Year 1 — Grammar

Letters and end punctuation

Use capital letters in the right places, and choose the right punctuation mark to end a sentence — a full stop, a question mark, or an exclamation mark.

Back to Year 1

💡Understand

A full stop (.) ends a normal telling sentence. A question mark (?) ends a question — something we're asking. An exclamation mark (!) ends an exciting or surprising sentence. We also always use a capital letter at the START of a sentence, and for the word 'I' and people's names.

“Is Sam coming? He is so excited!”

The first sentence ends with a question mark because it's asking something. The second ends with an exclamation mark because it's exciting. 'Sam' has a capital letter because it's a name.

🔍Spot it

Which punctuation mark should end this sentence?

Question 1

The sun is shining

💡 This is just a normal telling sentence, so it needs a full stop.

Question 2

What is your name

💡 This is asking something, so it needs a question mark.

Question 3

We won the game

💡 This is exciting news, so it could use an exclamation mark to show the excitement.

🧠Think about it

Why do we use a capital letter for someone's name, like 'Sam' or 'Amy', even in the middle of a sentence?

✍️Try it

Choose the right punctuation mark.

Can I have a biscuit

Question 1

What punctuation mark should end this sentence?

💡 Is this sentence asking for something?

📝Practise

Choose the correct punctuation mark for each sentence.

Question 1

I have a red bike

Question 2

Where is my shoe

Question 3

Watch out for the ball

Question 4

What punctuation mark ends a question? (one symbol)

💡 It's used when we're asking something.

Question 5

The bird flew away

Question 6

Do you like ice cream

🎯Apply

Read the passage, then answer the questions below.

jack ran to the park is Mia there she waved and shouted hello

Question 1

What is missing from 'jack' at the start?

💡 'Jack' is a name — names always need this.

Question 2

What punctuation mark should end 'is Mia there'?

💡 This part is asking a question.

Question 3

Find the name in the passage that needs a capital letter (other than Jack).

💡 Look for the other person's name mentioned.

🏆Challenge

Can you write one sentence that ends with a question mark, and one that ends with an exclamation mark?

🔄Review

A quick mastery check — 3 questions.

Question 1

The cat is sleeping

Question 2

Why do names always start with a capital letter?

Question 3

Can we go outside now

Want more practice mixing this with other grammar rules? Try Grammar practice →