Punctuation that examiners notice
Punctuation errors make sentences ambiguous and give an untidy impression on the first page.
Rules with examples
Comma after an introductory phrase or clause.
Semicolon before 'however', 'therefore', 'moreover' when they join two sentences; comma after.
Colon introduces a list or an explanation after a complete sentence.
Apostrophes show possession; 'its' is possessive, 'it's' means 'it is'.
Commas around non-defining clauses (extra information); none around defining ones.
Punctuation that examiners notice: exercises with answers
- Pakistan, has three major problems.
- Pakistan has three major problems: debt, energy and governance.
- Pakistan has three major problems, debt; energy; and governance.
- Pakistan has: three major problems debt, energy, governance.
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Pakistan has three major problems: debt, energy and governance. — Colon after a complete sentence introducing a list.
- The party lost it's majority.
- The party lost its majority.
- The party lost its' majority.
- The party lost it is majority.
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The party lost its majority. — Possessive 'its' has no apostrophe.
- The Indus, which rises in Tibet, feeds Pakistan's agriculture.
- The Indus which rises in Tibet, feeds Pakistan's agriculture.
- The Indus, which rises in Tibet feeds Pakistan's agriculture.
- The Indus which, rises in Tibet feeds Pakistan's agriculture.
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The Indus, which rises in Tibet, feeds Pakistan's agriculture. — Non-defining clause enclosed by a pair of commas.
- In the 1990's, MNA's changed parties often.
- In the 1990s, MNAs changed parties often.
- In the 1990s', MNAs' changed parties often.
- In the 1990s MNA's, changed parties often.
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In the 1990s, MNAs changed parties often. — No apostrophes for plurals.
- Aid increased, nevertheless poverty persisted.
- Aid increased; nevertheless, poverty persisted.
- Aid increased nevertheless, poverty persisted.
- Aid increased: nevertheless poverty, persisted.
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Aid increased; nevertheless, poverty persisted. — Semicolon before the conjunctive adverb, comma after.
Correct these sentences
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✓ However, the policy failed because of corruption, lack of funds and poor planning.
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✓ The provinces' demands for autonomy grew in the 2000s.
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✓ The reasons include poverty, illiteracy and corruption.
Studied in Week 10 alongside Module 10: Openings and conclusions.
Frequently asked questions
Is it 'its' or 'it's'?
'Its' shows possession ('the party lost its majority'). 'It's' means 'it is'.