Punctuation

Why punctuation matters

Punctuation marks are the traffic signals of writing. They tell readers when to stop, when to pause and how to read a sentence. Without them, writing is confusing.

Let’s eat Grandma! → Let’s eat, Grandma!
I love cooking my family and my dog. → I love cooking, my family and my dog.

One comma changes everything.

End marks

Every sentence finishes with an end mark.

Use just one end mark. Really?!?! belongs in text messages, not school writing.

Commas

The comma is the most used, and most misused, punctuation mark. Here are its main jobs.

1. Lists: We packed sandwiches, apples, juice and cookies. (A comma before and is called the serial or Oxford comma. Some writers use it; some don’t. Be consistent.)
2. Joining two sentences with and, but, or, so: It was cold, so we wore mittens.
3. After an introductory word or phrase: Yes, I’m coming. After lunch, we went outside.
4. Around extra information: My cousin, who lives in Halifax, is visiting.
5. Speaking to someone directly: Sam, please close the door.
6. Dates and places: July 1, 1867; Regina, Saskatchewan.
7. Before a quotation: Mom said, "Time for bed."

Apostrophes

The apostrophe has two jobs.

• Contractions: shows missing letters: can’t, I’m, it’s.
• Possession: shows ownership: the dog’s bone, the girls’ room.

It is never used to make an ordinary plural: apples, not apple’s.

Quotation marks

Quotation marks go around the exact words someone says.

"I found a frog," said Ella.
Ella said, "I found a frog."
"Where," asked Leo, "did you find it?"

Rules to remember:

• Start each new speaker on a new line.
• Commas and periods go inside the closing quotation mark.
• Capitalize the first word of the quote.

Quotation marks are also used for titles of short works: "O Canada", a poem, a chapter or an article.

Colons and semicolons

A colon (:) introduces something: a list, an explanation or an example.
You need three things: a pencil, paper and a ruler.
Use a colon after a complete sentence, not in the middle of one. You need: a pencil ✗

A semicolon (;) joins two complete sentences that are closely related.
I love winter; the snow makes everything quiet.
It can also separate list items that already contain commas: We visited Victoria, BC; Calgary, AB; and Winnipeg, MB.

Other marks

• Hyphen (-) joins words: well-known, twenty-one.
• Dash (—) shows a sudden break or adds emphasis: I opened the box and—surprise!—it was empty.
• Parentheses ( ) hold extra information: The moose (the largest deer) lives in Canada.
• Ellipsis (…) shows missing words or a trailing thought: Well… maybe.

Worked examples

Example 1: Add commas. On Monday we bought milk eggs and bread.
→ On Monday, we bought milk, eggs and bread.

Example 2: Punctuate the dialogue. Can I come asked Mia
→ "Can I come?" asked Mia.

Example 3: Join with a semicolon. The storm was loud. We hid under blankets.
→ The storm was loud; we hid under blankets.

Common mistakes

• Comma splices: I was tired, I went to bed. → I was tired, so I went to bed.
• Apostrophe plurals: taco’s → tacos.
• Missing end marks or using several.
• Comma between subject and verb: My best friend, lives next door. ✗

Try it yourself

1. Add the end mark: What time is it
2. Add commas: Yes I would like pizza pasta and salad.
3. Fix the dialogue: lets go said dad
4. Choose colon or semicolon: Bring these items __ boots, a hat and gloves.

Answers: 1. What time is it? 2. Yes, I would like pizza, pasta and salad. 3. "Let’s go," said Dad. 4. Colon.

Tip for families

Write a short note to your child with no punctuation at all and ask them to fix it with a coloured pen. Then switch: they write one for you. Talk about how the meaning changes when marks move.

Quick recap

• End marks finish sentences.
• Commas separate lists, clauses, introductions and extra information.
• Apostrophes show ownership and contractions, never plurals.
• Quotation marks surround exact words.
• Colons introduce; semicolons join related sentences.