Punctuation, conjunctions and transition words

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 2

Punctuation, conjunctions and transition words

Lesson goals 

• Learn how to use punctuations and conjuctions correctly in a sentence
• Use proper transition words and conjunctions 
• Learn to correct the punctuation errors and explain your choices.

The purpose 

Punctuation is a mark or symbol used in your writing that helps readers separate elements of a sentence, making your text easier to understand. Without punctuation marks, interpreting what a writer is intending to say would be a great challenge. 

What Is an Apostrophe?

• An apostrophe can be used for contractions (or a shortened version of a word):
• Let’s go to the Bahamas next weekend.

• Apostrophes are also used in possessives.
• Evelyn’s house was rented out for the holidays.

What Is an Colon?

A colon introduces a list, separates clauses, and can help add emphasis.

• I have three favorite books: A Confederacy of Dunces, Talking to Strangers, and When Breath Becomes Air.
  

• Suzanne has a lot of time to practice guitar: she just quit her job.
  

• I finally found out who has been sneaking in and eating all my snacks: Duncan.
  

Colons are also used as a symbol to tell time (12:00) and express a ratio (2:4).

What Is an semi-colon?

Semicolons connect independent clauses. It can show a closer relationship between the clauses compared to a period, but less separation than a colon.

We bought a house on the beach; the water is just 20 steps away from us.

What are Dashes?

There are two types of dashes: en dashes and em dashes.

En dashes (–) represent a range between numbers, dates, and times. They also establish a relationship between words and ideas.

• We met during the 2011–2012 school year.
  
• Clark went to the Miami Heat–Boston Celtics game.
  

• Em dashes (—) are extremely versatile and can replace commas, colons, and parentheses. Like colons, they can help add emphasis.
  
• We visited several countries this summer—Spain, Ireland, Germany, and Norway.

What Is a Hyphen?

Hyphens have several uses. They’re commonly used to join compound words, join adjectives before nouns, and indicate fractions.

• We missed our check-in and had to reschedule the entire trip.
  

• Karen wanted nothing more than to deliver a well-prepared project.
  

• Sparky had eaten two-thirds of the cake by the time we caught him.

What Are Parentheses?

Parentheses (singular: parenthesis) allow the writers to add more information.

• Both Golden Retrievers (who coincidentally came from the same breeder) were found playing in the park.
  

Please note that in British English, parentheses are known as brackets and vice versa, and are represented by […].

What Are Quotation Marks?

Quotation marks are used when a quote is being used word for word or to indicate dialogue.

• Mark asked with enthusiasm, “ Did I get the promotion? ”
  

Like apostrophes, there are straight and curly quotation marks.

Choose the correct punctuation to fix the run-on sentence:

The sun was setting it cast a beautiful orange glow over the horizon

1. The sun was setting, it cast a beautiful orange glow over the horizon.
2. The sun was setting - it cast a beautiful orange glow over the horizon.
3. The sun was setting (it cast a beautiful orange glow over the horizon.)
4. The sun was setting; it cast a beautiful orange glow over the horizon.

Select the appropriate punctuation to correct the run-on sentence:

She loved to dance she often performed in local shows

1. She loved to dance--she often performed in local shows.
2. She loved to dance, she often performed in local shows.
3. She loved to dance: she often performed in local shows.
4. She loved to dance; she often performed in local shows.

Identify the correct punctuation to fix the run-on sentence:

The book was thrilling the plot kept me on the edge of my seat

1. The book was thrilling, the plot kept me on the edge of my seat.
2. The book was thrilling; the plot kept me on the edge of my seat.
3. The book was thrilling - the plot kept me on the edge of my seat.
4. The book was thrilling (the plot kept me on the edge of my seat.)

Choose the accurate punctuation to correct the run-on passage:

He ran fast he knew he had to catch the train

1. He ran fast - he knew he had to catch the train.
2. He ran fast; he knew he had to catch the train.
3. He ran fast (he knew he had to catch the train.)
4. He ran fast, he knew he had to catch the train.

Pick the proper punctuation to fix the run-on sentence:

The storm was approaching it looked like it would be a big one

1. The storm was approaching - it looked like it would be a big one.
2. The storm was approaching (it looked like it would be a big one.)
3. The storm was approaching, it looked like it would be a big one.
4. The storm was approaching. It looked like it would be a big one.

Run-on exercise

• Go to Canvas 
• Complete the following run-on exercise and place the correct punctuation in the passages/sentences. 

Articles wanted


A new leisure activity

Have you started a new indoor or outdoor leisure activity?
Who introduced you to the activity, and how have they helped you with it?
How important is it for people to do activities in their spare time?

Write your article in 140 – 190 words in an appropriate style.

writeandimprove.com