Once full stops and commas are secure, these four marks let you show ownership, join related ideas and set out speech. Used well, they signal a controlled, mature writer.
Why this matters Confident, correct use of apostrophes, colons, semicolons and speech marks is exactly what IGCSE examiners mean by "a range of punctuation used accurately and for effect". Misplaced apostrophes, on the other hand, are one of the most noticed errors.
Apostrophes
- Contraction (missing letters): do not → don't, it is → it's.
- Possession (ownership): singular add 's – Aisha's book; plural ending in s add just an apostrophe – the girls' team.
Beware its (belonging to it) versus it's (it is): The cat licked its paw. It's raining.
Colons and semicolons
- A colon introduces a list or an explanation: We need three things: patience, effort and faith.
- A semicolon joins two closely linked complete sentences: The sun set; the sky glowed orange.
Speech marks
Put spoken words inside speech marks, and keep the punctuation of the speech inside them.
- "Please help me," said Yusuf.
- Layla asked, "Where is the key?"
Note the difference between a colon and a semicolon: a colon points forwards to what follows, while a semicolon balances two equal, complete ideas. You could not swap them. Note too that the words either side of a semicolon must each be able to stand alone as a full sentence, which is a useful test before you use one.
Rule to remember: the comma, full stop or question mark that belongs to the speech goes inside the closing speech marks, and a new speaker starts a new line.
Four marks, four jobs
| Mark | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Apostrophe (contraction) | Stands in for missing letters | do not → don't |
| Apostrophe (possession) | Shows ownership | Aisha's book; the girls' team |
| Colon | Introduces a list or an explanation | We need three things: patience, effort and faith. |
| Semicolon | Joins two closely linked complete sentences | The sun set; the sky glowed orange. |
| Speech marks | Enclose spoken words — punctuation stays inside | “Please help me,” she said. |
The possession rule in one line
| The owner is… | You add… | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | apostrophe + s | the girl's bag (one girl) |
| Plural already ending in s | just an apostrophe | the girls' bags (several girls) |
The trap examiners notice most — which word belongs in each sentence?
- The cat licked ___ paw
- The tree lost ___ leaves
- ___ raining again
- ___ a long way to Madīnah
Common exam mistake: Confusing its (belonging to it) with it's (it is), or writing an apostrophe in an ordinary plural such as "banana's for sale". Misplaced apostrophes are among the most noticed errors in the whole exam, precisely because the correct rule is so short.
Exam technique: Before using a semicolon, test both halves separately — could each one stand alone as a complete sentence? "The sun set; the sky glowed orange" passes the test; if either half fails, you need a comma or a different mark instead.