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Punctuation 01
Wondering if it might be possible to travel by sea, she turned to the Internet for inspiration.

Punctuation 01

Punctuation shapes meaning. Learn how commas, apostrophes, colons, and ellipses control pace, avoid confusion, and add precision in GCSE English writing and analysis.

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Fascinating Fact:

Ellipses suggest trailing off or a pause. Use them sparingly or your paragraph will wander away…

In GCSE English, punctuation choices guide readers through complex ideas. You will learn how commas, colons, semicolons, apostrophes, and ellipses clarify relationships between clauses and help writers achieve accuracy and effective emphasis.

  • Ellipsis: Three dots that show omitted words or a deliberate trailing off in thought.
  • Semicolon: A mark that links two closely related independent clauses or separates items in complex lists.
  • Apostrophe: A mark used to show possession or missing letters in contractions.
What is the difference between a colon and a semicolon?

A colon introduces or explains what follows, such as a list or definition. A semicolon links two closely related independent clauses without using a conjunction.

When should I use an ellipsis in GCSE English?

Use an ellipsis to show omitted words in quotations or to suggest hesitation or trailing off. Avoid overusing it in formal analytical writing.

How do I fix a comma splice?

Replace the comma with a full stop, use a semicolon, or add a coordinating conjunction like and or but to correctly join the clauses.

1 .
Punctuate the following sentence correctly.

Ever open to adventure frieda began planning a summer trip to buenos aires santiago and lima

Ever open to adventure, frieda began planning a summer holiday to buenos aires, santiago and lima.
Ever open to adventure Frieda began planning a summer holiday to Buenos Aires, Santiago and Lima.
Ever open to adventure, Frieda began planning a summer holiday to Buenos Aires, Santiago and Lima.
Ever open to adventure, Frieda began planning a summer holiday to Buenos Aires, Santiago and Lima
It is amazing how many people still forget capital letters - even at GCSE!
2 .
Punctuate the following sentence correctly.

Although she'd been to south america before she hadn't visited these cities and was very excited
Although she'd been to South America before, she hadn't visited these cities and was very excited.
Although she'd been to South America, before she hadn't visited these cities and was very excited
Although she'd been to South America before she hadn't visited these cities and was very excited.
Although she'd been to South America before, she hadn't visited these cities, and was very excited.
'Although she'd been to South America before' is a subordinate clause and should be followed by a comma when used at the beginning of the sentence
3 .
Punctuate the following sentence correctly.

Frieda was quite afraid of flying despite her love of adventure
Frieda, was quite afraid of flying, despite her love of adventure.
Frieda was quite afraid of flying, despite her love of adventure.
Frieda was, quite afraid of flying, despite her love of adventure.
Frieda, was quite afraid, of flying despite her love, of adventure
'Despite her love of adventure' is another example of a subordinate clause
4 .
Punctuate the following sentence correctly.

Wondering if it might be possible to travel by sea she turned to the internet for inspiration
Wondering if it might be possible to travel by sea, she turned to the Internet for inspiration.
Wondering if it might be possible to travel by sea she turned to the Internet for inspiration.
Wondering if it might be possible to travel by sea, she turned to the internet for inspiration
Wondering, if it might be possible to travel by sea she turned to the Internet for inspiration.
5 .
Punctuate the following sentence correctly.

The prices she found there however were utterly shocking the cheapest return ticket was £3999
The prices she found there, however, were utterly shocking, the cheapest return ticket was £3999

The prices she found there, however, were utterly shocking, the cheapest return ticket was £3999.

The prices she found there however, were utterly shocking, the cheapest return ticket was £3999.
The prices she found there, however, were utterly shocking: the cheapest return ticket was £3999.
'However' must be set apart with a pair of parenthetical commas, while the colon is necessary to avoid a comma splice. It would also be correct to punctuate it as: 'The prices she found there, however, were utterly shocking. The cheapest return ticket was £3999.'
6 .
Punctuate the following sentence correctly.

Since travelling by sea would be out of the question frieda quickly resigned herself to flying
Since travelling by sea would be out of the question Frieda quickly resigned herself to flying.
Since, travelling by sea would be out of the question, Frieda quickly resigned herself to flying.
Since travelling by sea would be out of the question, Frieda quickly resigned herself to flying.
Since travelling by sea, would be out of the question, Frieda quickly resigned herself to flying
7 .
Punctuate the following sentence correctly.

Having made her arrangements frieda eagerly awaited her departure date
Having made her arrangements, Frieda eagerly awaited her departure date.
Having, made her arrangements, Frieda eagerly awaited her departure date.
Having made her arrangements, Frieda, eagerly awaited her departure date.
Having made her arrangements, Frieda eagerly awaited her departure date
8 .
Punctuate the following sentence correctly.

As the 5th of august drew near she felt she could hardly contain her excitement
As the 5th of August drew near she felt she could hardly contain her excitement
As the 5th of August, drew near she felt she could hardly contain her excitement.
As the 5th of August drew near, she felt she could hardly contain her excitement.
As the 5th, of August, drew near she felt she could hardly contain her excitement.
Dates do not need commas, unless used with the day (Tuesday, the 5th of August) - even then, the comma is often omitted
9 .
Punctuate the following sentence correctly.

Her bags packed and her passport waiting next to her new camera frieda spent a sleepless night
Her bags packed, and her passport waiting, next to her new camera, Frieda spent a sleepless night.
Her bags packed and her passport waiting, next to her new camera Frieda spent a sleepless night.
Her bags packed and her passport waiting next to her new camera, Frieda spent a sleepless night.
Her bags packed and her passport waiting next to her new camera, Frieda, spent a sleepless night.
10 .
Punctuate the following sentence correctly.

At last the day dawned hot and bright
At last, the day dawned, hot, and bright.
At last the day, dawned hot and bright.
At last, the day dawned hot and bright
At last, the day dawned hot and bright.
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Punctuation

Author:  Sheri Smith (PhD English Literature, English Teacher & Quiz Writer)

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