Punctuation fixer

What the punctuation fixer does

Each sentence appears with some of its punctuation taken away. Small dots between words are places where a mark could go: tap one and choose the mark from the buttons that appear, or choose No mark. For apostrophes, tap the word itself and small dots appear between its letters; tap the one where the apostrophe belongs.

There are four practice sets. End marks takes away only the final period, question mark or exclamation mark. Commas takes away commas in lists, after yes and no, after a name when you speak to someone, after an opening part, and before but or so when they join two sentences. Apostrophes takes away the apostrophes in contractions like don't and we're and in possessives like Sam's. Mixed takes away everything. Check gives a hint for each problem without fixing it; Show the fixes gives the correct sentence and a reason for every mark.

Why fixing punctuation helps

Punctuation is easiest to learn when children decide where it goes and why, not just copy it. Tapping the exact spot makes them read closely and listen for the pauses, questions and missing letters that punctuation signals. The explanations connect each mark to a rule they can use in their own writing.

Common mix-ups

• Putting a comma wherever you pause. Commas follow rules, such as separating items in a list or coming before but when it joins two sentences.
• Forgetting that a question needs a question mark even when it is short, like "Do you like pancakes?"
• Putting the apostrophe where the two words join. In don't (do not), it takes the place of the missing o, so it goes between n and t, not between do and n.
• Using an apostrophe to make a plural. One cat, two cats; Sam's bike means the bike belongs to Sam.
• Worrying about the comma before and in a list. It is optional: many US writers use it, and this tool accepts it either way.

A 10-minute routine

• Do three sentences in End marks. The child reads each one aloud with the right voice before choosing the mark.
• Do three in Commas. Ask which rule each comma follows before pressing Check.
• Do two in Apostrophes and say each contraction as two words.
• Try one Mixed sentence and fix it using only the hints.
• Finish by writing your own sentence with a comma and an apostrophe.

Where it fits by grade

• Grade 1: use end punctuation (L.1.2.b) and commas to separate single words in a series (L.1.2.c). In England, Year 1 punctuates sentences with full stops, question marks and exclamation marks.
• Grade 2: use an apostrophe for contractions and frequently occurring possessives (L.2.2.c). Year 2 in England covers commas in lists and apostrophes for contractions and singular possession.
• Grade 4: use a comma before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence (L.4.2.c). Year 4 in England adds commas after fronted adverbials.
• Grade 5: use commas after an introductory element (L.5.2.b) and to set off yes and no and direct address (L.5.2.c).

Learning more

Commas and apostrophes each have a free topic page on Eurekami with practice and a printable worksheet with an answer key. Both are skills on the skill map, so Daily Practice can bring them back when they start to fade.