Punctuation Marks
Punctuation marks are like traffic signs for reading. They tell us when to stop, pause, or get excited!
Ending a Sentence
Every sentence must end with a punctuation mark. There are three types depending on what the sentence does.
Full Stop
Used at the end of a statement — a sentence that tells us something.
The cat sat on the mat.
I like apples.
Question Mark
Used at the end of a question — a sentence that asks something.
Where is my hat?
Can I have a drink?
Exclamation Mark
Used to show strong feelings like surprise, excitement, or a command.
Watch out!
That was amazing!
Commas in Lists
When you write a list of things in a sentence, use commas to separate them. Put "and" before the last item.
WITHOUT COMMAS (hard to read)
I bought apples bananas grapes and oranges.
WITH COMMAS (easy to read)
I bought apples, bananas, grapes and oranges.
She packed a hat, a scarf, gloves and a coat.
We saw lions, tigers, elephants and monkeys.
Apostrophes for Contractions
An apostrophe ( ' ) can be used to squash two words into one shorter word. The apostrophe shows where letters have been taken out. These shortened words are called contractions.
Two words
do not
Contraction
don't
Two words
can not
Contraction
can't
Two words
I am
Contraction
I'm
Two words
it is
Contraction
it's
Two words
we are
Contraction
we're
Two words
they are
Contraction
they're
Two words
did not
Contraction
didn't
Two words
is not
Contraction
isn't
Key Vocabulary
Punctuation
Special marks used in writing to make sentences clear. Examples: full stops, commas, question marks.
Full Stop
A dot (.) at the end of a sentence that tells you something.
Apostrophe
A mark (') used to show missing letters in contractions like don't, can't, I'm.
Contraction
A shorter way to write two words using an apostrophe. Example: cannot → can't.
Spot the Punctuation
Each punctuation mark is colour-coded in the sentences below. Can you see what each one does?
Knowledge Check
Choose the correct punctuation for each question!
Question 1
Which punctuation mark goes at the end of this sentence? "What time is it blank"
Question 2
Which sentence uses commas correctly in a list?
Question 3
What is the contraction for "I am"?
Question 4
Which punctuation mark shows strong feeling? "That was incredible blank"
Question 5
What two words make the contraction "didn't"?
Key Concepts Summary
- ● A full stop (.) ends a sentence that tells you something.
- ● A question mark (?) ends a sentence that asks a question.
- ● An exclamation mark (!) shows strong feelings like excitement or surprise.
- ● Use commas (,) to separate items in a list, with "and" before the last item.
- ● An apostrophe (') in a contraction shows where letters have been removed (don't = do not).