Punctuation – English Grammar Exercises for A2
Choose the correct option (a, b, or c) to complete the sentences. Pay close attention to punctuation to avoid run-on sentences or comma splices.
1 “I have finished the ______ will send it to you now.”
(a) report. I
(b) report, I
(c) report I
2 “The files are ______ let me know if you need anything else.”
(a) attached, please
(b) attached. Please
(c) attached Please
3 “I completed the training ______ you for your help.”
(a) module, thank
(b) module thank
(c) module. Thank
4 “The presentation is ______ saved it in the shared folder.”
(a) ready I
(b) ready. I
(c) ready, I
5 “I updated the client ______ can check it now.”
(a) list. You
(b) list, you
(c) list you
6 “I have fixed the error in the ______ will print it shortly.”
(a) document, I
(b) document I
(c) document. I
7 “The meeting minutes are attached to this ______ a great weekend.”
(a) email, have
(b) email. Have
(c) email Have
8 “I called the supplier this ______ will deliver the goods tomorrow.”
(a) morning. They
(b) morning, they
(c) morning they
9 “The homework is ______ will hand it in tomorrow.”
(a) complete, I
(b) complete I
(c) complete. I
10 “I received your ______ will make the changes right away.”
(a) feedback I
(b) feedback. I
(c) feedback, I
11 “I sent the invoice to the ______ confirmed receipt.”
(a) client. They
(b) client, they
(c) client they
12 “The data entry is ______ me know the next steps.”
(a) done let
(b) done, let
(c) done. Let
13 “I have reviewed the ______ looks fine.”
(a) contract. Everything
(b) contract, everything
(c) contract everything
14 “I checked the inventory ______ have enough stock for this week.”
(a) levels, we
(b) levels. We
(c) levels we
15 “The project is finally ______ need to check it one more time.”
(a) finished, however, I
(b) finished however I
(c) finished. However, I
16 “I prepared the slides for ______ printed the handouts.”
(a) tomorrow. Also, I
(b) tomorrow, also I
(c) tomorrow also I
17 “I have done the tasks you asked ______ there anything else?”
(a) for, is
(b) for. Is
(c) for Is
18 “The draft is ______ you want me to send it to the manager?”
(a) complete, do
(b) complete Do
(c) complete. Do
19 “I fixed the bugs in the ______ system is working well now.”
(a) code. The
(b) code, the
(c) code, The
20 “I will be on leave ______ have finished all my pending work today.”
(a) tomorrow, I
(b) tomorrow. I
(c) tomorrow I
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (a)
Explanation: “I have finished the report” and “I will send it to you now” are two independent clauses with their own subjects and verbs. A full stop (.) must be used to separate them. Option (b) is a comma splice (incorrectly using a comma to join two full sentences). Option (c) is a run-on sentence missing punctuation entirely.
2 (b)
Explanation: Similarly, a full stop is required to end the first statement, and the next word “Please” must be capitalized. (a) is a comma splice; (c) lacks a full stop.
3 (c)
Explanation: End the statement about the completed task with a full stop, followed by the new sentence “Thank you”. (a) is a comma splice error; (b) is a run-on.
4 (b)
Explanation: These are two separate ideas. You must use a full stop. (c) is a common comma splice mistake.
5 (a)
Explanation: The sentence “I updated the client list” is complete. The pronoun “You” must be capitalized after a full stop. (b) violates basic grammar rules by using a comma to connect two independent clauses.
6 (c)
Explanation: The correct option uses a full stop and capitalizes the pronoun “I”. The error in (a) is a comma splice, and (b) is a run-on sentence.
7 (b)
Explanation: “Have a great weekend” is an imperative sentence and must stand alone. Options (a) and (c) fail to separate the sentences correctly.
8 (a)
Explanation: “They will deliver…” introduces a new subject and verb. A full stop is mandatory. Option (b) is a very common comma splice error for A2 learners.
9 (c)
Explanation: Finishing the work and handing it in are structured here as two independent clauses. The full stop in (c) is correct.
10 (b)
Explanation: You need to break the sentence after “feedback”. Option (c) is incorrect because a comma cannot join two independent clauses.
11 (a)
Explanation: The pronoun “They” starts a new sentence. Using a full stop in (a) is the only grammatically accurate choice.
12 (c)
Explanation: “Let me know” is an independent imperative clause. Place a full stop after “done” and capitalize “Let”.
13 (a)
Explanation: Both clauses have their own subjects and verbs. (b) is a comma splice trap, and (c) is a run-on trap.
14 (b)
Explanation: Option (b) correctly separates the two distinct statements: “I checked…” and “We have…”. Option (a) misuses the comma.
15 (c)
Explanation: “However” is a conjunctive adverb. At the A2 level, it is safest and most correct to start a new sentence with it after a full stop, followed by a comma.
16 (a)
Explanation: Similar to Q15, “Also” is used to add information and typically starts a new sentence, followed by a comma.
17 (b)
Explanation: The question “Is there anything else?” must be completely separated from the preceding declarative sentence using a full stop.
18 (c)
Explanation: The question “Do you want me to…” starts a completely new thought. Option (c) correctly separates it with a full stop.
19 (a)
Explanation: A full stop separates the two independent clauses. Option (c) is a visual distractor; it uses a comma but capitalizes “The”, which is structurally inconsistent and incorrect.
20 (b)
Explanation: Two clear, separate actions: taking leave tomorrow and having finished the work today. They must be divided by a full stop.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
- The Full Stop (Period): It is mandatory to use a full stop (.) to end a complete sentence (one that contains a full Subject + Verb structure).
- The “Comma Splice” Trap: Avoid using a comma (,) to join two independent clauses (e.g., I finished the report, I will send it to you -> INCORRECT). This is one of the most common errors in business email writing.
- Capitalization: Always remember to use a capital letter for the first word immediately following a full stop.