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Tasks: Punctuation Marks in English

Discuss

Today, a lot of our communication takes place in short, digital messages.

  1. Do adults use punctuation differently than young people in these messages?

  2. Is correct punctuation becoming obsolete in modern communication? When is it necessary to use correct punctuation?

  3. Study the different versions of a message exchange. How do you interpret the answer in each exchange?

Message exchange (question 2)

  1. Can you be home by ten?
    OK.

  2. Can you be home by ten?
    ok

  3. Can you be home by ten?
    👍

Suggested answer to question 2

  1. Most adults would interpret this as neutral. Many young people would interpret it as angry because of the capital letters and full stop.

  2. Most adults and young people would interpret this as neutral. Some interpret it as sad because lower case letters are used and because there is no punctuation.

  3. Most adults and young people would interpret this as 'ok, no problem'.

Analyse

How does punctuation change meaning?

Here, you will find the same sentences written with different punctuation. Work with a partner and discuss how the meaning of the sentences changes as the punctuation changes.

Write

  1. Keep the list of punctuation marks in English in front of you and write a short text (about 400 words) where you use as many of them as possible.

  2. Then, work in a group and study each other's texts. Look for any mistakes that are made with punctuation marks. If you are unsure whether the usage is correct, consult your teacher.

Punctuation quiz

Click on the alternative that you think is correct.

Further study

Here, you will find links to sites that can help you learn more about punctuation.

Kramer, Lindsay: 'Punctuation: Everything You Need to Know'.

Peer feedback

Work with a partner.

Before handing in your next assignment for English class, read through each other's work paying special attention to punctuation. Do you notice any mistakes? Is there anything that can be improved upon?

Written by Tone Hesjedal.
Last updated 06/08/2026

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