Before you begin
This page is about punctuation and capital letters: where commas go and where they do not, semicolons and colons, apostrophes, capital letters, and the transition words that connect one sentence to the next.
It follows your Kaplan book, Unit 1, Chapter 9, “Using Writing Mechanics,” Lessons 1 to 3, together with Chapter 4, Lesson 3 (semicolons) and Chapter 5, Lesson 3 (transitions). Each part names its Kaplan lesson.
This page assumes you know what a complete sentence is and how two sentences are joined. If that is new, read Sentences: Start Here first. It also helps to have read Grammar: Start Here, Part 4, on its and it’s.
You do not need anything to start except a pencil and paper. Allow two sittings. Each part ends with a few practice questions; press Check and the page explains the answer, and why the wrong answers tempt. Each part also lists its drills. At the end, Check yourself mixes all five parts.
Part 1 · Kaplan Chapter 9, Lesson 1
Commas
A comma (,) tells the reader to pause briefly and keep certain words together or apart. Most comma questions on the test come down to five rules. Four say where a comma goes; one says where it does not.
You already know one of them from Sentences: Start Here, Part 2: two complete sentences joined by and, but, or, so, for, nor or yet get a comma before the joining word. The bus was late, so I walked.
1. Between the items in a list
When three or more things are listed, put a comma after each one except the last. Most writers, and the test, also put a comma before the and or or.
- ✓We need flour, salt, and yeast.Three things; two commas.
- ✓She cleaned the kitchen, mopped the floor, and took out the trash.Three actions.
- ✗We need, flour, salt, and yeast.No comma before the list starts.
Two things joined by and need no comma: salt and pepper.
2. After an opening word, phrase or clause
When a sentence begins with something that sets the scene before the main sentence starts, put a comma where the opening part ends.
- ✓However, the store was closed.An opening word.
- ✓After the meeting, we cleaned up.An opening phrase.
- ✓When the bus came, I got on.An opening dependent clause.
- ✓Yes, I will be there.An opening yes or no.
3. Around extra information
Some words in a sentence add information that is nice to know but could be taken out without changing who or what the sentence is about. Set them off with commas: one before and one after (or one before, if they come at the end).
- ✓Mr. Okafor, the owner of the bakery, opens at six.Take out the middle: Mr. Okafor opens at six. Still clear.
- ✓My neighbor, who lives upstairs, fixes bicycles.Take out who lives upstairs: My neighbor fixes bicycles.
- ✓Thank you, Ms. Diaz, for your help.The name of the person spoken to is set off.
But when the words are needed to tell which one, they are not extra, and they get no commas:
- ✓The woman who lives upstairs fixes bicycles.Which woman? The one upstairs. Needed: no commas.
- ✓The bus that stops here goes to Fordham Road.Which bus? Needed: no commas. Clauses with that never take these commas.
4. In dates, places and numbers
On March 25, 1911, the factory burned. · She lives in Yonkers, New York, with her sister. · The new contract covers 1,250 workers.
5. Where a comma does not go
The test puts commas in places they do not belong, to see if you notice. These are the common ones:
- ✗The woman who lives upstairs, fixes bicycles.Never between a subject and its verb.
- ✗We need, more volunteers.Never between a verb and what it acts on.
- ✗I left early because, I was sick.Never right after because, when, if, that.
- ✗She counted the money, and closed the drawer.Not before and when it joins two verbs with one subject (Sentences: Start Here, Part 2).
The rules
Use a comma between items in a list, after an opening word, phrase or clause, around extra information, before a joining word that joins two sentences, and in dates and places. Never put a comma between a subject and its verb, or right after because, when, if, that.
In your Kaplan book: Unit 1, Chapter 9, Lesson 1, “Comma Use.”
Drills for this part, after the practice questions below: VIII.01 Commas in a list · VIII.02 A comma after an opening part · VIII.03 Commas around extra information · VIII.04 Commas that do not belong. All the drills are on the Language Arts Drills page.
Practice: commas
1. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
No comma goes between the verb need and the list.
Without commas, the list runs together.
No comma goes after and.
Why: Three things in a list: a comma after each one except the last. The comma before and is the one the test expects.
2. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
The comma cuts we off from its verb.
The comma cuts after off from the rest of its phrase.
The comma cuts cleaned off from up.
Why: An opening phrase (after the meeting) is followed by a comma, and then the main sentence begins.
3. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
Without commas, the reader runs the name and the extra information together.
A comma opens the extra information, but none closes it.
The commas are around the wrong words.
Why: The owner of the bakery is extra information about Mr. Okafor. Extra information in the middle of a sentence gets a comma on both sides.
4. Which sentence has a comma that does not belong?
Correct: a comma after an opening dependent clause.
Correct: commas around extra information.
Correct: a comma before a joining word between two sentences.
Why: This comma comes between the subject (the woman who lives upstairs) and its verb (fixes). A comma never goes there.
Part 2 · Kaplan Chapter 4, Lesson 3, and Chapter 9
Semicolons and colons
The semicolon
A semicolon (;) is a period on top of a comma. It does one main job: it joins two complete sentences that are closely related, with no joining word.
- ✓The store closes at nine; the pharmacy stays open.Both sides can stand alone.
- ✗Because the store closes at nine; I shop at lunch.The first side cannot stand alone.
It also comes before words like however, therefore, as a result, for example when they join two sentences, with a comma after the word:
- ✓I applied; however, I never heard back.
- ✓The rent went up; as a result, we moved.
The test for a semicolon is the same as the test for a period. If you could put a period there and have two complete sentences, a semicolon can go there too. If not, it cannot.
The colon
A colon (:) is two dots, one above the other. It comes after a complete sentence and points to what that sentence promised: a list, an explanation, or an example.
- ✓Please bring three things: a pen, your ID, and a calculator.A list.
- ✓The job has one drawback: the hours are long.An explanation.
The most common mistake is a colon in the middle of a sentence that is not finished yet, such as after are, include, or bring:
- ✗The three things are: a pen, your ID, and a calculator.The three things are… what? The sentence is not complete before the colon.
- ✓The three things are a pen, your ID, and a calculator.No colon needed.
The rules
Semicolon: a complete sentence on each side. Colon: a complete sentence before it, and a list, explanation or example after it.
In your Kaplan book: Unit 1, Chapter 4, Lesson 3, “Run-Ons and Comma Splices,” and Chapter 9, Lesson 1, “Comma Use.”
Drills for this part, after the practice questions below: VIII.05 Semicolons · VIII.06 Colons. All the drills are on the Language Arts Drills page.
Practice: semicolons and colons
5. Which sentence uses the semicolon correctly?
The semicolon is in the wrong place: at nine belongs with the store closing.
The store alone is not a sentence.
Because the store closes at nine cannot stand alone. Use a comma after an opening dependent clause.
Why: A semicolon joins two complete sentences that are closely related. Both sides here can stand alone.
6. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
The semicolon is on the wrong side of however.
The comma after however is missing.
Commas on both sides still leave a comma splice.
Why: Between two sentences, however takes a semicolon before it and a comma after it.
7. Which sentence uses the colon correctly?
Please bring is not complete; the list finishes it. No colon.
Please alone is not a complete sentence.
The three things are is not complete. No colon after are.
Why: A colon comes after a complete sentence (Please bring three things) and introduces what that sentence promised.
8. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
Two sentences joined by only a comma: a comma splice.
The job has is not complete. No colon there.
Two sentences with nothing between them: a run-on.
Why: A complete sentence promises something (one drawback), and a colon introduces it.
Part 3 · Kaplan Chapter 9, Lesson 3
Apostrophes
An apostrophe (’) has two jobs: it shows that something belongs to someone, and it marks letters left out when two words are pushed together.
1. Belonging (possession)
| Who owns it | Add | Example |
|---|---|---|
| one person or thing | ’s | the worker’s shift · my sister’s car · the store’s hours |
| more than one, ending in s | ’ only | the workers’ locker room · my parents’ house |
| more than one, not ending in s | ’s | the children’s coats · the women’s team · the men’s room |
A way to get it right every time: first write the owner, exactly as it is, one or more than one. Then add the apostrophe. If the owner already ends in s because it is plural, add only the apostrophe. Otherwise, add ’s.
2. Letters left out (contractions)
A contraction pushes two words together and puts an apostrophe where letters were left out.
| Two words | Contraction |
|---|---|
| do not | don’t |
| it is, it has | it’s |
| they are | they’re |
| you are | you’re |
| I will | I’ll |
| she would | she’d |
| we have | we’ve |
| cannot | can’t |
| will not | won’t |
Contractions are fine in a friendly letter. In very formal writing, such as a letter to the city, many writers spell out the two words.
3. Where an apostrophe does not go
- ✗We sell fresh bagel’s.A plural with nothing belonging to it: bagels.
- ✗The store changed it’s hours.Belonging to it: its, with no apostrophe, like his and hers.
- ✗Is this coat your’s?His, hers, its, ours, yours, theirs never take an apostrophe.
The rules
Belonging: one owner, add ’s; more than one ending in s, add ’. Contractions: the apostrophe takes the place of the missing letters. Never use an apostrophe just to make a word plural, or in its, yours, hers, ours, theirs.
In your Kaplan book: Unit 1, Chapter 9, Lesson 3, “Possessives and Contractions.”
Drills for this part, after the practice questions below: VIII.07 Apostrophes for belonging · VIII.08 Contractions, and plurals with no apostrophe. All the drills are on the Language Arts Drills page.
Practice: apostrophes
9. Choose the correct word. The ___ shift starts at six. (one worker)
An apostrophe after the s is for more than one worker.
Not a form.
Without an apostrophe, workers just means more than one worker. It does not show belonging.
Why: One worker, and the shift belongs to that worker: add ’s. The worker’s shift.
10. Choose the correct word. The ___ locker room is downstairs. (all the workers)
Worker’s means one worker.
A plural that ends in s takes only the apostrophe.
No apostrophe: no belonging.
Why: More than one worker, already ending in s: add only an apostrophe. The workers’ locker room.
11. Which sentence is correct?
Childrens is not a word.
No apostrophe: no belonging, and childrens is not a word.
The apostrophe is on the wrong word. Coats is just more than one coat.
Why: Children is already plural without an s. Add ’s: children’s.
12. Which sentence is correct?
An apostrophe does not make a word plural.
Nothing belongs to the apples.
Neither word needs an apostrophe.
Why: A plural with nothing belonging to it needs no apostrophe: apples.
Part 4 · Kaplan Chapter 9, Lesson 2
Capital letters
A capital letter (A, B, C) starts every sentence, and the word I is always a capital. Beyond that, the rule is about names. The name of one particular person, place, thing or time takes a capital. An ordinary word for a kind of person, place or thing does not.
| A name: capital | An ordinary word: small letter |
|---|---|
| Lincoln Hospital | the hospital |
| New York City | the city |
| East 149th Street | the street |
| Doctor Rivera, Senator Diaz | the doctor, the senator |
| Monday, March, Thanksgiving | spring, summer, fall, winter |
| Spanish, English, Haitian Creole | math, science, history |
| the South (a region) | south (a direction): drive south |
| Mom (used as her name): Thanks, Mom. | my mom |
| Local 3, the Bronx | the union, the borough |
Two tests help. First: is it one particular, named thing? Then capital. Second: can you put the, a or my in front of it and still mean the same thing? Then it is usually an ordinary word: my mom, the doctor, a hospital.
In the title of a book, a movie or an article, the important words take capitals; small words like a, an, the, and, of, in do not, unless they come first: The Story of an Hour.
The rule
Capitalize the first word of a sentence, the word I, and names: particular people, places, organizations, days, months, holidays, languages, and titles right before a name. Do not capitalize seasons, directions, school subjects other than languages, or ordinary words for people and places.
In your Kaplan book: Unit 1, Chapter 9, Lesson 2, “Capitalization.”
Drills for this part, after the practice questions below: VIII.09 Capital letters for names · VIII.10 Capitals that do not belong. All the drills are on the Language Arts Drills page.
Practice: capital letters
13. Which sentence uses capital letters correctly?
Bronx is the name of a place and takes a capital.
A sentence starts with a capital, and seasons do not take one.
Seasons do not take a capital letter.
Why: The Bronx is the name of a place: capital. Seasons are not names: spring, small letter.
14. Which sentence uses capital letters correctly?
Days of the week take a capital.
Without a name after it, doctor is an ordinary word: the doctor.
A title before a name takes a capital, and so does Monday.
Why: A title right before a name is part of the name: Doctor Rivera. Days of the week are names: Monday.
15. Which sentence uses capital letters correctly?
My mom is not a name, and the hospital without its name is an ordinary word.
Every word of a name takes a capital: Lincoln Hospital, East 149th Street.
Lincoln Hospital is a name and takes capitals; my mom does not.
Why: Lincoln Hospital and East 149th Street are names. Mom after my is an ordinary word.
16. Which sentence uses capital letters correctly?
Languages take a capital.
School subjects that are not languages take a small letter.
Both are swapped.
Why: Languages are names: Spanish. School subjects are not, unless they are languages: math.
Part 5 · Kaplan Chapter 5, Lesson 3
Transition words
A transition is a word or phrase that tells the reader how one sentence connects to the one before it. The test asks you to choose the transition that fits the meaning, and to punctuate it correctly.
Choose by meaning
| When the next sentence… | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| adds a similar point | also, in addition, furthermore, moreover | The job pays well. In addition, it has health insurance. |
| says the opposite, or something unexpected | however, on the other hand, still, nevertheless | The job pays well. However, the hours are long. |
| gives a result | therefore, as a result, so, consequently | The rent went up. As a result, we moved. |
| gives an example | for example, for instance | The clinic offers many services. For example, you can get a flu shot. |
| tells time or order | first, then, next, finally, meanwhile, later | Fill out the form. Then hand it to the clerk. |
| replaces one thing with another | instead | The bus did not come. Instead, I took a cab. |
To choose, read the two sentences without the transition and ask how they are related. Then pick the word that names that relationship. This is the same thinking as choosing because or although in Sentences: Start Here, Part 4.
Punctuate them
A transition at the start of a sentence is followed by a comma: However, the hours are long. If it joins two sentences into one, it needs a semicolon before it and a comma after it: The job pays well; however, the hours are long. A comma alone before it is a comma splice (Sentences: Start Here, Part 3).
The rule
Choose the transition that names how the two sentences are related: adding, contrast, result, example, time. Put a comma after it; between two sentences, a semicolon before it.
In your Kaplan book: Unit 1, Chapter 5, Lesson 3, “Relate Sentences and Paragraphs.”
Drills for this part, after the practice questions below: VIII.11 Transition words. All the drills are on the Language Arts Drills page.
Practice: transition words
17. Choose the best word. The rent went up. ___, we had to move.
However signals a contrast. Moving after a rent increase is no surprise.
For example introduces an example. Moving is not an example of the rent going up.
Meanwhile means at the same time, about something else.
Why: The second sentence is the result of the first: as a result.
18. Choose the best word. The job pays well. ___, the hours are long.
Therefore gives a result. Good pay does not cause long hours.
In addition adds a similar point. A drawback is not similar.
Long hours are not an example of good pay.
Why: The second sentence is a drawback, the opposite of what the first leads you to expect: a contrast, however.
19. Choose the best word. The clinic offers many services. ___, you can get a flu shot there.
There is no contrast.
A flu shot is not a result of offering many services.
Instead means in place of something. Nothing is being replaced.
Why: A flu shot is one of the many services: an example.
20. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
Commas on both sides still leave a comma splice.
A comma splice.
No punctuation: a run-on.
Why: Between two sentences, therefore takes a semicolon before it and a comma after it.
To keep
The punctuation card
Everything on this page, on one card. Print it and keep it beside you when you write.
Commas go between items in a list; after an opening word, phrase or clause; around extra information; before and, but, so joining two sentences; in dates and places.
Commas never go between a subject and its verb, between a verb and what it acts on, or right after because, when, if, that.
Needed to tell which one? No commas. Extra? Commas on both sides.
Semicolon: a complete sentence on each side. ; however, between two sentences.
Colon: a complete sentence before it; a list, explanation or example after. Never after are or include.
Apostrophe: one owner, ’s; more than one ending in s, ’; letters left out, don’t. Never for plurals. Never in its, yours, theirs.
Capitals: names of particular people, places, days, months, holidays, languages, and titles before names. Not seasons, directions, school subjects, or my mom, the doctor.
Transitions: adding, contrast, result, example, time. Comma after; semicolon before when joining two sentences.
Words to know
- comma
- the mark , that separates parts of a sentence
- extra information
- words that add detail but could be taken out without changing who or what the sentence is about; set off with commas
- semicolon
- the mark ; that joins two complete sentences
- colon
- the mark : that comes after a complete sentence and introduces a list, explanation or example
- apostrophe
- the mark ’ that shows belonging or marks missing letters
- possessive
- the form of a word that shows belonging: the worker’s shift
- contraction
- two words pushed together, with an apostrophe for the missing letters: don’t
- proper noun
- the name of one particular person, place or thing; it takes a capital: Lincoln Hospital
- common noun
- an ordinary word for a kind of person, place or thing; no capital: the hospital
- transition
- a word or phrase that shows how one sentence connects to the next: however, as a result, for example
At the end
Check yourself
Twelve questions from all five parts, mixed together, the way the test mixes them. Press Check after each one.
21. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
Without commas, the items run together.
No comma between the verb and the list.
No comma after and.
Why: A list of three: commas between the items.
22. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
The comma after the opening clause is missing.
No comma right after if.
The comma splits need help.
Why: An opening dependent clause, then a comma.
23. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A comma closes the extra part, but none opens it.
A comma opens the extra part, but none closes it.
No comma between a verb and where it happens.
Why: Extra information about Ms. Lee, set off on both sides.
24. Which sentence has a comma that does not belong?
Correct.
Correct.
Correct.
Why: The comma comes between the subject (the list of rules) and its verb (is).
25. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A semicolon does not need and.
The semicolon cuts the subject off from its verb.
The first side cannot stand alone.
Why: A complete sentence on each side of the semicolon.
26. Which sentence uses the colon correctly?
The bakery sells is not complete.
No colon after are.
The bakery alone is not a sentence.
Why: A complete sentence before the colon, and the list after it.
27. Choose the correct word. My ___ apartment is on the fifth floor. (one sister)
That would mean more than one sister.
Not a form.
No apostrophe: no belonging.
Why: One sister, and the apartment is hers: sister’s.
28. Which sentence is correct?
It’s means “it is.”
Not a word.
Makes no sense.
Why: Belonging to it: its, no apostrophe.
29. Which sentence uses capital letters correctly?
Virginia is a name.
A sentence starts with a capital, and south here is a direction.
Seasons and directions are not names.
Why: Seasons and directions take small letters; Virginia is a name.
30. Which sentence uses capital letters correctly?
Union and hall are ordinary words here.
Thursday is a name.
Thursday takes a capital.
Why: Local 3 and Thursday are names; the union hall without a name is not.
31. Choose the best word. I studied every night. ___, I passed on my first try.
No contrast.
Passing is not an example of studying.
Nothing is being replaced.
Why: Passing is the result of studying.
32. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A comma splice.
A run-on.
The comma after instead is missing, and the one after went does not belong.
Why: A semicolon before the transition, a comma after it.
Where to go next
The drills
Each part of this page has its own short drills, twelve in all, on the Language Arts Drills page. The last one, VIII.12, mixes all five parts in short passages with drop-down choices, the way the test does.
The quizzes on this site
- Quiz 43, commas: Part 1
- Quiz 44, semicolons and colons: Part 2
- Quiz 45, apostrophes: Part 3
- Quiz 46, capital letters: Part 4
- Quiz 47, transitions: Part 5
Check what you know
The Language Arts Diagnostic, Part Two, has questions on commas, semicolons and colons, apostrophes, capital letters and transitions.
The pages before this one
Answers
1 D · 2 B · 3 C · 4 A · 5 D · 6 A · 7 C · 8 B · 9 A · 10 B · 11 D · 12 C · 13 A · 14 B · 15 D · 16 C · 17 D · 18 B · 19 A · 20 C · 21 A · 22 B · 23 D · 24 C · 25 D · 26 C · 27 A · 28 B · 29 A · 30 C · 31 B · 32 D