Grade: Grade 6 Subject: SAT/ACT Skills Unit: Conventions Practice Lesson: 3 of 6 SAT: StandardEnglishConventions ACT: English

Punctuation Rules

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Correct punctuation helps readers understand your writing. The SAT and ACT test specific punctuation rules that you must master.

Commas

Use commas for:

  • Lists: I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.
  • Introductory elements: After the storm, we cleaned up the yard.
  • Joining clauses with FANBOYS: She studied hard, so she passed the test.
  • Non-essential information: My brother, who lives in Texas, visited last week.
  • Direct address: Maria, please close the door.

Semicolons

Use semicolons to:

  • Join related independent clauses: The sun set; the stars appeared.
  • Separate items in a list with internal commas: We visited Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and London, England.

Colons

Use colons to:

  • Introduce a list: Pack these items: a tent, sleeping bag, and flashlight.
  • Introduce an explanation: She had one goal: winning the championship.

Rule: A complete sentence must come before a colon.

Apostrophes

  • Possession: The dog's bone (one dog); The dogs' bones (multiple dogs)
  • Contractions: don't (do not), it's (it is)
  • Common error: its (possessive) vs. it's (it is)

Dashes

  • Em dashes for emphasis or interruption: The answer - surprisingly - was correct.
  • Always use dashes in pairs when interrupting: My friend - the one from school - called me.

Practice Questions

Choose the correctly punctuated version or identify the error.

Question 1

Which is correct?
A) The students who study hard, pass the test.
B) The students who study hard pass the test.
C) The students, who study hard pass the test.

Question 2

Which is correct?
A) After eating dinner we went for a walk.
B) After eating dinner, we went for a walk.
C) After eating, dinner we went for a walk.

Question 3

Which is correct?
A) She bought apples oranges and grapes.
B) She bought apples, oranges, and grapes.
C) She bought apples, oranges and, grapes.

Question 4

Which is correct?
A) The dog wagged it's tail.
B) The dog wagged its tail.
C) The dog wagged its' tail.

Question 5

Which is correct?
A) I have three goals; to study, to practice, and to succeed.
B) I have three goals: to study, to practice, and to succeed.
C) I have three goals, to study, to practice, and to succeed.

Question 6

Which is correct?
A) The test was hard, however, I passed.
B) The test was hard; however, I passed.
C) The test was hard however I passed.

Question 7

Which is correct?
A) My sisters favorite book is on the shelf.
B) My sisters' favorite book is on the shelf. (multiple sisters)
C) My sister's favorite book is on the shelf. (one sister)

Question 8

Which is correct?
A) The museum - which opened last year, is free on Sundays.
B) The museum, which opened last year, is free on Sundays.
C) The museum which opened last year is free on Sundays.

Question 9

Which is correct?
A) We visited three cities Paris, Rome, and Berlin.
B) We visited three cities: Paris, Rome, and Berlin.
C) We visited three cities; Paris, Rome, and Berlin.

Question 10

Which is correct?
A) The answer - surprisingly - was wrong.
B) The answer - surprisingly was wrong.
C) The answer surprisingly - was wrong.

Answer Key

Click to reveal answers

1. B - Essential clause (defines which students), no commas needed

2. B - Comma after introductory phrase

3. B - Commas separate items in a list

4. B - "Its" (possessive) not "it's" (it is)

5. B - Colon introduces a list after a complete sentence

6. B - Semicolon before conjunctive adverb (however), comma after

7. B or C depending on meaning - apostrophe placement shows singular or plural possession

8. B - Non-essential clause needs commas on both sides

9. B - Colon introduces the list after a complete sentence

10. A - Dashes must be used in pairs when interrupting