Sentences and punctuation
Sentence types
| Type | Example | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Simple: one main clause | The door slammed. | Short and sharp; builds tension or shock |
| Compound: clauses joined by and, but, or, so | The rain fell and the wind howled. | Links ideas of equal weight |
| Complex: a main clause and a subordinate clause | Although she was tired, she kept running. | Shows how ideas are connected; adds detail |
| Minor: not a full sentence | Silence. | Very short; makes a moment stand out |
A cannot stand alone. It often begins with although, because, when, while, if or as.
Key terms
Full stops and comma splices
A is when two complete sentences are joined with only a comma. It is one of the most common errors in GCSE writing.
- ✗ The storm was coming, we ran inside.
- ✓ The storm was coming. We ran inside.
- ✓ The storm was coming, so we ran inside.
- ✓ The storm was coming; we ran inside.
Common mistake
A comma can't join two sentences on its own. Use a full stop, a semicolon, or a joining word such as ‘so’ or ‘but’.
Key terms
Other punctuation
| Mark | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Colon : | Introduces a list or an explanation | There was only one choice: run. |
| Semicolon ; | Joins two closely linked sentences | The house was silent; nobody was home. |
| Dash – | Adds a dramatic pause or an aside | She opened the box – it was empty. |
| Brackets ( ) | Adds extra information | My uncle (who hates dogs) stayed outside. |
| Question mark ? | A question, or a rhetorical question | Who could blame her? |
| Ellipsis … | A pause, or something left unsaid | And then… nothing. |
Using a range of punctuation accurately earns AO6 marks in your writing.
Punctuating speech
- Put the spoken words inside .
- Start the speech with a capital letter.
- Put the punctuation that ends the speech inside the speech marks.
- Start a new line each time a new person speaks.
“Where are you going?” asked Mum.
“Out,” I said, “and I won't be late.”
Notice the comma before ‘I said’, and the lower-case ‘and’ when the same sentence carries on.