FS English Level 2 – March 02, 2023 (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar : Using Punctuation)

1. Using punctuation for the Level 2 Writing
Exam

2. In Task 1 and Task 2 of the Writing exam, one of the aspects of your writing
that is assessed is:
Correct use of punctuation (e.g. commas, colons, apostrophes,
inverted commas, quotation marks) with occasional lapses.
At Functional Skills English Level 2 you will be expected to use a wider range
of punctuation than just full stops and commas.
In Task 1 and Task 2 of the Writing exam, one of the aspects of your writing
that is assessed is:
If you show that you can use apostrophes, colons (and even semi-colons),
inverted commas and quotation marks correctly, it will increase your chances
of getting high marks.

3. The keyword for punctuation at Level 2 is:
V A R I E T Y
, ’ ?
: ; ‘ ’ “”
!

4. Comma ,
When to use a comma...
To separate three or more items in a list.
E.G. I bought a shirt, shoes, a jacket, t-shirts and trainers.(No comma
needed before the word “and”).
To separate extra information in a sentence.
E.G. The restaurant, which was open all night, served great meals.
To separate main and subordinate clauses in a complex sentence.
E.G. Having been delayed by bad weather, the train arrived two hours
late.

5. Comma ,
When to use a comma...
To separate main and subordinate clauses in a complex sentence.
E.G. Having been delayed by bad weather, the train arrived two hours
late.
You can begin a complex sentence with either a main clause or a subordinate clause. If
you begin with a main clause you don’t need to use a separating comma!
The train arrived two hours late having been delayed by bad weather.

6. Semi-colon ;
When to use a semi-colon...
To replace connectors between independent clauses (and, but, so,
because).
E.G. I like coffee; I like tea. (and)
I went to the party; I didn’t enjoy it.(but)
It was raining; I stayed in. (so)
He was late for work; the bus broke down. (because)
To replace full stops between related independent clauses.
E.G. I went to London yesterday. It was so busy. I did some sightseeing
and a bit of shopping.
I went to London yesterday; it was so busy; I did some sightseeing and a
bit of shopping.

7. Colon :
When to use a colon...
To introduce a supporting reason or example, or a series of items.
E.G.
Please bring to your interview the following: your birth certificate,
proof of your NI number, and the names and addresses of two referees.
I owe my success to one reason: determination.
All life on earth is dependent on one thing: water.
He wanted to see three cities in Italy: Rome, Venice and Milan.

8. Possessive apostrophe ’
When to use a possessive apostrophe...
To show singular possession (singular noun - the apostrophe goes
before the “s”
e.g. the car’s fuel level
this week’s special offer
the child’s toy
To show plural possession
When we use a plural noun, the possessive apostrophe goes after the “s” to show
that more than one person or thing owns the thing possessed:
e.g. the students’ success was all due to their hard work and dedication

9. Possessive apostrophe ’
When to use a possessive apostrophe...
To show plural possession
But when a plural noun doesn’t end in “s” (e.g. children, men, women) the
apostrophe goes before the “s”:
e.g. the men’s basketball team
the children’s day out
the women’s exercise class

10. Omissive apostrophe ’
When to use an omissive apostrophe...
To show that a letter has been omitted from a contraction word
don’t, isn’t, wouldn’t, haven’t, it’s
We only use the omissive apostrophe in writing that is informal.

11. Inverted comma
When to use inverted commas...
Single inverted commas are used for titles: for example, titles of books,
films, magazine or newspaper articles, or the names of newspapers.
E.G.
I went to see ‘Spiderman 2’ last night.
‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ is a really enjoyable book.
I read a very interesting article called ‘Why Climate Change Matters’.
Do you read ‘The Times’ or ‘The Guardian’?

12. Inverted comma
When to use inverted commas...
Double inverted commas (also called quotation marks) are used to
enclose the actual words that someone says (direct speech) or when you
quote something from another source.
E.G.
“How are you?” he asked.
“My exam is next week,” she said.
The report described the situation as “unacceptable” and advised that
“action should be taken urgently”.

13. I’m happy to answer any questions you have.