Sentence structure, punctuation and vocabulary

Sentence types

• Simple: one main clause. “The bus arrived.”
• Compound: two main clauses joined by and, but or so. “The bus arrived, but it was full.”
• Complex: a main clause and a subordinate clause. “Although the bus was full, we got on.”

Using a variety of sentence types improves your writing.

Punctuation

• Full stop at the end of a statement; question mark after a direct question.
• Commas separate items in a list and mark off introductory phrases.
• Apostrophes show possession (the girl's bag, the girls' bags) or missing letters (don't, it's = it is).
• Inverted commas enclose the exact words spoken.

Common errors

• “Its” (belonging to it) vs “it's” (it is).
• “Their” (belonging to them), “there” (place), “they're” (they are).
• Run-on sentences: two sentences joined only by a comma.

Vocabulary

• Synonyms (similar meanings): big – large. Antonyms (opposites): generous – mean.
• Learn common idioms: “to let the cat out of the bag” means to reveal a secret.
• Use a dictionary and keep a vocabulary notebook.

Check yourself

1. Join into one complex sentence: “It rained heavily. The match continued.”
2. Insert apostrophes: “The teachers staffroom is next to the boys toilets.”
3. Give an antonym of “ancient”.