Punctuation For Grade 3

Capital Letters

1. Start a Sentence:

Always use a capital letter to start a sentence. This makes the reader aware when you are starting with a new idea or thought.

 

2. Proper Nouns

Use capitals for the actual names of real people, places, & objects. These are proper nouns

In the sentence above New York is a proper noun both words are in capitals

 

3. The Pronoun "I":

Always use capital letters to refer to yourself using the pronoun I

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Full Stop (.)

End of a Statement (Declarative Sentences): 

A full stop, also referred to as a period, is placed at the end of a statement sentence or informational sentence.

This is telling us something; therefore, it needs a full stop at the end.

End of a Complete Thought: 

The full stop lets the reader know the thought or idea has ended.

The sentence has a complete meaning. This is why it ends with a full stop.

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Comma (,)

1. Lists of Three or More Items

To separate elements, use a comma when you give a list of three or more items in the sentence.

It does serve its purpose as shown below & sometimes people have even put this style as above introductory words & phrases.

 

2. After Conjunctions :

A comma comes after the word or phrase which is the introductory part of a sentence.

If it has an introductory element, then there is a comma after it. Well is the introductory part of the sentence, so it has a comma after it.

3. In Dates and Addresses:

Commas separate the different parts of information in dates & addresses

There is a comma between the day & the year and between the year & the place.

4. Two Adjectives of One Noun

If we have two or more adjectives to describe the very same noun then a comma keeps them separate.

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For instance, "beautiful" & "red" are two adjectives that describe one & the same noun- "dress." For this reason a comma has to be written in between the words.

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Question Mark (?) 

At the End of a Question (Interrogative Sentences):

It ends with a question mark if the sentence is a question. This reveals that it is a question sentence asking for something & looking out for a response.

It is a question, therefore must end with a question mark.

To Show Curiosity or Obtain Information

A question mark is placed if the speaker is going to ask or if he needs to know something.

The question mark shows that it is a questioning sentence about where the book is.

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Fun Facts 

1. The word "I" is the only pronoun always written in capital—it's like it loves being important!

2. Proper nouns like Mount Everest and Disneyland get capital letters because they are special, just like names of your friends!

3. The comma (,) is sometimes called a "tiny pause" because it tells the reader to take a little breath.

4. The question mark (?) was invented in the 8th century and used to look like a lightning bolt!

5. A full stop (.) is also called a period in American English—but in British English, it's just a full stop!

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What we learned here!

• Begin every sentence and the pronoun "I" with a capital letter.

• Use capital letters for names of people, places, and things (proper nouns).

• End telling sentences with a full stop to show a complete thought.

• Use commas in lists, after introductory words, in dates, and between adjectives.

• Put a question mark at the end of a sentence that asks something.