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GCSE English Language · GCSEChapter 11 · Punctuation for effect, Standard English and spelling
GCSE · Chapter 11

Punctuation for effect, Standard English and spelling

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • I can choose the right mark: comma, colon, semicolon, dash or brackets.
  • I can use apostrophes for possession and contraction, and tell its from it's.
  • I can punctuate direct speech with inverted commas.
  • I can use Standard English agreement and avoid double negatives.
  • I can spell the common error words and choose the correct homophone.
  • I can build words with prefixes and suffixes.

You should already know

  • Sentences, clauses and tense (Chapter 10)
  • Writing for effect (Chapters 5 and 6)

Where this leads

  • Mock exam Paper 1 (Chapter 12)
  • Mock exam Paper 2 (Chapter 13)

GCSE English Language. Content follows the GCSE (9-1) subject content for England (Edexcel and AQA). Content references: Use full stops, commas (lists, clauses, parenthesis), colons, semicolons, dashes, brackets and apostrophes correctly (AO6), Use inverted commas for direct speech, and question, exclamation and ellipsis marks for effect (AO6), Use Standard English in formal writing (agreement, double negatives, non-standard forms) (AO6), Spell the GCSE common error words and choose the right homophone (AO6), Use prefixes and suffixes to build and spell words (AO6).

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWhich mark ends a sentence that tells something? Write the mark only.
2
FWhat does an apostrophe show in "Maya's coat"? Write one word: possession or contraction.
3
FWhich spelling is correct: "their" or "there" in "___ is a dog"? Write the word.
4
FWhat is the plural of the word "box"? Write one word.
5
FWhich word is spelled correctly: "separate" or "seperate"? Write the word.
11.1

Punctuation marks: commas, colons, semicolons, dashes and brackets

GCSE
Use full stops, commas (lists, clauses, parenthesis), colons, semicolons, dashes and brackets correctly (AO6)
Video lesson: Punctuation marks: commas, colons, semicolons, dashes and bracketsComing soon
Context. Punctuation shows the reader how to read a sentence. Read the passage and notice the mistakes. The passage has missing commas in a list, a missing apostrophe, and a mistake with its. Correct them, then learn the marks that control the pace and the links.

Passage: a trip to the museum (original, three paragraphs; it contains errors to find and correct)

1The school trip was planned for February, but the weather had other ideas. Mr Hughes said the coach would leave at eight oclock, and every pupil was expected to bring a packed lunch because its important to eat well on a long day.

2Their was a long queue at the gate when we arrived. Nobody knew whether the trip would go ahead but the children were excited anyway. Its the first trip of the year and everyone wanted to see the museum the castle and the river.

3The teacher said we should bring a coat a hat and a notebook for the assessment they will set when we get back. Mrs Patel asked, Who has forgotten their lunch? Three hands went up, and she sighed. We all groaned, because the coach was already loaded with bags. Mr Hughes promised that the coach would be warm and on time. Everybody cheered.

Key ideas

  • Comma: separates items in a list (the museum, the castle and the river); marks a clause or a parenthesis.
  • Colon: introduces a list or an explanation: We need three things: a coat, a hat and a notebook.
  • Semicolon: joins two closely linked main clauses without a conjunction.
  • Dash: adds extra information for effect, or marks a sudden break.
  • Brackets: add extra information that is not essential.
Worked example 11.1.1
Which mark is missing in "the museum the castle and the river"? Write the mark.

Method. Look at the list of three places.

  1. Find the list. The museum, the castle and the river are three items.
    the museum the castle and the river
  2. Check the marks. Items in a list are separated by commas, with and before the last.
    commas
  3. Name the mark. The missing mark is a comma after museum and castle.
    comma
  4. Write the answer.
    comma

Check. Commas separate list items. ✓

Worked example 11.1.2
Which mark introduces a list after "We need three things"? Choose one: a colon, a semicolon or an apostrophe.

Method. Test each choice against the text.

  1. Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
  2. Test the choice. A colon introduces a list or an explanation.
    a colon fits
  3. Reject the other choices. A semicolon joins two main clauses, and an apostrophe shows possession or contraction.
    a semicolon and an apostrophe do not fit
  4. Write the answer.
    a colon

Check. The choice fits the text. ✓

Worked example 11.1.3
Which mark joins two linked main clauses in "The coach was loaded; the pupils were ready"? Write the mark.

Method. Look at the two main clauses.

  1. Find the two clauses. Each side can stand alone as a sentence.
    the coach was loaded
  2. Check the link. The two ideas are closely linked, with no conjunction.
    closely linked
  3. Name the mark. A semicolon joins two linked main clauses.
    semicolon
  4. Write the answer.
    semicolon

Check. The semicolon joins two main clauses. ✓

Exercise 11A  Practice: punctuation marks

1
FWhich mark is missing in "a coat a hat and a notebook"? Write the mark.
2
PSWhich mark should introduce the list in "They packed three things" and the list of items? Write the mark.
3
PSWhich mark is needed in "I wanted to stay; the train left"? Write the mark.
4
RWhich mark adds extra information for effect: a dash or a colon? Write one word.
5
RWhich mark is used for information that is not essential, such as "(the bus was late)"? Write one word: brackets or colon.
6
RWhich is correct: "We need three things: a coat, a hat and a notebook." or "We need: three things a coat a hat and a notebook"? Write the correct sentence's first word.
7
FWhich mark ends a sentence that asks a question? Write the mark only.
8
PSWhich mark is needed after "Hello" in "Hello everyone" shouted loudly? Write the mark.
9
PSInsert a pair of brackets around the extra detail: "The museum was closed on Monday, a sad surprise." Write the corrected sentence.
10
FWhich mark is correct at the end of "The coach was ready" when it is a statement? Write the mark only.
11
PSAdd a comma to make the sentence clearer: "After lunch we walked to the museum." Write the corrected sentence.
11.2

Apostrophes: possession, contraction, its and it's

GCSE
Use apostrophes correctly for possession and contraction, and tell its from it's (AO6)
Video lesson: Apostrophes: possession, contraction, its and it'sComing soon
Context. Apostrophes do two jobs: they show possession (the coat belongs to Maya), and they mark a contraction (it is becomes it's). Its without an apostrophe is the possessive pronoun. The passage has one mistake with its and one missing apostrophe.

Key ideas

  • Possession, singular: the teacher's desk. Plural ending in s: the pupils' bags.
  • Contraction: it is becomes it's; do not becomes don't.
  • its (possessive, no apostrophe) belongs to it. it's means it is.
  • Test: replace it with it is. If the sentence still works, it needs it's.
Worked example 11.2.1
Correct "eight oclock" in the passage. Write the corrected form.

Method. An apostrophe marks the missing letters.

  1. Find the missing letters. O'clock is short for of the clock.
    o'clock
  2. Place the apostrophe. The apostrophe goes where the letters are missing.
    apostrophe
  3. Write the form. The correct form is eight o'clock.
    eight o'clock
  4. Write the answer.
    eight o'clock

Check. The apostrophe marks the missing letters. ✓

Worked example 11.2.2
Which is correct: "its" or "it's"? The sentence is "The dog wagged ___ tail." Choose one: its, it's or its'.

Method. Test each choice against the text.

  1. Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
  2. Test the choice. Its shows that the tail belongs to the dog.
    its fits
  3. Reject the other choices. It's would mean it is, which does not fit the sentence.
    it's and its' do not fit
  4. Write the answer.
    its

Check. The choice fits the text. ✓

Worked example 11.2.3
Write the possessive for one teacher: "The ___ desk". Write the word with the apostrophe.

Method. Possession for a singular noun takes an apostrophe and s.

  1. Find the owner. The desk belongs to one teacher.
    one teacher
  2. Add the apostrophe. A singular noun takes 's.
    's
  3. Write the word. The possessive is teacher's.
    teacher's
  4. Write the answer.
    teacher's

Check. Singular possession takes 's. ✓

Exercise 11B  Practice: apostrophes

1
PSWhich is correct: "Their was a long queue" or "There was a long queue"? Write the correct word.
2
PSWhich is correct: "Its the first trip" or "It's the first trip"? Write the correct form.
3
RWhich is correct: "The dog wagged its tail" or "The dog wagged it's tail"? Write the correct sentence's word: its or it's.
4
RWrite the possessive of the plural noun "the pupils" with the apostrophe in the right place: "the pupils___ bags".
5
FWrite the contraction of "do not": one word with an apostrophe.
6
PSCorrect "Mrs Patel's bag was lost" if the bag belongs to Mrs Patel. Is the apostrophe correct? Write yes or no.
7
RWrite the possessive of "children" as it applies to toys: "the children___ toys". Write the word with the apostrophe.
8
PSWhich is correct: "It's time to leave" or "Its time to leave"? Write the correct form.
9
RWrite one sentence with its used correctly as a possessive pronoun.
10
PSWhich apostrophe is needed in "She didnt know"? Write the correct word.
11
RWhich is a possessive, not a contraction: "the girl's bag" or "the girl's going"? Write the possessive phrase.
11.3

Inverted commas, question and exclamation marks, and ellipsis

GCSE
Use inverted commas for direct speech, and question, exclamation and ellipsis marks for effect (AO6)
Video lesson: Inverted commas, question and exclamation marks, and ellipsisComing soon
Context. Direct speech is shown with inverted commas around the exact words. Each piece of speech starts a new line when the speaker changes. A question mark asks; an exclamation mark shows feeling; an ellipsis (three dots) shows a pause or trailing off. Use them for effect, not too often.

Key ideas

  • Inverted commas go around the exact words spoken: "Who has forgotten?"
  • A comma usually comes before the opening inverted commas in a sentence: Mrs Patel asked, "Who?"
  • Ellipsis: three dots (...) show a pause or an unfinished thought.
Worked example 11.3.1
What punctuation is missing in "Mrs Patel asked, Who has forgotten their lunch?" Write the mark needed around the words.

Method. Look for the exact words spoken.

  1. Find the speech. Who has forgotten their lunch? is said aloud.
    Who has forgotten their lunch?
  2. Check the marks. The words spoken need inverted commas around them.
    inverted commas
  3. Name the marks. Inverted commas are missing.
    inverted commas
  4. Write the answer.
    inverted commas

Check. The speech needs inverted commas. ✓

Worked example 11.3.2
Which is the correct punctuation for direct speech? Choose one: Mrs Patel asked, "Who has forgotten their lunch?", Mrs Patel asked, Who has forgotten their lunch or Mrs Patel asked "Who has forgotten their lunch".

Method. Test each choice against the text.

  1. Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
  2. Test the choice. The comma comes before the opening inverted commas, and the question mark goes inside.
    Mrs Patel asked, "Who has forgotten their lunch?" fits
  3. Reject the other choices. The other two versions miss inverted commas or put the question mark in the wrong place.
    Mrs Patel asked, Who has forgotten their lunch and Mrs Patel asked "Who has forgotten their lunch" do not fit
  4. Write the answer.
    Mrs Patel asked, "Who has forgotten their lunch?"

Check. The choice fits the text. ✓

Worked example 11.3.3
What effect does an ellipsis create in "I thought it would ..." Write one effect.

Method. Look at what the dots do.

  1. Look at the dots. Three dots show the words trail off.
    trail off
  2. Explain the effect. The reader must fill the gap, so the thought is left unfinished.
    left unfinished
  3. Give the effect. The effect is a pause or an unfinished thought.
    a pause or an unfinished thought
  4. Write the answer.
    a pause or an unfinished thought

Check. The dots leave the thought open. ✓

Exercise 11C  Practice: speech and effect marks

1
FWhich mark goes around the exact words in direct speech? Write one word: brackets or inverted commas.
2
PSWhere does the question mark go in "Who has forgotten their lunch?" when the speech is in inverted commas? Write inside or outside.
3
RWhich mark shows a pause or an unfinished thought? Write the mark: ! or ...
4
FWhich mark shows strong feeling? Write the mark: ? or !
5
PSPunctuate this direct speech: the teacher said we should bring a coat. Write the sentence.
6
RWhich mark is needed to show that a speaker hesitated: "I think ... " Write the mark: a dash or a full stop.
7
PSWrite one sentence of direct speech that ends with an exclamation mark.
8
FIs a question mark used when a sentence is not a question? Write yes or no.
9
RWhere do the speech marks go in "He said, Come here," if the speech is "Come here"? Write the corrected sentence's first word: He or Come.
10
RWhich is correct in direct speech: "Come here," she said. or "Come here", she said. Write the mark that goes before she: comma or full stop.
11
RWhich mark ends a sentence that is a command: a full stop or an exclamation mark? Write the mark that shows strong command: exclamation mark or full stop.
11.4

Standard English and homophones

GCSE
Use Standard English in formal writing, and choose the correct homophone (AO6)
Video lesson: Standard English and homophonesComing soon
Context. Homophones sound the same but mean different things: their, there and they're; to, too and two; your and you're; then and than. Choose by meaning, not by sound. Standard English in formal writing avoids double negatives and mismatched verbs.
PairMeaningExample
their / there / they'rebelonging to them / a place or existence / they areTheir coats are in there. They're late.
to / too / twotowards / also or excessively / the number 2Go to the shop. Too many. Two coats.
your / you'rebelonging to you / you areYour bag. You're early.
then / thannext in time / used in comparisonFirst this, then that. Bigger than before.
its / it'sbelonging to it / it isThe dog wagged its tail. It's raining.

Key ideas

  • Their: belongs to them. There: a place or existence. They're: they are.
  • To: towards. Too: also or excessively. Two: the number 2.
  • Your: belongs to you. You're: you are.
  • Then: next in time. Than: used in comparisons.
  • Avoid double negatives in formal writing: I know nothing, not I do not know nothing.
Worked example 11.4.1
Choose the correct word: "___ are coats in ___ hall." Give the first word.

Method. Use the meaning: a place or existence.

  1. Read the sentence. The sentence means coats exist in a place.
    coats exist
  2. Choose. There shows the place or existence.
    There
  3. Give the word. The first word is There.
    There
  4. Write the answer.
    There

Check. There shows existence. ✓

Worked example 11.4.2
Which is correct: "The bag is bigger ___ the box"? Choose one: then, than or that.

Method. Test each choice against the text.

  1. Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
  2. Test the choice. Than is used for a comparison.
    than fits
  3. Reject the other choices. Then is for time, and that does not make a comparison.
    then and that do not fit
  4. Write the answer.
    than

Check. The choice fits the text. ✓

Worked example 11.4.3
Choose the correct word: "Two, too or to: I want ___ go." Write the word.

Method. Use the meaning: towards.

  1. Read the phrase. I want to go means I want to travel towards somewhere.
    to go
  2. Choose. To shows direction or the infinitive.
    to
  3. Write the word. The correct word is to.
    to
  4. Write the answer.
    to

Check. To shows direction. ✓

Exercise 11D  Practice: homophones and Standard English

1
FChoose the correct word: "___ going to the park." Write they're or their.
2
FChoose the correct word: "Is this ___ bag?" Write your or you're.
3
FChoose the correct word: "I have ___ books." Write two or too.
4
PSChoose the correct word: "It was ___ cold for swimming." Write too or two.
5
FChoose the correct word: "She is taller ___ her sister." Write then or than.
6
FChoose the correct word: "First we ate, and ___ we walked." Write then or than.
7
PSChoose the correct word: "___ coat is on the floor." Write your or you're.
8
PSIn a formal letter, which is correct: "I know nothing about it" or "I don't know nothing about it"? Write the correct sentence.
9
PSChoose the correct word: "The team did ___ best." Write their or there or they're.
10
RChoose the correct word: "The stories are ___ and the poems are next." Write then or than.
11
RChoose the Standard English form: "We was late" or "We were late". Write the sentence.
12
PSChoose the correct word: "I have been waiting for ___ hours." Write to, too or two. (Two hours)
11.5

Common error words, prefixes and suffixes

GCSE
Spell the GCSE common error words and use prefixes and suffixes to build and spell words (AO6)
Video lesson: Common error words, prefixes and suffixesComing soon
Context. Some words are spelled wrongly so often that they are called error words. Learn these: definitely, separate, necessary, occurred, environment, government, February, believe. Prefixes add meaning to the front of a word; suffixes change the ending.
WordTip
definitelyde-fin-ite-ly: the word finite is inside it
separatesep-a-rate: there is a rat in separate
necessaryone collar, two sleeves: ne-cess-ary
occurredtwo cs and two rs: oc-cur-red
environmenten-vi-ron-ment: the iron is in environment
governmentgov-ern-ment: govern is inside
FebruaryFeb-ru-ary: the first r is often dropped
believebe-lie-ve: i before e, except after c, when it sounds like ee

Key ideas

  • Prefix: un- (unnecessary), mis- (misspell), dis- (disappear), re- (reread).
  • Suffix: -ly (quickly), -ful (careful), -less (careless), -ness (kindness).
  • Spell error words from their memory tip and check them in a dictionary.
Worked example 11.5.1
Spell the word that means "not necessary" using the prefix un-. Write the word.

Method. Add the prefix un- to necessary.

  1. Find the base word. Necessary is the base word.
    necessary
  2. Add the prefix. Un- means not.
    un-
  3. Write the word. The word is unnecessary.
    unnecessary
  4. Write the answer.
    unnecessary

Check. Un- plus necessary is unnecessary. ✓

Worked example 11.5.2
Which spelling of the error word is correct? Choose one: seperate, separate or separete.

Method. Test each choice against the text.

  1. Read what the question asks for. Decide what the sentence or the text needs.
  2. Test the choice. Separate has an a in the middle, sep-a-rate.
    separate fits
  3. Reject the other choices. The other two spellings are common mistakes.
    seperate and separete do not fit
  4. Write the answer.
    separate

Check. The choice fits the text. ✓

Worked example 11.5.3
Add the suffix -ly to "careful". Write the word.

Method. Change the y before adding -ly.

  1. Look at the base. Careful ends in -ful, and the suffix -ly follows.
    careful
  2. Add the suffix. Adding -ly gives carefully.
    -ly
  3. Write the word. The word is carefully.
    carefully
  4. Write the answer.
    carefully

Check. The suffix -ly makes an adverb. ✓

Exercise 11E  Practice: error words, prefixes and suffixes

1
FWhich is the correct spelling: "definately", "definitly" or "definitely"? Write the word.
2
FWhich is the correct spelling: "necessery", "necessary" or "neccesary"? Write the word.
3
FWhich is the correct spelling: "occured", "occurred" or "ocurred"? Write the word.
4
PSWhich is the correct spelling: "enviroment" or "environment"? Write the word.
5
PSWhich is the correct spelling: "goverment" or "government"? Write the word.
6
PSWhich is the correct spelling of the month: "Febuary", "February" or "Febrary"? Write the word.
7
PSWhich is the correct spelling: "beleive" or "believe"? Write the word.
8
FAdd the prefix dis- to "appear". Write the word.
9
PSAdd the suffix -less to "care". Write the word.
10
RAdd the prefix mis- to "spell". Write the word.
11
RAdd the suffix -ness to "kind". Write the word.
12
PSWrite the word that means "not necessary", using the prefix un-. Write the word.
13
RWhich prefix means "again"? Write the prefix: re- or un-.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Punctuation marksCommas for lists, colons to introduce, semicolons between linked clauses, dashes for aside, brackets for extra information
ApostrophesPossession (teacher's, pupils'), contraction (don't), and its (no apostrophe) versus it's (it is)
Speech and effect marksInverted commas around exact words, a comma before, question or exclamation inside, ellipsis for a pause
Homophones and Standard EnglishTheir, there, they're; to, too, two; your, you're; then, than; avoid double negatives and mismatched verbs
Error words, prefixes and suffixesLearn the error words with a memory tip; build words with un-, mis-, dis-, re-, -ly, -ful, -less, -ness

Can you…?

  • I can choose the right mark: comma, colon, semicolon, dash or brackets
  • I can use apostrophes for possession and contraction, and tell its from it's
  • I can punctuate direct speech with inverted commas
  • I can choose the correct homophone by its meaning
  • I can spell the common error words and build words with prefixes and suffixes

Key terms

apostrophe
a mark showing possession or a contraction
contraction
a shortened form, such as don't, with an apostrophe
homophone
a word that sounds the same as another but has a different meaning
inverted commas
the marks around exact spoken words
ellipsis
three dots that show a pause or an unfinished thought
prefix
letters added to the front of a word to change its meaning
suffix
letters added to the end of a word to change its form

Exercise 11Z  Check-up

1
Which mark is missing in "the museum the castle and the river"? Write the mark.
2
Which mark introduces a list: a colon or a semicolon? Write one word.
3
Which spelling is correct: "their" or "there" in "___ is a queue at the gate"? Write the word.
4
Correct "Its the first trip" to Standard English. Write the corrected word for Its.
5
Correct "eight oclock" to its correct form. Write the word.
6
Choose the correct word: "The bag is bigger ___ the box." Write then or than.
7
Correct "We was late" to Standard English. Write the corrected verb.
8
Spell the error word that means "not necessary" with the prefix un-. Write the word.
9
Write the correct form: "Mrs Patel asked, Who has forgotten their lunch?" with the speech punctuated.

Total 22 marks. Allow about 22 minutes.

Exercise 11X  Exam-style questions

1
FCorrect the spelling of the error word in: "It is definately going to rain." Write the correct word.[1 mark]
2
FChoose the correct word: "Their are three coats ___ on the hook." Write the word that completes the sentence: there or they're.[1 mark]
3
FPunctuate this list: "We need a coat a hat and a notebook." Write the corrected sentence.[2 marks]
4
FCorrect the apostrophe in: "Its the first trip of the year." Write the corrected sentence.[2 marks]
5
RAdd the prefix mis- to "understand" and write the word. Explain its meaning in one phrase.[2 marks]
6
PSChoose the correct word: "I am ___ tired than yesterday." Write then or than.[2 marks]
7
FRewrite in Standard English: "I don't know nothing about it." Write the corrected sentence.[2 marks]
8
RExplain the effect of the dash in: "The bus was late - again." Write one sentence.[3 marks]
9
PSWrite one sentence of direct speech with a question mark, punctuated correctly with inverted commas.[3 marks]
10
FChoose the correct word and spell it correctly: "I ___ it is necessary." Write the word that completes the sentence: believe or beleive.[1 mark]
11
RExplain the effect of the ellipsis in: "I thought we could... " Write one sentence.[3 marks]
← Chapter 10: Grammar: sentence types, clauses, tense and moodChapter 12: Mock exam: Paper 1 (reading fiction and creative writing) →

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