Punctuation – English Grammar Exercises for A2
Separating News – Messaging a class group about the classroom being closed and where the alternative study location is. Choose the best option to fill in the blank. Pay close attention to punctuation and capitalization.
1 The classroom is closed today ______ we will study in the library.
(a) , we
(b) . We
(c) we
2 Room 302 is locked ______ please go to Room 405
(a) . please
(b) , please
(c) . Please
3 We have a new classroom ______ it is on the second floor.
(a) . It
(b) . it
(c) , it
4 The teacher is waiting ______ don't be late.
(a) don't
(b) . Don't
(c) , don't
5 The library is open ______ we can sit there.
(a) ? We
(b) , we
(c) . We
6 Hello guys, our room is unavailable ______ we need to move to the main hall.
(a) , we
(b) . We
(c) . we
7 The door was locked ______ I asked the security guard for help.
(a) . I
(b) , I
(c) . i
8 There is no electricity in our room ______ the lesson will be in the computer lab.
(a) the
(b) . The
(c) , the
9 Mr. Smith left a note on the door ______ we should read it carefully.
(a) , we
(b) we
(c) . We
10 The projector is broken ______ we will use the whiteboard in the next room.
(a) . we
(b) . We
(c) , we
11 I checked the school schedule ______ our class is moved to the science lab.
(a) . Our
(b) our
(c) , our
12 Please bring your coursebooks ______ we will do a reading test today.
(a) , we
(b) . we
(c) . We
13 The maintenance team is painting the room ______ the smell is too strong.
(a) . the
(b) . The
(c) , the
14 I am waiting outside the library ______ come and find me.
(a) , come
(b) come
(c) . Come
15 Don't go to the main building ______ it is closed for repairs.
(a) . It
(b) , it
(c) . it
16 Look at the group message ______ the location has changed.
(a) the
(b) . The
(c) , the
17 Are you near the campus ______ we are in the cafeteria right now.
(a) , we
(b) . We
(c) ? We
18 The heating is not working ______ we cannot stay in there.
(a) . we
(b) , we
(c) . We
19 Remember to tell your friends ______ we don't want anyone to get lost.
(a) . We
(b) we
(c) , we
20 The final exam is still happening today ______ it will just be in a different room.
(a) , it
(b) . It
(c) it
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (b)
Explanation: A period (.) is needed to separate two independent sentences. Option (a) is a common mistake called a "comma splice" (using a comma to join two full sentences). Option (c) is a run-on sentence with no punctuation.
2 (c)
Explanation: We must use a period to end the first sentence and a capital letter to start the next one. Option (a) fails to capitalize the first letter of the new sentence. Option (b) is a comma splice.
3 (a)
Explanation: Both parts are complete sentences. They must be separated by a period, and "It" must be capitalized. Option (c) is a comma splice, and (b) lacks the capital letter.
4 (b)
Explanation: Option (b) correctly uses a period and a capital letter for the imperative sentence "Don't be late." Option (c) is a comma splice, and (a) is a run-on error.
5 (c)
Explanation: The first clause is a statement, not a question, so it ends with a period. Option (a) incorrectly uses a question mark. Option (b) is a comma splice.
6 (b)
Explanation: "Our room is unavailable" and "We need to move..." are complete thoughts. Option (a) is a comma splice. Option (c) uses a lowercase letter after a period, which is grammatically incorrect.
7 (a)
Explanation: The pronoun "I" must always be capitalized, especially at the beginning of a sentence. Option (b) is a comma splice. Option (c) uses a lowercase "i".
8 (b)
Explanation: Option (b) correctly separates the sentences. Option (c) incorrectly uses a comma to link two independent clauses. Option (a) leaves out punctuation entirely.
9 (c)
Explanation: Option (c) provides the necessary period and capitalization. Option (a) is the common comma splice error. Option (b) creates a confusing run-on sentence.
10 (b)
Explanation: You need a period and a capital letter to start the new sentence "We will use...". Option (a) uses a lowercase "w", and (c) is a comma splice.
11 (a)
Explanation: Option (a) correctly separates the actions. Option (c) is a comma splice. Option (b) provides no punctuation, causing the sentences to crash into each other.
12 (c)
Explanation: A period followed by a capital letter is the standard way to separate these two facts. Option (a) is a comma splice, and (b) forgets the capital letter.
13 (b)
Explanation: Option (b) properly separates the cause and the effect into two clean sentences. Option (c) uses a comma incorrectly. Option (a) lacks capitalization.
14 (c)
Explanation: "I am waiting outside the library" is a statement, and "Come and find me" is an imperative sentence. They must be separated by a period. Option (a) is a comma splice. Option (b) is a run-on.
15 (a)
Explanation: Option (a) correctly separates the negative imperative from the statement. Option (b) is a comma splice. Option (c) fails to capitalize "It".
16 (b)
Explanation: Option (b) properly divides the two sentences. Option (c) is the classic comma splice error. Option (a) is a run-on.
17 (c)
Explanation: "Are you near the campus?" is a direct question and requires a question mark. "We are in the cafeteria right now" is a new sentence. Options (a) and (b) fail to recognize the question format.
18 (c)
Explanation: Option (c) correctly ends the first statement with a period and starts the second with a capital letter. Option (b) is a comma splice. Option (a) has a capitalization error.
19 (a)
Explanation: Option (a) is correct. Option (c) is a comma splice. Option (b) blends the two sentences together without any punctuation, making it hard to read.
20 (b)
Explanation: Option (b) uses a period and capitalization correctly. Option (a) is a comma splice. Option (c) is a run-on error.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
- Independent Sentences: An independent sentence (or clause) contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought (e.g., "The classroom is closed.").
- The Comma Splice Trap: A very common mistake is using a comma (,) to connect two independent sentences (e.g., "The classroom is closed, we will study in the library."). This is grammatically incorrect in English.
- The Golden Rule: Always separate two independent sentences with a period (.), and always start the new sentence with a Capital Letter. (e.g., "The classroom is closed. We will study in the library.")
- Questions: If the first sentence is asking something, replace the period with a question mark (?), but you still must capitalize the first letter of the following sentence. (e.g., "Are you there? We are waiting.")