AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas

Punctuate sentences correctly and use punctuation accurately, e.g. commas, apostrophes, inverted commas (a) Understand and use commas when they are needed to separate parts of complex sentences, to enclose extra information, or to mark off direct speech (b) Understand and use an apostrophe to show a missing letter or letters, e.g. they're, we've, I'm (c) Know the full verb equivalents and that the writer can choose short or full forms depending on the formality required (d) Understand the difference between it's (‘it is') and its (‘belonging to it') (e) Understand the use of apostrophes to show where a final -s indicates that something belongs to someone or something (f) Understand the use of inverted commas for direct speech, and to indicate a quotation

A powerpoint presentation showing incorrect use of the apostrophe and comma. Useful for discussions to show the correct use and for learners to say why the apostrophe is wrong. Has ‘its’ and ‘it’s’ and omissive and possessive apostrophes.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
Functional English - writing
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
Ws/L1.3
Ws/E3.4

Editor’s note
Updated Sept 17. Errors corrected and minor layout changes.

A handout and exercise sheets for using direct and reported speech. Gives several example of each and the exercises work by switching the same message between direct and reported speech.

I have used this as a speaking/listing exercise as well as writing for grammar/punctuation. Target group is really L1 /L2 but can work well with high E3 too.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
SLc/L1.2
Apply punctuation and capitalisation
ESOL
ESOL Writing
ESOL Writing: sentence focus (punctuation and grammar)

This resource uses a flow chart to help guide learners to the correct use of apostrophes.

Editor’s note
Updated Aug 2016. now includes irregular plurals such as ‘children’.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
Rs/L1.2
Apostrophes
ESOL
ESOL Ws/L2.4a
ESOL Rs/L1.2a Use punctuation to help understanding

L1/2 factsheet and worksheet on bracketing and listing commas.
Useful for underpinning L1-2 Functional English writing skills.

Level
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional English - writing
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
Ws/L1.3
Rs/L1.2
ESOL
ESOL Ws/L2.4a
ESOL Ws/L1.3a
ESOL Rs/E3.2a Recognise function of CLs, full stops, commas, question- exclamation- and speech marks, bullet points /numbering

A Powerpoint suitable for an end of lesson assessment. Includes omissive and possessive apostrophes.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
Rs/L1.2
Apostrophes

L1/L2 resource adapted from comma quizzes in The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation by Jane Straus. Nine slides of multiple choice questions. They are all in red, green, yellow or blue so that learners can throw beanbags into the corresponding hoops, or hold up corresponding cards etc. The choices are sometimes very tricky and this provokes a lot of discussion.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
Ws/L1.3
Rs/L2.2
Rs/L1.2

Two fun punctuation exercises for cat lovers.
Both are quite challenging. The first page requires full stops, capital letters and commas (E3-L1) whereas the second also includes quotation marks and apostrophes (L1-L2).

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
Ws/L1.3
Ws/E3.4
Context
Animals, animal care, farming & equine

Another expertly adapted text with ten missing apostrophes. Includes apostrophes of omission and possession (some example are challenging).
Inspired by Rachel Emmett’s ‘Capello Gerrard World Cup apostrophes’ resources (see below).

Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
Rs/L1.2
ESOL
ESOL Ws/L2.4a
ESOL Rs/L1.2a Use punctuation to help understanding
Context
Sport and fitness

Challenging L2 reading comprehension based on a 2008 BBC article about Philippe Petit’s 1972 high wire walk between the twin towers (written after Petit was interviewed on the Radio 4 Today programme). Tasks focus on summarising / re-wording, and punctuation (speech marks) but also include general comprehension and a short writing task. There is also an answer sheet ans useful links to online videos and trailers that can be used to introduce the task.

Level
Level 2
English
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
AL Reading: comprehension

Clear handout explaining the basics of punctuating direct speech. Split into three sections: the speech marks, the remaining punctuation, and the use of a new paragraph / line for each new speaker.
Each section has an accompanying set of exercises.
Mapped to the Functional English criteria and adult literacy curriculum elements.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
AL Ws/L2.4 Use apostrophes & inverted commas
Ws/L1.3