Year 2 — Punctuation

Sentence and list punctuation

Use full stops, capital letters, question marks and exclamation marks correctly, use commas in a list, and use an apostrophe to shorten words (like 'don't').

Back to Year 2

💡Understand

We already know full stops, capital letters, question marks and exclamation marks. Now we add COMMAS IN A LIST (to separate items) and APOSTROPHES FOR CONTRACTION (to shorten two words into one, like 'do not' → 'don't').

“I packed apples, bananas and grapes. I didn't forget my water bottle!”

Commas separate each item in the list (apples, bananas, grapes). The apostrophe in 'didn't' shows letters are missing — it's short for 'did not'.

🔍Spot it

What punctuation is being used here?

Question 1

I have a dog, a cat and a rabbit.

💡 The commas separate each item in the list of pets.

Question 2

I can't find my shoes.

💡 The apostrophe in 'can't' shows it's short for 'cannot'.

Question 3

What two words make up 'don't'?

💡 'Don't' is short for 'do not' — the apostrophe replaces the missing letters.

🧠Think about it

Why do we need commas between items in a list, like 'apples, bananas and grapes'?

✍️Try it

Where should the commas go?

I need a pencil a ruler and a rubber.

Question 1

Where should the commas be placed?

💡 Commas should separate each item in the list.

📝Practise

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence each time.

Question 1

Choose the correct one.

Question 2

What is the contraction for 'I am'?

Question 3

What is the contraction for 'she is'?

Question 4

What is the contraction for 'is not'? (with an apostrophe)

💡 Remove the 'o' from 'not' and add an apostrophe.

Question 5

Choose the correct one.

Question 6

What is the contraction for 'they are'?

🎯Apply

Read the passage, then answer the questions below.

For the picnic, we packed sandwiches, crisps and juice. I couldn't wait to eat!

Question 1

Why are there commas after 'sandwiches' and 'crisps'?

💡 Think about how many items are being listed.

Question 2

What two words make up 'couldn't'?

Question 3

Name one item that was packed for the picnic.

💡 Look at the list of items packed.

🏆Challenge

Can you write a list of three of your favourite foods, using commas correctly?

🔄Review

A quick mastery check — 3 questions.

Question 1

Choose the correct one.

Question 2

What is the contraction for 'will not'?

Question 3

Why do lists need commas between items?