End Marks
End marks are the punctuation marks that go at the end of a sentence. There
are three common end marks:
• (.) The period, used after most statements—and also after abbreviations
• (!) The exclamation point, used after commands or statements that show
excitement or strong emotion
• (?) The question mark, used for questions
Commas
Commas are used:
• After introductory dependent clauses beginning with words like if, when,
because, after, before, although, or other conjunctions:
Whenever danger threatens, small animals hide in their burrows.
• After two or more introductory phrases:
At the back of the restaurant, there is a private room for parties.
• To separate three or more items in a list:
The children rushed down the stairs, out the door, and into the yard.
• To separate two or more words describing a word that follows:
The telephone operator had a pleasant, cheerful, clear voice.
• To separate two independent clauses joined by a coordinating
conjunction: and, but, nor, for, or, so, and yet:
Bruce usually felt at home in the wilderness, yet tonight he was afraid
for some unknown reason.
• To set off transitional or parenthetical expressions:
My mother, on the other hand, is not feeling well.
Of course, this is not the right time to discuss vacations.
• To set off modifying phrases:
Christiana Ferrell, the new art teacher, is starting on Monday.
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Part A: End Punctuation
Instructions: Choose the correct punctuation mark—period (.), question mark (?), or exclamation point (!)—to complete each sentence appropriately.
- They were able to solve the problem without too much trouble
- Do we have some time before the show begins
- Watch your fingers when you use that knife
Part B: Comma Usage
Instructions: The paragraph below contains multiple errors in comma placement. Rewrite the paragraph, adding commas where needed to clarify meaning and ensure proper sentence structure.
On ice-covered lakes and seas ships called icebreakers are needed. These ships are used in the Great Lakes Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea. An icebreaker which has powerful engines has sides that are plated with metal. When the icebreaker lifts its front onto the ice the weight crushes the ice.
ANSWERS
Part A: End Punctuation
1. They were able to solve the problem without too much trouble.
Answer:
Correct punctuation: Period (.)
Explanation:
This is a declarative sentence because it states a fact or observation without asking a question or expressing strong emotion. In formal writing, declarative sentences always end with a period.
2. Do we have some time before the show begins?
Answer:
Correct punctuation: Question mark (?)
Explanation:
This is an interrogative sentence, meaning it asks a direct question. Therefore, a question mark is the appropriate end punctuation to indicate that the sentence is seeking information.
3. Watch your fingers when you use that knife!
Answer:
Correct punctuation: Exclamation point (!)
Explanation:
This is an imperative sentence issuing a warning or urgent command. The exclamation point emphasizes the seriousness or urgency of the directive, making it the most suitable punctuation mark.
Part B: Comma Usage
Original Paragraph (with no commas):
On ice-covered lakes and seas ships called icebreakers are needed. These ships are used in the Great Lakes Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea. An icebreaker which has powerful engines has sides that are plated with metal. When the icebreaker lifts its front onto the ice the weight crushes the ice.
Corrected Paragraph (with proper commas):
On ice-covered lakes and seas, ships called icebreakers are needed. These ships are used in the Great Lakes, Atlantic Ocean, and Baltic Sea. An icebreaker, which has powerful engines, has sides that are plated with metal. When the icebreaker lifts its front onto the ice, the weight crushes the ice.
Explanation of Comma Placement:
1. After “seas” in the first sentence:
“On ice-covered lakes and seas, ships called icebreakers are needed.”
- Explanation: A comma follows a long introductory phrase to separate it from the main clause, improving readability and clarity.
2. In the list of seas:
“These ships are used in the Great Lakes, Atlantic Ocean, and Baltic Sea.”
- Explanation: This is a list of three items (Great Lakes, Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea). Commas are used to separate items in a series. The optional Oxford comma before “and” is acceptable and encouraged in formal writing for clarity.
3. Around the nonrestrictive clause “which has powerful engines”:
“An icebreaker, which has powerful engines, has sides that are plated with metal.”
- Explanation: “Which has powerful engines” is nonrestrictive, meaning it adds extra information not essential to identifying the subject. Nonrestrictive clauses are always enclosed with commas.
4. After “ice” in the final sentence:
“When the icebreaker lifts its front onto the ice, the weight crushes the ice.”
- Explanation: A comma separates the dependent introductory clause (“When the icebreaker lifts its front onto the ice”) from the main clause. This is a standard grammatical rule to enhance sentence structure and readability.