Understanding Punctuation Errors
Proper punctuation is crucial for effective written communication. As a paraprofessional, you’ll need to recognize and help students correct common punctuation errors. The ParaPro Assessment tests your knowledge of standard punctuation rules and your ability to identify errors.
Why Punctuation Matters
Punctuation marks serve as road signs in writing—they tell readers when to pause, stop, or change direction. Correct punctuation:
- Clarifies meaning and prevents misunderstandings
- Makes writing more readable and professional
- Indicates the relationship between ideas
- Signals the tone and emotion of text
Common Punctuation Marks and Their Uses
Comma (,)
The comma is perhaps the most frequently used—and misused—punctuation mark.
Correct Comma Usage:
- Separating items in a series: I need to buy apples, oranges, and bananas.
- Joining independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction: The students completed their work, and they left for recess.
- Setting off introductory elements: After the bell rang, students rushed to the cafeteria.
- Setting off nonessential elements: My sister, who lives in Seattle, is visiting next month.
- Separating coordinate adjectives: She wore a beautiful, elegant dress.
Common Comma Errors:
- Comma splice: Joining two independent clauses with only a comma
Incorrect: The test was difficult, many students failed.
Correct: The test was difficult, so many students failed.
Correct: The test was difficult; many students failed. - Missing comma with a coordinating conjunction
Incorrect: The bell rang and the students left.
Correct: The bell rang, and the students left. - Unnecessary comma between subject and verb
Incorrect: The students in the back row, were talking during the test.
Correct: The students in the back row were talking during the test.
Semicolon (;)
Correct Semicolon Usage:
- Joining closely related independent clauses: The school day ended; students rushed to their buses.
- Separating items in a complex list: We visited Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Common Semicolon Errors:
- Using a semicolon between a dependent and independent clause
Incorrect: Although it was raining; we had the picnic anyway.
Correct: Although it was raining, we had the picnic anyway. - Using a semicolon with a coordinating conjunction
Incorrect: The bus was late; but we arrived on time.
Correct: The bus was late, but we arrived on time.
Colon (:)
Correct Colon Usage:
- Introducing a list: Students need three supplies: pencils, notebooks, and textbooks.
- Introducing an explanation or example: The answer was obvious: the student had cheated on the test.
- Between hours and minutes: The meeting starts at 10:30 a.m.
Common Colon Errors:
- Using a colon after a verb or preposition
Incorrect: The required materials include: pencils, paper, and textbooks.
Correct: The required materials include pencils, paper, and textbooks. - Using a colon between a preposition and its object
Incorrect: We traveled to: France, Spain, and Italy.
Correct: We traveled to France, Spain, and Italy.
Apostrophe (‘)
Correct Apostrophe Usage:
- Showing possession:
Singular: The student’s book (one student)
Plural: The students’ books (multiple students) - In contractions: don’t (do not), it’s (it is), they’re (they are)
- For plurals of single letters: Mind your p’s and q’s.
Common Apostrophe Errors:
- Confusing “its” and “it’s”
Incorrect: The dog wagged it’s tail.
Correct: The dog wagged its tail. (“its” is possessive) - Using apostrophes to make plurals
Incorrect: The book’s are on the shelf.
Correct: The books are on the shelf. - Misplacing the apostrophe in possessive nouns
Incorrect: The childrens’ toys
Correct: The children’s toys
Quotation Marks (” “)
Correct Quotation Mark Usage:
- Enclosing direct speech or quotations: The teacher said, “Please open your books.”
- Titles of short works: My favorite poem is “The Road Not Taken.”
- With other punctuation:
Periods and commas go inside quotation marks: “Stay seated,” the teacher instructed.
Colons and semicolons go outside: The witness described the scene as “chaotic”; then he left.
Common Quotation Mark Errors:
- Using quotation marks for emphasis
Incorrect: This is a “very important” test.
Correct: This is a very important test. - Incorrect placement with other punctuation
Incorrect: The teacher said “stay in your seats”.
Correct: The teacher said, “Stay in your seats.”
Practice Identifying Punctuation Errors
Example 1: Comma Errors
Original: The students completed their projects however they did not receive feedback yet.
Error: Missing comma before the transitional expression “however” which should separate two independent clauses.
Corrected: The students completed their projects, however, they did not receive feedback yet.
Example 2: Apostrophe Errors
Original: The teachers lounge is where the faculty meet’s to discuss student progress.
Errors:
1. Missing apostrophe in possessive noun “teachers” (should be “teachers'”)
2. Incorrect apostrophe in “meet’s” (verbs don’t need apostrophes)
Corrected: The teachers‘ lounge is where the faculty meets to discuss student progress.
Example 3: Quotation Mark Errors
Original: The principal announced “all students should report to the auditorium”, and then left.
Errors:
1. Missing comma before the quotation
2. Comma should be inside the quotation marks
Corrected: The principal announced, “all students should report to the auditorium,” and then left.
Quick Quiz: Punctuation Errors
1. Identify the sentence with correct punctuation:
2. Which sentence correctly uses apostrophes?
3. Which sentence uses quotation marks correctly?
Key Points to Remember
- Use commas to separate items in a series, join independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction, and set off introductory elements.
- Use semicolons to join closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
- Use colons to introduce lists, explanations, or examples after an independent clause.
- Use apostrophes to show possession and in contractions, but not to make plurals.
- Use quotation marks for direct speech and short titles. In American English, periods and commas go inside quotation marks.
- Punctuation errors can change the meaning of sentences, so it’s important to apply rules correctly.