Month: November 2025
Quiz: Inverted Commas (Quotation Marks) ✍️
1, What is the correct sentence?
- “Hurry up!” shouted the coach.
- “Hurry up”, shouted the coach.
- “Hurry up!” shouted the coach.
- Hurry up!” shouted the coach.
The correct sentences are:
- “Hurry up!” shouted the coach.
- “Hurry up!”, shouted the coach. (This option is also correct, following similar comma placement rules to the previous examples, though less common than placing the comma inside a quotation with a period).
The other two options are incorrect due to:
“Hurry up!” shouted the coach. (The comma is missing after “Hurry up!” to separate the quote from the dialogue tag “shouted the coach”).
Hurry up!” shouted the coach. (Missing opening quotation mark).
2, What is the correct sentence?
- Rani said, “I am coming”.
- Rani said “I am coming”.
- Rani said, I am coming.
- “I am coming”, said Rani.
The correct sentences are:
- Rani said, “I am coming”.
- “I am coming,” said Rani.
The other options are incorrect due to punctuation errors:
- Rani said “I am coming”. This is incorrect because a comma is missing after “said” to introduce the direct quotation.
- Rani said, I am coming. This is incorrect because quotation marks are missing around the direct speech.
Quiz: Apostrophe Used to Show Possession ✍️
Exclamation Mark (!) ✍️
An exclamation mark (!) is a punctuation mark used to show strong feelings, emphasis, or sudden expressions in writing. It adds emotion, excitement, surprise, or urgency to a sentence. Unlike a period (.), which ends a neutral sentence, the exclamation mark makes the sentence more expressive and lively. 😊
1. To Show Strong Emotions ❤️😮
Exclamation marks are used when a sentence shows happiness, anger, surprise, fear, or excitement.
2. To Show Commands or Urgent Instructions ⚡
When giving a command, warning, or instruction, exclamation marks make it more forceful.
3. In Interjections 🌟
Exclamation marks are used with interjections, which are short words expressing emotion or reaction.
4. To Add Emphasis in Sentences 🔥
Sometimes, exclamation marks emphasize a point, making it stronger or dramatic.
The exclamation mark (!) is essential for expressing strong feelings, commands, surprises, or excitement in writing. Using it correctly makes sentences more lively, emotional, and engaging. But be careful: using too many exclamation marks can make writing seem overdramatic. Balance is key! 📝😊
Comma (,) ✍️
✍️ Comma (,)
A comma (,) is a punctuation mark used to show a short pause in a sentence. Commas help make writing clearer, organized, and easier to read. They separate ideas, list items, and prevent confusion. 😊
1. To Separate Items in a List 📝
Commas are used to separate three or more words, phrases, or items in a sentence.
2. Before Conjunctions (and, but, or) ⚡
Commas are often used before conjunctions to join two independent clauses.
3. After Introductory Words or Phrases 🌟
Use a comma after introductory words, phrases, or clauses at the start of a sentence.
4. To Separate Extra Information (Non-Essential Clauses) 🧩
Commas are used to set off extra information that is not essential to the main meaning.
5. With Direct Speech 🗣️
Commas are used before or after direct speech to separate it from the rest of the sentence.
6. With Dates, Addresses, and Numbers 📅📍
Commas help organize dates, addresses, and large numbers.
Commas make writing clear, smooth, and readable. They show short pauses, separate items, organize ideas, and prevent confusion. Remember: a comma can change the meaning of a sentence, so use it carefully! 📝😊
Inverted Commas (Quotation Marks)
Inverted commas, also known as quotation marks (“ ”), are punctuation marks used to show exact words spoken, quotations, titles, or to highlight special words. They help make writing clearer and more expressive. 😊
🔹 1. To Show Direct Speech 🗣️
🔹 2. To Quote Someone’s Words 📖
🔹 3. To Show Titles of Short Works 🎵📘
🔹 4. To Highlight Special or Unusual Words ✨
🔹 5. Punctuation with Inverted Commas ⚠️
Apostrophe Used to Show Possession ✍️
An apostrophe ( ’ ) is used to show possession, meaning that something belongs to someone or something. This is one of the most important uses of the apostrophe in English. When we add an apostrophe, we show who owns or possesses something. 😊
🔹 1. Possession with Singular Nouns
For most singular nouns, we add ’s to show ownership.
🔹 2. Possession with Plural Nouns Ending in -s
If the noun is plural and already ends with s, we add only an apostrophe ( ’ ) after the s.
🔹 3. Possession with Plural Nouns NOT Ending in -s
If the plural noun does not end in s, we add ’s.
🔹 4. Possession with Names Ending in -s
For names ending in s, both forms are acceptable, but the most common is ’s.
🔹 5. Possession of Things
We can also show possession with things, places, or groups.
Use an apostrophe to show ownership, but remember the correct form depends on whether the noun is singular, plural, or ends with s. Apostrophes make writing clearer and more meaningful. 📝😊
Quiz: Apostrophes in Contractions ✍️
✍️Apostrophe Used in Contractions
What is an apostrophe in contractions?
The apostrophe (’ or ‘) is used to form contractions — shortened forms of words created by leaving out letters. The apostrophe shows where the letters were removed. Contractions make speech and informal writing sound natural and friendly. They are common in conversation, emails, stories, and when we want a conversational tone 😊.
🔧 How contractions are formed
A contraction combines two words into one by removing letters and inserting an apostrophe where the missing letters belong. For example, do not → don’t (the o is removed and replaced by an apostrophe).
📘 Common contractions & examples
✅ Important common rules & warnings
It’s vs Its: It’s = it is / it has (contraction). Its (no apostrophe) = belonging to it. Example: It’s cold today. vs The dog wagged its tail.
You’re vs Your: You’re = you are. Your = belonging to you. Example: You’re late. vs Is this your pen?
Do not use apostrophes to make plurals of ordinary nouns (no ’s for plurals). Incorrect: apple’s for more than one apple. ✅ Correct: apples.
Formal writing caution: Contractions are fine in speech and informal writing, but use full forms (do not, cannot, it is) in formal essays and some exams ✍️.
🔎 More examples in sentences
- He’ll come later — short for He will.
- She’s finished her work — short for She has or She is (use context to decide).
- We’ve been waiting for an hour — short for We have.
- They’ve never seen the sea — short for They have.
- I’d love to help — contraction of I would or I had (context matters).