ABU DHABI INDIAN SCHOOL - BRANCH 1, AL WATHBA
GRAMMAR – PUNCTUATION
GRADE 4
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Learning Objective: To analyze the sentences and apply colon and other punctuation marks in sentences.
RECAP
Full stops are used to end a sentence when that sentence has expressed a complete thought or idea. They're
only used to end sentences which are statements, not questions or exclamations.
For example: I hope to see you soon.
A comma can be used to join two or more independent clauses together. If we use a comma this way, we
follow it with a coordinating conjunction (for, as, nor, but, or, yet, so) before introducing the next
independent clause. For example: I love dogs, and dogs love me.
He wanted to be a sailor, but he couldn't swim.
A question mark (?) is placed at the end of a sentence which is a direct question.
For example: Did you complete the assignment?
Does anyone have a pen I can borrow?
The exclamation mark (!) or exclamation point (American English), is a punctuation mark usually used after
an interjection or exclamation to indicate strong feelings or to show emphasis. The exclamation mark often
marks the end of a sentence.
For example: "Watch out!"
COLON
A colon is a punctuation mark that introduces or points to other directly related text. It looks like two
dots, one on top of the other (:) and always has a space after it. Colons generally come after
independent clauses.
1) Rule 1
Use a colon to introduce a series of items, but only if the list is introduced by an independent clause (A
clause that can stand on its own). Do not capitalize the first item after the colon (unless it’s a proper
noun). Avoid using a colon before a list if it directly follows a verb or preposition.
Example:
1) We saw several cars: a Honda, a Ford, and a Toyota. (Here, colon introduces a list of cars)
2) There were four ingredients in the soup: tomatoes, beans, celery, and carrots.
3) The teacher will require a few things the first day of class: two red pens, a notebook, and a USB
drive.
2) Rule 2
Use a colon to introduce a quotation. (The quotation MUST begin with a capital letter.)
Example:
1) Shakespeare said it best: “To thine own self be true.”
2) The host made an announcement: "You are all staying for dinner."
3) The cowboy uttered his final words: “Protect the ranch at all costs.”
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3) Rule 3
Use a colon between two independent clauses when the second sentence (clause) explains more about
the first sentence.
Note: When an independent clause follows a colon, the second clause may begin with either a
lowercase or a capital letter.
Example:
1) After the service, the women performed a graceful task: they lit the tiny candles one by one.
2) He got what he worked for: he really earned that promotion.
3) Life is like a road: Every path takes you somewhere.
4) Rule 4
Use a colon to emphasize a phrase or single word at the end of a sentence.
Example:
1) The best part of the week has begun: the weekend. (Here, the sentence after the colon is incomplete).
2) After three weeks of deliberation, the jury finally reached a verdict: guilty.
3) There’s one more thing we need: a plane ticket.
5) Rule 5
Use a colon to separate certain elements, such as numbers to show proportions, between hours and
minutes in time and between a title and subtitle.
Example:
1) The ratio of students to teachers was 30:1.
2) The happiest hour of the day is between 19:00 and 20:00.
3) Pirates of the Caribbean: Tides of War
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