Page 69 - Basic English Grammar Student Textbook short

Study Section 14: Punctuation

14.1 Connect

Punctuation tells us a lot about a sentence. It tells us when we want to conclude the sentence and
the voice inflection that belongs to the sentence. Did you know that the original Greek texts of the
bible did not have punctuation? The reader did not know when the sentence was finished. He just
had to take his best guess. But now, want to learn when reading a sentence to pause (comma) and
when to end talking and take a breath. The period ends a sentence and generally your voice
inflection drops. If you have a question mark at the end, your voice inflection goes up. If you are all excited
about the topic of the sentence, you can end it with an exclamation mark. So, punctuation tells us how to “talk”
the sentence according to the language punctuation rules. Let’s learn them….

14.2 End Marks

Full stop

Use a full stop at the end of declarative and imperative sentences. Use when you are not asking a
question and when you are not expressing strong feelings.
1. They quickly forgot His words. God sent a wasting disease among them. (declarative statements)
2. Pick up your Bible from the table. (imperative sentence; command)
1. Questions end with a question mark (?). Will you attend the party?
2. Exclamatory sentences end with an exclamation point (!). Get out of the house; there’s a fire!
Practice: Writing Statements. Write two original statements.

Question Mark

End sentences with a question mark (?) for those asking a question.
1. Do you have a question?
2. Are we beginning to commend ourselves again?
3. Who then makes me glad but the one whom I made sorrowful?
4. I asked him if he had a question. (NOTE: This is not a question and does not end with a question mark.)

Practice: Writing Questions. Write two original questions.

Exclamation Point

Use an exclamation point (!) to express strong feelings.
1. I love this grammar lesson!
2. Lord, I want to regain my sight!
3. Son of David, have mercy on me!

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