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Academy11+

Punctuation guide

Full stops

A full stop marks the end of a sentence that tells you something (a statement) or tells you to do something (a command).

The rules

When it's taught at school: From Year 1.

  1. 1

    End a statement

    If the sentence tells you something, it ends with a full stop.

    • The library opens at nine o'clock.
  2. 2

    End a command

    Unless it's shouted, a command ends with a full stop.

    • Put the books back on the shelf.
  3. 3

    One sentence, one idea

    When one sentence ends and another begins, use a full stop, not a comma.

    • It was raining. We stayed inside.

Common mistakes

  • We waited for the bus it was late.

    We waited for the bus. It was late.

    These are two sentences, so the first needs a full stop and the second a capital letter.

  • The children ran into the playground

    The children ran into the playground.

    Every sentence must end with a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark.

Spot the mistake, 11+ style

Real examples of the questions in our papers. Cover the answer and see if your child can find the mistake.

  • My best friend / and I walked / to school together / on Wednesday

    Show the answer

    Part D should be on Wednesday.. Every sentence must end with a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark; the full stop is missing.

  • We sang songs / around the / campfire until / it was dark

    Show the answer

    Part D should be it was dark.. Every sentence must end with a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark; the full stop is missing.

  • We were / very grateful / for all / your help

    Show the answer

    Part D should be your help.. Every sentence must end with a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark; the full stop is missing.

  • The shop gave / a guarantee that / the watch / would work

    Show the answer

    Part D should be would work.. Every sentence must end with a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark; the full stop is missing.

  • The rain gauge / in our garden / was full / this morning

    Show the answer

    Part D should be this morning.. Every sentence must end with a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark; the full stop is missing.

  • Sam's brother / doesn't like / spiders or / snakes

    Show the answer

    Part D should be snakes.. Every sentence must end with a full stop, question mark or exclamation mark; the full stop is missing.

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Practise a little every day

The daily spelling workout ends with a short punctuation round at your child's level, and brings back the marks they miss.