English and Language Usage Study Guide for the TEAS

Conventions of Standard English: Punctuation

Punctuation questions on the TEAS 7 English and Language Usage Test assess your knowledge of simple and complex punctuation rules, including the proper use of commas and semicolons. Simple punctuation questions request that you insert the proper punctuation symbol, while more complex questions may mention punctuation errors and sentence types by name, including complex sentence, comma splice, and run-on sentence. To prepare for this part of the test, practice identifying accurate punctuation as well as inaccurate use of punctuation marks. You must also understand the rules regarding periods, colons, and exclamation points.

Using Commas ( , )

Used in a sentence, a comma usually separates a list of things or shows you where you would pause briefly when reading. It increases the clarity of the sentence. This is a good example:

The store had blue, red, and green candy. In some cases, the candy was cheap.

Comma splice—This occurs when you put a comma, instead of a period, between two complete sentences. Example: Sue went home, she was tired. It should be: “Sue went home. She was tired.”

Using Quotation Marks ( “ ” )

These marks are used to enclose the exact words spoken. It is easy to misuse them if you’re not careful.

Indirect Quotations

If you are simply relaying the gist of what someone said, and not quoting them directly, the words would not require quotation marks. For example, quotation marks are used incorrectly here:

The preacher said “to place your nametags in the basket on the way out.”

The preacher did not say “to place…” so this is an indirect quotation and quotation marks should not be used.

Direct Quotations

On the other hand, if you are repeating the exact words that a person uttered (a direct quotation), quotation marks are needed, as here:

The preacher said, “Please place your nametags in the basket on the way out.”

Now, the words within the quotation marks are the exact words uttered by the preacher.

Other Punctuation Considerations

Period ( . )—This mark goes only at the end of a complete thought that includes at least one subject and one verb. Don’t judge by length. The phrase “the very heavy, red, wet package” does not need a period. It doesn’t tell what the package does or where it is, because there is no verb.

Colon ( : )—This mark indicates that a list or other pertinent information will follow. Examples: “The child knew several numbers: 2, 4, and 6.” “She had one mission: to make it home in one piece.”

Semicolon ( ; )—A semicolon separates two complete thoughts that are related. Example: “The child was cold; she had slept outside.”

Apostrophe ( ‘ )—The apostrophe is probably the most misused punctuation mark in general writing. When correctly used, it has two main purposes:

• to indicate missing letters in a contraction: can’t (indicates that the n and o are missing from the original words, can not)
• to indicate possession: Blake’s ball (indicates that the ball belongs to Blake) The word its is the only possessive that does not use an apostrophe to indicate possession. If you see the word it’s, it is always the contraction for it is.

Note: An apostrophe is almost never used to indicate a plural. The word “cats” (not “cat’s”) is the plural of cat. The only exception is when forming the plural of a lowercase letter, as in this sentence: “Circle all the a’s on this page.” The plural of capital letters does not use the apostrophe: “Circle all the As on this page.”*

Sentence Types and Punctuation

Sentences can be categorized into one of four types: simple, compound, complex, and complex-compound. Each has punctuation rules that govern what punctuation can be used and where. When crafting or evaluating a sentence to determine what type it is, it is important to consider the sections within the sentence as opposed to just the length.

Simple sentences, for example, can be lengthy, but they contain only one complete thought. To be complete, all sentences must have a subject, a verb, and express a complete thought.

Using a variety of sentence types helps make a text more engaging for the reader. If every sentence is a simple sentence, writing can sound very staccato and basic. If every sentence is long and complex, it can be arduous to read. It is most effective to vary the sentence types and length.

A Simple Sentence

A simple sentence is the most basic type of sentence. It is made up of only one independent clause (a group of words that forms a complete sentence) and no dependent clauses (a group of words that must be attached to an independent clause to have clear meaning). A simple sentence can be short:

The dog barked.

Simple sentences can also be lengthier:

The young black and brown dog living next door barked loudly all day.

Simple sentences may include internal punctuation in the form of commas to separate items in a list or colons to denote an example and may end with a period, question mark, or exclamation point.

We’ll need sugar, eggs, milk, and flour to make the cake.

The jury returned its verdict: guilty.

What a fun afternoon!

Do you know what time the store closes?

A Compound Sentence

A compound sentence is created by linking multiple independent clauses together. There are no dependent clauses in a compound sentence. The independent clauses may be joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or by using a semicolon between them. Here are some examples:

Joining with a comma and a coordinating conjunction:

Sam arrived at work late. He was given a warning. (two independent clauses)
Sam arrived at work late, so he was given a warning.

Lance wanted to watch Spider-Man. Marla wanted to watch Alien. Steve wanted to take a nap. (three independent clauses)
Lance wanted to watch Spider-Man, but Marla wanted to watch Alien, and Steve wanted to take a nap.

Is the test on Thursday? Has it been postponed until next week?
Is the test on Thursday, or has it been postponed until next week?

Joining with a semicolon:

Seven inches of snow fell overnight. The skiing was great!
Seven inches of snow fell overnight; the skiing was great!

Waffles are Fred’s favorite food. He could eat them every day.
Waffles are Fred’s favorite food; he could eat them every day.

A Complex Sentence

Complex sentences build on simple sentences by adding at least one dependent clause to an independent clause. The dependent clause can be added either before or after the independent clause.

If added before the independent clause, a comma is used between the clauses. Here are two examples:

When Bob calls, please answer the phone.

If the dependent clause comes last in the sentence, no comma is usually necessary.

Please answer the phone when Bob calls.

Like simple sentences, complex sentences may end in a period, question mark, or exclamation point.

A Compound-Complex Sentence

As the name suggests, a compound-complex sentence contains the most parts. A compound-complex sentence is formed when at least one dependent clause is added to two or more independent clauses. These lengthy sentences can become confusing, so it is best to use them sparingly. As with other sentence types, internal commas may be used to separate the clauses to avoid confusion. Here are some examples:

Although he was late for school, Tom stopped for a cup of coffee and a donut but he spilled his coffee in his rush.

Jordan ran around the track and beat his personal best time because he’d been practicing every day.

Liza moved to Siena, Italy, which is beautiful, and I went to visit her when I attended the conference in nearby Florence.