.

If the adjectives modify the noun equally, you need a comma. In
the first example, beautiful and intelligent modify the noun
equally. In the second, several and black are much different. To
decide which is correct, see if you can do these two things:
1. Add AND.
• She is a beautiful and intelligent girl. (Correct, comma
needed)
• He bought several and black chairs. (Incorrect, no
comma needed)

2. Reverse the adjectives.
• She is an intelligent, beautiful girl. (Correct, comma
needed)
• He bought black several chairs. (Incorrect, no comma
needed)
If you are not sure, it is best to not use a comma. When in doubt
leave it out.
Dates
Commas separate two numbers or two words in a date:
• December 12, 2006
• Monday, July 4
• Tuesday, March 25, 2003
If the date is in the middle of a sentence, a comma goes after.

• He arrived on July 25, ready to begin.
Place Names
Commas separate two place names, including the following:
• City, Country
Tokyo, Japan
• City, Province/State/Region
Toronto, Ontario
• City, State, Country
Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Numbers
Commas separate numbers in groups of 3.
• 563,500
• 4,546,789

Confusion
You can use a comma to avoid confusion. Think about this example:
• He bought a car and washed it
When you see the “and”, you expect another item that was bought.
This creates confusion because a new action follows. You can use a
comma here to avoid any confusion.
• He bought a car, and washed it
In general, you can use the comma for items that would be easier to
read if separated. Think about how you speak. If you would take a
pause that normally means you need a comma in writing.

Enclosing
Non-Defining Relative Clauses

Commas separate a non-defining relative clause from the rest of the
sentence. This is used to add extra information.
• The man, who had never been to Paris, was very excited.
• Ricky's Pizza, which is my favourite restaurant, is always open
late on Sundays.
To determine if you have a non-defining relative clause, check if

you can read the first and last section as one sentence. Take a look
at the example below:
• Jeremy, who usually worked on Monday, was not available on

Tuesday.
• Jeremy was not available on Tuesday.
Introductory Words or Phrases

Use a comma after an introductory phrase including transitional
words, times, and dependent clauses.
1. Transitional Words
• However, her bank had been closed for over a year.
• Furthermore, the form must be signed.
2. Times
• On Monday, we will meet earlier than usual.
• The last time we had a meeting, John did not attend.
• In 1978, the government changed the policy.

3. Dependent Clauses
• Although Monday is a holiday, our call centre is still open.
• If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to ask.
Common Words Starting Dependent Clauses

(Dependent Clause Markers)
After Although As Before
Considering Despite If Since
Unless Until When Whenever
Commas are NOT used when the sentence is reversed and the
clause or phrase is second.
• We faxed the document on Thursday.
• Please do not hesitate to ask if you need any assistance.
• We are unable to send the package until you send us your
address.
Titles
A person’s title is separated with a comma. This includes titles at
the end of a sentence and in the middle.
• I would like to welcome Robert Palmer, Executive Director, to
our office.
• Please forward all inquiries to Gina Davies, Accounts Manager.
Addressing People
Use a comma to directly address someone:
• Lisa, please call the customer to apologize.
• Mike, could you send the file tomorrow?

Introducing
Quotations
Commas introduce quotations.
• Fred said, “The fire was caused by old newspapers.”
• “The fire was caused by the newspapers,” said Fred.
Letter Salutations and Complimentary

Closings
Use a comma after an informal greeting in an email or letter.
• Hello Diane,
• Hi Jeremy,
Use a comma after all complimentary letter closings.

• Sincerely,
• Regards,
• Take care,

Comma Mistakes
The following are common mistakes made with commas:
Do not use a comma for a list of two items.

• I bought milk, and cheese.
Do not use a comma before a list.

• I bought, milk, eggs, and cheese.
Do not use a comma to separate two independent ideas.

This is called a "comma splice".
• The weather next week should be warm, it will be a good time
to go to the park.
• The only person I met was James, he was kind and helpful.
• I like hockey, I play every day.
How can you fix comma splices? Use one of these three methods:
1. Add a period to make two sentences.
• I like hockey. I play every day.
2. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)
• I like hockey, so I play every day.
3. Use a semicolon and a transitional word.
• I like hockey. However, I do not play every day.
Do not separate a subject and verb with a comma.

• The human resources and accounting managers, are
considering requesting a meeting with the CEO.
• Jessica and Linda, work at the main office.

Do not separate a predicate verb phrase with a comma.
If it is two actions, it does not need a comma.
• The receptionist received the phone call, and booked the
appointment.
• He will call the company, and request a refund.
Do not separate compound objects or subjects.

• The most recent quarterly report, and last year’s report for
the same quarter are saved on the disk I gave you yesterday.
• David's manager, and Rachel's manager have an offic eon the
same floor.
Do not use commas before dependent clauses

• The initial meeting was cancelled, because most of the team
members were on vacation.
• Please call me, if you have any questions.
Do not enclose restrictive words.

• My friend, Paul, plays guitar.
Do not separate a subject and verb with a comma.

• The human resources and accounting managers, are
considering requesting a meeting with the CEO.
• Jessica and Linda, work at the main office.

Commas Test
Add commas to the list.
Concert Location Date

Paris France Monday July 25 2009
Lisbon Portugal October 12 2009
Toronto Canada Saturday December 11
Tokyo Japan January 3 2010
London England Friday February 25 2010
Add commas to the following sentences.

1. I will bring glasses plates and ice.
2. Last year the company hired two new employees.
3. If it rains tomorrow I will not go to the beach.
4. I would like to welcome Owen Flack Director of Sales to our

new office.
5. He moved to Berlin Germany.
6. He has lived in Montreal but he has not lived in Ottawa.
7. Although he has not seen the movie he understands the

story.
8. The large black van was parked outside.
9. If you need any help do not hesitate to ask.
10. She fixed the photocopier on Friday and it has worked well
since then.

Add or remove commas to correct the sentences.
Some sentences are already correct.
1. Although he had never worked in this office he felt

comfortable on his first day.
2. Kimberly Clarkson, CEO, met with all department managers.
3. The document was misplaced last week so Jacob is re-

writing it today.
4. The staff holiday party is scheduled for Tuesday December,

15, 2011.
5. The company’s new office will hopefully attract more

foreign investment, because it is located in Madrid Spain.
6. You are prohibited from wearing jeans or shorts in the

office; however you are able to wear jeans on the last
Friday of each month.
7. Brian Jessica and Raymond will answer the phones this

week.
8. My co-worker sent me the file, and emailed the new client.
9. If you have any questions please let me know.
10. Please feel free to contact me, if you have any concerns
regarding the package I sent you.

11. Please send the email to human resources, accounting, IT,
and production.
12. The newest staff member in the quality control department,

has only worked in this office since last week.
13. Her executive assistant usually files all documents, she does
not record them electronically.
14. Lisa is able to work on Friday afternoon, but she is unable to

work Saturday morning.
15. While listening to the speaker Tom was using his Blackberry
constantly.
16. She was listening to the presentation while texting her son
on her Blackberry.
17. He was prepared for the meeting, although he was late.
18. Since starting the new project Rebecca has been working
late every day.
19. As well she would like to take next Tuesday off.
20. On the first day of employment new employees are required

to meet with Cheryl Jones Human Resources Manager.

Colons
Colons introduce and separate. Always use 1 space after a colon.
Introducing
Colons follow an independent clause and introduce the following:
• Lists
• Examples
• Quotations
• Tables, Charts, and Graphs
Lists
Colons introduce a list.
• This is what I need from the market: potatoes, eggs, and
bread.
• Please include the following information: Name, Age, Birth
Date.
Quotations
Colons are used to introduce a quotation.
• The police officer made the following statement:
"The criminal was about 25 years old. He was wearing a blue
jacket."

Rule # 1
The sentence before a colon must be complete. This means colons
do not follow verbs or prepositions.
Incorrect Examples:
My favourite foods are: pizza, pasta, and sushi.
Please bring: pens, books, pencils, and erasers.
We have lots of: pencils, markers, and paper.
Corrected Examples:
My favourite foods are the following: pizza, pasta, and sushi.
Please bring the following materials: pens, books, pencils, and

erasers.
It is possible to remove the colon from the incorrect examples:
My favourite foods are pizza, pasta, and sushi.
Please bring pens, books, pencils, and erasers.
"As follows" and "the following" go before colons. Some example are
as follows:
• The times are the following: 5:30, 10:30, and 15:30.

• The rules are as follows:
Rule #2
Do not capitalize the first word after the colon if it introduces a
sentence.
• The paper discussed a key idea: immigration directly impacts
the economy.
You can capitalize the items in a list, but this is optional, not
required.
• Include the following information: Name, Age, Address.
• Include the following information: name, age, address.

Separating
Titles and Subtitles
Colons separate titles from subtitles.
• Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
• Star Wars IV: A New Hope
Time
Colons separate hours and minutes.
• 11:30
• 12:15
Salutations
Colons are used after greetings in formal letters and emails.
• Dear Jonathan Malone:
• Dear Mrs. James:

Colon Test
Add colons where needed.

1. Please bring the following materials gloves, boots, sweaters,
and hats.
2. The meeting is at 1130 am.
3. You must wear gloves, boots, and a mask.
4. Events are scheduled in the following cities Montreal,

Ottawa, Calgary, and Winnipeg.
5. The director of the school stated this policy "Absolutely no

plagiarism allowed in any class. Those who plagiarize will
be suspended."
6. I wake up at 715 each morning.
7. The ingredients are as follows milk, eggs, and butter
8. My favourite movie is Star Wars IV A New Hope.
9. Please send it to this address 67 Bond Street.
10. The following students were away yesterday Paul, Fred, and
Jenny.

Semicolons
Semicolons separate items and sentences. They are stronger than a
comma and weaker than a period. Follow a semicolon with one
space, and the next word is not capitalized.
Two Clauses
Semicolons separate two related ideas in a sentence that are not
connected with a coordinating conjunction.
• The ceremony is at 3:30 pm; the reception is at 5:30.

• Please do not bring a cell phone to the meeting; they are
prohibited in the conference room.
Before Conjunctive Adverbs

When separating two clauses, often the second clause begins with a
conjunctive adverb. These words are also known as transitional
words, including some of the following:
Also In addition As well

Likewise Moreover Furthermore
However Therefore For Example
Meanwhile Then Next
Here are some examples:

• The computer lab is closed for the weekend; therefore,
printing must be done at the library.
• The results of the experiment were inconclusive; however,
the researchers were happy with the outcomes.
** A comma usually follows the conjunctive adverb.

Lists with Commas
Semicolons separate items in a list that include commas.
• The company has offices in Houston, Texas; San Diego,

California; and Portland, Oregon.
• I would like to introduce John Hopper, CEO; Mary Clark,
Marketing Manager; and Kevin Malone, Sales Manager.
Semicolon Mistakes
Do not separate dependent and independent clauses with a

semicolon.
Although he does not live in this city; he is still eligible to take

the class.
These are joined with a comma:

Although he does not live in this city, he is still eligible to take
the class.
Do not use a semicolon to introduce lists or other items. This

needs a colon.
Please bring the following; books, paper, pens.
Do not use a semicolon after greetings in letters.
Dear John;
Do not capitalize words after a semicolon.
I didn't understand the lesson; His explanation was not

helpful.

Semicolon Test
Place semicolons in the sentences.
1. I have not studied French however, I can speak the

language.
2. My teachers for this semester are as follows: Mr. Gregory,

mathematics Ms. Richards, English and Ms. Hibert, history.
3. The hotel does not have any rooms available Friday

however, there are rooms available Saturday night.
4. Provincial capitals in Canada include Victoria, British

Columbia Toronto, Ontario and Quebec City, Quebec.
5. The new shipment will be delayed for two days therefore,

we need to notify the customer.

Colon and Semicolon Test
Place colons or semicolons in the sentences

where necessary.
1. The following items are necessary to register for the class a
driver's license, social insurance number, and passport.
2. He does not work for this company however, he did work

here 6 months ago.
3. Here is a list of my teachers this semester Mr. Franks,

mathematics Ms. Jacobs, English and Mr. Timothy,
geography.
4. Dear Dr. William P. Links
5. The old copier is not working very well therefore, we will

use the new photocopier for the printing job.

Correct the colon and semicolon mistakes in
these sentences. Be careful! Not all sentences
are incorrect.
1. The police officer said the following; "We are working on the
case."
2. He does not have a brother: however, he has 3 sisters.
3. I enjoyed the movie Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.
4. The meeting is on Friday at 9;30 am.
5. Dear Francis;

Hyphens
Hyphens separate words and parts of words. Here are the uses for
hyphens:
2 Word Modifiers
When two words are combined to make a single adjective, they
should include a hyphen.
• The well-prepared student
• The freshly-baked pie
• A one-to-one conversation
However, this is only true when the words come before the noun.
• He was well prepared.

• The pie was freshly baked.
Prefixes
Hyphens are always used with these prefixes:
self all ex great
• ex-wife
• self-help
• all-purpose
Hyphens separate prefixes with proper nouns (nouns that begin

with a capital letter):
• pro-Catholic
• pre-Cambrian

Numbers
Hyphens separate all two word numbers from twenty-one to ninety-
nine.
• Thirty-two
• Fifty-four
This also includes fractions:

• One-third
• Three-fifths
Times also use hyphens:

• Seven-thirty
• Eight-fifteen
Hyphens can be used with numbers in place of the word "to".

• The score was 3-2.
• There will be about 10-15 people at the meeting.

Quotation Marks
Quotations
Quotation marks are used to show a speaker’s exact words:
• "I love hockey," said Paul
• The mayor said, "This will be the best year for our city!"
Keep ending punctuation inside the quotation marks.

• As stated in the manual, "Smoking is prohibited in all hotel
rooms."
Quotations begin with a capital letter.

• Gina said, "There is no place I would rather live than here."
Different punctuation is used to introduce quotations depending on

the situation.
Colons
A complete sentence before the quotation takes a colon.
• He was not happy with the results: "We must do better."
Commas
Use commas with a subject and a reporting verb.
• He said, "Nothing compares to Coke."
Here are some common reporting verbs used to introduce

quotations:
Say Tell Ask Think

Explain Note Claim Remark

No Punctuation
Do not use punctuation when the quotation is blended into the
sentence. The author is noted referenced in this situation.
• The minimum wage during that decade was "insufficient for
single mothers.”
Artistic Works
Quotations marks are used to signify certain artistic works:
• Poems
• Short Stories
• Newspaper Articles
• Journal Articles
• Songs
Take a look at some example sentences:

• "A Christmas Tree" is one of Charles Dickens' most famous
short stories.
• Have you read the new article, "Crime is Rising"?

Final Test
Add punctuation marks where needed.

1. Do you have a car
2. I was born on July 5 1985
3. Anas hat is red
4. I visited New York Washington and Boston
5. Please bring the following materials notebooks pens and

pencils
6. Could you help Mr Peters carry the chairs
7. I asked her if the meeting was at 530 or 630
8. He said the following I will never visit that city again
9. He has no money but he will still go shopping
10. I dont know when the movie starts do you
11. Hes not very happy with his exam score
12. The womens jackets are hanging in the closet
13. I think the guitar is Gregs
14. We have offices in the following cities Monterrey Mexico

Toronto Canada and Los Angeles U.S.A.
15. Will Mrs Ewing bring the drinks

16. I will send the file to Henry Pelham Sales Manager
17. We lost the file so we need to complete it again
18. The meeting is Tue March 13 2013
19. He hasnt completed the report yet
20. Although we only have a few days we can complete the

project
on time
Correct the following sentences. Be careful!

Some are correct.
1. I will arrive at 3;15.
2. I love to play the guitar: however, I have never taken lessons.
3. The peoples' cars are parked on Front Street.
4. Although he has not worked at this office long he has been

doing a very good job lately.
5. Learning English; The New Method is the new textbook for my

English class
6. The following materials are prohibited in class. Cell phones

food CD's and drinks
7. I am unable to provide a discount at this time but I do

encourage you to take a look at our promotions on the
website.
8. Could you tell me what time the game starts

9. She asked about the project.
10. My classes in the afternoon, are at 330 and 530.
11. Please remember you are not allowed to eat in class it is

prohibited.
12. Please bring the following materials to class each day;

pencils, highlighters, paper, and calculators.
13. He works at the office in Las Vegas Nevada.
14. Could you send me Susans' phone number, I need to call her
regarding the meeting next week.
15. We all need to work late on Friday night, because we must

finish the reports before the end of the week.
16. You can print your airline ticket from home, to speed up wait
times.
17. Please do not bring: music players, cell phones, and video
games to class.
18. The first game of the season is on Monday April, 25th.
19. The ingredients are sugar, salt, and rice.
20. Richard asked me if I had the results from last year?
21. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate

to contact me directly.
22. Thank you for meeting me, I am looking forward to hearing

from you next week.
23. Dave had never met the professor before yet he looked very
familiar.

24. Despite the cost we bought four sets.
25. Please let me know if you have any questions.
26. The date was changed; but the time is still the same.
27. Sallys' brother lives in London England.
28. I have not met him; however, we have spoken on the

telephone a few times.
29. The office is closed, on Monday.
30. Mrs. Jones's file is complete.
Correct this email for punctuation mistakes.

To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to inquire about taking salsa classes at your dance

school.
I am wondering if you have classes for beginners? I would like to

take a beginner class, because I have never taken lessons before.
Although I love salsa music I have never taken lessons.
I would like to take classes at your school because my friends

sister is a teacher there, her name is Ana.
Could you provide: the price, schedule, and material

requirements.
Thank you very much;
Lisa Pender

August, 15, 2012
Hello Margaret;
My name is Jennifer Hendricks and I am interested in purchasing a

laptop from your company.
Could you send me more information about the T2150 laptop.

Also do you have a website with information.
I am interested in purchasing a laptop but I need more

information.
Please include the following;

• Price
• Memory
• Features
Thank you very much for your help.
Regards
Michael McLean

Answers
Apostrophe Test
Choose the option that uses apostrophes

correctly.
1. 6.
b) The dog's bone a) It's very late at night.
2. 7.
a) The men's hats b) The television's cable
3. 8.
a) The boys' bikes b) His brother's friend
4. 9.
a) Gus's hat b) The jacket is hers.
5. 10.
b) His house a) My co-worker's office

Put apostrophes in the following sentences.
Some sentences do not need apostrophes.
1. The boy's bicycle is blue.
2. Jane's house is on Sumac Street.
3. The girls are playing in the park with their toys.
4. Susan and Bob's cousin lives in Vancouver.
5. It's prohibited to take photos in this area.
6. Please bring your children's passports to the airport.
7. We will study William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
8. Five of the students failed the last exam.
9. Its buttons do not work.
10. Could you email me when the Ferguson's account is

corrected?
11. The people's cars are in the parking lot.
12. The students and teachers agreed on a date for the exam.
13. The photocopier's paper tray is broken.
14. She has a dog. It's a puppy.
15. My three friends have the same laptop.

Correct these sentences. You may add, move, or
remove apostrophes and "s".
1. Paul's hat is on the table.

2. My department has 13 employees and his department has
only 4 people.
3. The baseball team's mascot is a chicken.
4. Diana's house is on Fourth Street.
5. His cat's toys are in the kitchen.
6. There are two Lisas in my class
7. Could you email me Fred's phone number?
8. We should discuss the customer's invoice.
9. The Director of Marketing's new office is on the 2nd floor.
10. The new budget will be edited and sent out by Janet's
assistant on Monday.
11. Ricky and Bobby's new kitten is very cute.
12. Its cable is broken, so it will not work.
13. This women's magazine has many advertisements
14. I hope it's not broken.
15. Her house is on the same street as theirs.

Period Test
Place periods in the following sentences.
1. Please bring your passport to the appointment.
2. I have the results from the survey. They are not very good
3. He asked her if she had any experience with Microsoft

Excel.
4. The two prices were under $10. They were $8.99 and
$7.50.
5. Dr. Young and Dr. Franks have worked together for 13

years.
6. The wedding is on Jan 25, 2012.
7. My teacher's name is Mrs. Kline.
8. We can meet on Tue. or Wed.
9. He weighs 60 kg. and exercises often.
10. His name is D.J. James. It stands for David Junior.

Question Mark Test
Add a question mark if needed.
1. Do you live in an apartment?
2. Where is my jacket?
3. I don't like pizza very much.
4. You like hockey, don't you?
5. May I turn off the music?
6. I am not sure when the meeting begins.
7. Her sister sings when she runs.
8. How many times do you exercise each week?
9. Could you help me with my homework?
10. He asked me where the bank was.

Ending Punctuation Test
Add a period or question mark where necessary.
1. Would you like some assistance?
2. Please remember to bring your passport.
3. Could you phone me later so we can discuss this topic?
4. I am not sure if he has enough experience for the job.
5. Did Gina tell you about the meeting?
6. I do not know where the stapler goes.
7. Do not forget your business cards.
8. Keith told me you had a question for me.
9. The report is finished, isn't it?
10. Have you taken this course before?
11. May I leave now?
12. You didn't like that movie, did you?
13. She asked me why I left so early.
14. I have no idea when the game finished.
15. Would you mind opening the door?

Commas Test
Add commas to the list.
Concert Location Date
Paris, France Monday, July 25, 2009
Lisbon, Portugal October 12, 2009
Toronto, Canada Saturday, December 11
Tokyo, Japan January 3, 2010
London, England Friday, February 25, 2010
Add commas to the following sentences.

1. I will bring glasses, plates, and ice.
2. Before the end of the week, we should finish the project.
3. If it rains tomorrow, I will not go to the beach.
4. I would like to welcome Owen Flack, Director of Sales, to

our new office.
5. He moved to Berlin, Germany.
6. He has lived in Montreal, but he has not lived in Ottawa.
7. Although he has not seen the movie, he understands the

story.
8. The large, black van was parked outside.
9. If you need any help, do not hesitate to ask.

10. She fixed the photocopier on Friday, and it has worked well
since then.
Add or remove commas to correct the sentences.

Some sentences are already correct.
1. Although he had never worked in this office, he felt

comfortable on his first day.
2. Kimberly Clarkson, CEO, met with all department managers.
3. The document was misplaced last week, so Jacob is re-

writing it today.
4. The staff holiday party is scheduled for Tuesday, December

15, 2011.
5. The company’s new office will hopefully attract more

foreign investment because it is located in Madrid Spain.
6. You are prohibited from wearing jeans or shorts in the

office; however, you are able to wear jeans on the last
Friday of each month.
7. Brian, Jessica, and Raymond will answer the phones this

week.
8. My co-worker sent me the file and emailed the new client.
9. If you have any questions please let me know.
10. Please feel free to contact me if you have any concerns

regarding the package I sent you.

11. Please send the email to human resources, accounting, IT,
and production.
12. The newest staff member in the quality control department

has only worked in this office since last week.
13. Her executive assistant usually files all documents, but she
does not record them electronically.
14. Lisa is able to work on Friday afternoon, but she is unable to

work Saturday morning.
15. While listening to the speaker, Tom was using his Blackberry
constantly.
16. She was listening to the presentation while texting her son
on her Blackberry.
17. He was prepared for the meeting although he was late.
18. Since starting the new project, Rebecca has been working
late every day.
19. As well, she would like to take next Tuesday off.
20. On the first day of employment, new employees are

required to meet with Cheryl Jones Human Resources
Manager.

Colon Test
Add colons where needed.

1. Please bring the following materials: gloves, boots,
sweaters, and hats.
2. The meeting is at 11:30 am.
3. You must wear gloves, boots, and a mask.
4. Events are scheduled in the following cities: Montreal,

Ottawa, Calgary, and Winnipeg.
5. The director of the school stated this policy: "Absolutely no

plagiarism allowed in any class. Those who plagiarize will
be suspended."
6. I wake up at 7:15 each morning.
7. The ingredients are as follows: milk, eggs, and butter
8. My favourite movie is Star Wars IV: A New Hope.
9. Please send it to this address: 67 Bond Street.
10. The following students were away yesterday: Paul, Fred,

and
Jenny.

Semicolon Test
Place semicolons in the sentences.
1. I have not studied French; however, I can speak the

language.
2. My teachers for this semester are as follows: Mr. Gregory,

mathematics; Ms. Richards, English; and Ms. Hibert, history.
3. The hotel does not have any rooms available Friday;

however, there are rooms available Saturday night.
4. Provincial capitals in Canada include Victoria, British

Columbia; Toronto, Ontario; and Quebec City, Quebec.
5. The new shipment will be delayed for two days; therefore,

we need to notify the customer.

Colon and Semicolon Test
Place colons or semicolons in the sentences

where necessary.
1. The following items are necessary to register for the class: a

driver's license, social insurance number, and passport.
2. He does not work for this company; however, he did work

here 6 months ago.
3. Here is a list of my teachers this semester: Mr. Franks,

mathematics; Ms. Jacobs, English; and Mr. Timothy,
geography.
4. Dear Dr. William P. Links:
5. The old copier is not working very well; therefore, we will

use the new photocopier for the printing job.

Correct the colon and semicolon mistakes in
these sentences. Be careful! Not all sentences
are incorrect.
1. The police officer said the following: "We are working on the
case."
2. He does not have a brother; however, he has 3 sisters.
3. I enjoyed the movie Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.
4. The meeting is on Friday at 9:30 am.
5. Dear Francis:

Final Test
Add punctuation marks where needed.

21. Do you have a car?
22. I was born on July 5, 1985.
23. Ana's hat is red.
24. I visited New York, Washington, and Boston.
25. Please bring the following materials: notebooks, pens, and

pencils.
26. Could you help Mr Peters carry the chairs?
27. I asked her if the meeting was at 5:30 or 6:30.
28. He said the following: "I will never visit that city again."
29. He has no money, but he will still go shopping.
30. I don't know when the movie starts, do you?
31. He's not very happy with his exam score.
32. The women's jackets are hanging in the closet.
33. I think the guitar is Greg's.
34. We have offices in the following cities: Monterrey, Mexico;

Toronto, Canada; and Los Angeles, U.S.A.
35. Will Mrs. Ewing bring the drinks?

36. I will send the file to Henry Pelham, Sales Manager.
37. We lost the file, so we need to complete it again.
38. The meeting is Tue. March 13, 2013.
39. He hasn't completed the report yet.
40. Although we only have a few days, we can complete the

project on time.
Correct the following sentences. Be careful!

Some are correct.
1. I will arrive at 3:15.
2. I love to play the guitar; however, I have never taken lessons.
3. The people's cars are parked on Front Street.
4. Although he has not worked at this office long, he has been

doing a very good job lately.
5. Learning English: The New Method is the new textbook for my

English class.
6. The following materials are prohibited in class: cell phones,

food, CDs, and drinks.
7. I am unable to provide a discount at this time, but I do

encourage you to take a look at our promotions on the
website.
8. Could you tell me what time the game starts?
9. She asked about the project.

10. My classes in the afternoon are at 3:30 and 5:30.
11. Please remember you are not allowed to eat in class it is

prohibited.
12. Please bring the following materials to class each day;

pencils, highlighters, paper, and calculators.
13. He works at the office in Las Vegas Nevada.
14. Could you send me Susans' phone number, I need to call her
regarding the meeting next week.
15. We all need to work late on Friday night, because we must

finish the reports before the end of the week.
16. You can print your airline ticket from home, to speed up wait
times.
17. Please do not bring: music players, cell phones, and video
games to class.
18. The first game of the season is on Monday April, 25th.
19. The ingredients are sugar, salt, and rice.
20. Richard asked me if I had the results from last year?
21. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate

to contact me directly.
22. Thank you for meeting me, I am looking forward to hearing

from you next week.
23. Dave had never met the professor before yet he looked
very familiar.
24. Despite the cost we bought four sets.

25. Please let me know if you have any questions.
26. The date was changed; but the time is still the same.
27. Sallys' brother lives in London England.
28. I have not met him; however, we have spoken on the

telephone a few times.
29. The office is closed, on Monday.
30. Mrs. Jones's file is complete.

To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to inquire about taking salsa classes at your dance

school.
I am wondering if you have classes for beginners. I would like to

take a beginner class because I have never taken lessons before.
Although I love salsa music, I have never taken lessons.
I would like to take classes at your school because my friend's

sister is a teacher there. Her name is Ana.
Could you provide the price, schedule, and material

requirements?
Thank you very much,
Lisa Pender

August 15, 2012
Hello Margaret,
My name is Jennifer Hendricks, and I am interested in purchasing

a laptop from your company.
Could you send me more information about the T2150 laptop?

Also, do you have a website with information?
I am interested in purchasing a laptop, but I need more

information.
Please include the following:

• Price
• Memory
• Features
Thank you very much for your help.
Regards,
Michael McLean.

Punctuation Perfection

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Punctuation Perfection

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Punctuation

Copyright 2017 360Learning Inc. 2

In writing, punctuation replaces the body language and

Using punctuation properly is important to become a good

The explanations below are meant to help you perfect your

After completing this book, you will be a much better

Copyright 2017 360Learning Inc. 3

The apostrophe replaces the removed letter. For example, in the

Here are some more examples of contractions:

• have not = haven't

Although contractions are common in speaking and informal writing,

Apostrophes also replace missing numbers in years. For example,

Copyright 2017 360Learning Inc. 4

Apostrophe + S ('s) Apostrophe (')

Single Nouns Plural Nouns

Irregular Plural Nouns

Nouns that end in "S"

1. Add an apostrophe and "s".

• Charles Dickens's novel

2. Add only an apostrophe.

• Charles Dickens' novel

Copyright 2017 360Learning Inc. 5

Chris Tompkins's brother is a doctor.

Chris Tompkins' brother is a doctor.

Chris’s brother is a doctor.

Chris’ brother is a doctor.

More than 1 Noun

• Jane and Bob's house

Use 2 apostrophes when showing possession of two different things.

Multiple Word Subjects

• The Queen of England's house

Copyright 2017 360Learning Inc. 6

The boy’s are tired.

The boys are tired.

Do not use apostrophes for plural nouns that are abbreviations or

Do not use apostrophes with pronouns.

Where is her' jacket?

Their's school has many students.

Many people mistake its and it's.

Its is for possession.

It's is a contraction that means "it is".

Copyright 2017 360Learning Inc. 7

Choose the option that uses apostrophes

Copyright 2017 360Learning Inc. 8

2. Janes house is on Sumac Street.

3. The girls are playing in the park with their toys.

4. Susan and Bobs cousin lives in Vancouver.

5. Its prohibited to take photos in this area.

6. Please bring your childrens passports to the airport.

7. We will study William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet.

8. Five of the students failed the last exam.

9. Its buttons do not work.

10. Could you email me when the Fergusons account is

11. The peoples cars are in the parking lot.

13. The photocopiers paper tray is broken.

14. She has a dog. Its a puppy.

15. My three friends have the same laptop.

Copyright 2017 360Learning Inc. 9

Copyright 2017 360Learning Inc. 10

• The photocopier is broken.

A complete thought can include the following:

Imperative Sentences (Instructions)

Copyright 2017 360Learning Inc. 11