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This lesson covers DfE content statements L2.20 and L2.21 — using correct grammar including subject-verb agreement and consistent tense, and using punctuation correctly, including full stops, commas, apostrophes, quotation marks, colons, and semicolons.
Punctuation and grammar together make up the other half of the SPaG marks. Getting these right is not about following complicated rules — it is about making your writing clear, professional, and easy to read.
These are the most basic punctuation marks, but errors with them are surprisingly common under exam pressure.
Full stops go at the end of every sentence. If you are unsure whether something is a sentence, check: does it have a subject and a main verb? Does it express a complete thought? If yes, it ends with a full stop.
Capital letters are used for:
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| The start of a sentence | The report was submitted on time. |
| Proper nouns (names of people, places, organisations) | Sarah, London, NHS, City & Guilds |
| Days of the week and months | Monday, January |
| Titles | Mr, Mrs, Dr, Professor |
| The word "I" | I am writing to confirm... |
| Acronyms and abbreviations | UK, GCSE, HR |
Common mistakes:
Commas are the most misused punctuation mark. Here are the rules you need:
Use commas to separate items in a list:
When a sentence begins with a word or phrase that tells you when, where, or how something happened, put a comma after it:
When a complex sentence starts with the subordinate clause, use a comma before the main clause:
When the main clause comes first, a comma is usually not needed:
Use a pair of commas to enclose information that could be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence:
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, so, or, yet) when it joins two main clauses:
Apostrophes have exactly two uses. Confusion between them is one of the most common errors.
An apostrophe shows where letters have been left out:
| Full Form | Contraction |
|---|---|
| do not | don't |
| I am | I'm |
| they are | they're |
| it is / it has | it's |
| we have | we've |
| should not | shouldn't |
Important: In formal writing (letters, reports), avoid contractions. Write "do not" rather than "don't."
An apostrophe shows that something belongs to someone or something:
| Owner | What They Own | Possessive Form |
|---|---|---|
| the manager | the manager's office | Singular: add 's |
| the employee | the employee's records | Singular: add 's |
| the employees (plural) | the employees' records | Plural ending in s: add ' after the s |
| the children | the children's area | Plural NOT ending in s: add 's |
| James | James's report OR James' report | Both accepted for names ending in s |
Exam Tip: If you are unsure whether to use an apostrophe, ask yourself: "Does this word show ownership, or is it a contraction?" If the answer is neither, you probably do not need one. The most common mistake is putting apostrophes in ordinary plurals — avoid this at all costs.
A colon introduces something — a list, an explanation, or an expansion of the point before it.
The company offers three benefits: private healthcare, a pension scheme, and flexible working.
Rule: The words before the colon must form a complete sentence.
The outcome was inevitable: the company had been losing money for years.
The part after the colon explains or expands on the part before it.
The manager was direct: "This level of service is unacceptable."
A semicolon joins two closely related main clauses that could stand as separate sentences:
The first quarter was strong; the second quarter was disappointing.
Rules:
When to use semicolons vs full stops: Use a semicolon when the two ideas are so closely connected that a full stop would feel like too strong a break.
Use semicolons to separate items in a complex list (where the items contain commas):
The committee includes: Sarah Chen, Head of HR; David Obi, Finance Director; and Maria Torres, Operations Manager.
Use quotation marks when quoting someone's exact words:
The spokesperson said: "We are committed to improving safety standards."
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