Whereas grammar is the structure of written and spoken language, what we call "mechanics" refers to the rules of the written language, such as capitalization, punctuation and spelling. In this lesson we will concentrate mainly on punctuation. Spelling will have a lesson on its own.

So... Punctuation. In a written text, this big word makes all the difference. Check it out:

before starting the arduous task henry looked for accommodation and after resting for a while he started the search he asked in bars shops to the neighbours whether they knew an american lady called marjorie thomas nobody knew anything

Did you have a comfortable read? I didn't think so...

Read it again:

Before starting the arduous task, Henry looked for accommodation and after resting for a while, he started the search. He asked in bars, shops, to the neighbours, whether they knew an American lady called Marjorie Thomas. Nobody knew anything.

Capitalization (at the start of sentences), commas (to separate items) and full stops/periods (to separate sentences) are all essential parts of a written text. Not so much capital letters, but commas and full stops/periods represent pauses in spoken language (did you notice you needed to stop somewhere to breath, but couldn't, in the first text?).

Now we are going to see in more detail these and other punctuation marks that you would need to master in order to create "spot-on" texts in your websites.

CAPITAL LETTERS - Use them in these cases:

1) At the beginning of sentences: My cousin is from Denmark

2) For the pronoun "I": I am, I live, I exist

3) For proper nouns such as names, places, languages, religious festivals. deities, holy books, organizations, brands, historical periods and events, days of the week, months of the year, etc.: Mary, Jules, France, Tokyo, Spanish, Chinese, Easter, Diwali, Krishna, Bible, British Airways, Pepsi, the Great Depression, the Middle Ages, Monday, September

4) To mark the first word and the subsequent key words in titles: The War of the Worlds, The Lord of the Rings

5) For abbreviations: NATO, BBC, RSVP, DKNY

6) For titles before names:Lady Mary, Doctor Watson, Queen Elizabeth II, President Obama

There are many more uses of capitals, but the above list summarises the main ones. Stick to them.

FULL STOPS/PERIODS ( . )

Very simple, no science here. Use full stops (in Britain) and periods (in America) (Sorry, not so sure about other English-speaking countries, but I'm assuming that Canadian and Australian Englsh take after British, no?) at the end of sentences. That's all.

COMMAS ( , )

These little squiggles after words in written form are, as mentioned earlier, pauses as we speak. These are the main uses:

1) To list things in a sentence: I bought lettuce, cream, bread, and a bottle of water (the last comma, can be left out).

2) To join sentences followed by conjunctions (connecting words) such as and, or, but, while or yet:We came early, but we didn't start until half an hour later.Rose attended the meeting, and everyone had a shocking surprise.

3) To show that words have been omitted: Some people spend the evening watching TV; others, surfing the internet. John is here for the money, Patrick for the fun.

4) To set off interruptions in the sentence: This book, written by a new author, is the next best thing in literature. Julia, my neighbour's niece, has started a career in Broadway.

As with other punctuation marks, commas has many more uses, but I would suggest to practise these first, then you can move on to less familiar uses.

APOSTROPHES ( ' )

This one's a biggie. I would dare to say, this is the most misunderstood and even hated punctuation mark of them all. People get it wrong all the time. Why? I don't know, but it's not that difficult, really. Ready to become part of a minority? Let's demystify it.

The good news is that there are only two main uses of apostrophes, and these are:

1) To indicate missing letters in the middle of words or phrases. Thus, didn't (did not); I'd (I had or I would); we're (we are); you'll (you will); can't (cannot); it's (it is)and many more.

2) To indicate belonging or ownership: For singular nouns, The car of Ray becomes Ray's car; Ray being the owner. The dress of the princess becomes The princess's dress; the princess being the owner (notice that though ending in "s", the apostrophe still goes between the owner and the final "s"). For plural nouns, The meeting of the entrepreneurs becomes The entrepreneurs' meeting; the entrepreneurs being the owners. The success of the affiliates becomes The affiliates' success. So, in this case the apostrophe will go right after the owner with no need to add another "s". For "irregular" plural nouns such as men, women, children, feet, teeth, sheep, etc., which don't take "s" as normal plurals, the rule for singular nouns applies: The men's shoes; The children's toys; The sheep's owner.

Another use, less important, is to indicate unusual words or phrases: pick 'n' mix; rock 'n' roll; mind your p's and q's; 'twas; o'er; and so on...

COLON ( : ) Used to introduce a list: These are the ingredients you need to make the roast: Chicken Potatoes Carrots Oil. Also used to introduce an explanation preceded by a clause that makes sense on its own:There was only one thing we could do: stay out of trouble.

SEMICOLON ( ; ) Used to separate items in long lists: The attendees to the meeting were Mr Jameson, the CEO; Mrs Bell, his PA; John Faray, the lawyer; Terry Lacey, the building owner; and Sarah. Also to join two related sentences: I hope you bring the cards; it's going to be a long night.

That's all for now. There are other punctuation marks, but let's stick to these for now, as they are the most commonly attached to written texts. Once you master them, you can cover the rest to have a complete picture of the "mechanics" of language.

Now, let's get the practice rolling with the following tasks. Enjoy!

Put periods/full stops followed by capital letters where needed in the following text

I felt sympathy for her when I heard her story she grew up in the suburbs surrounded by dogs and an alcoholic grandmother her life was one of poverty and deprivation, unable to eat proper food, have the basic hygiene or even an education due to her determination and drive to live another life, she finally learned to read and write at the age of 16 when her grandmother died, she left the suburbs and moving to a much nicer area in the city, she found her first job as a waitress the rest is history.

Where do the commas go?

To make the birthday card we will need a ruler colour pens scissors some old pictures and glue.

It's raining today but we are still playing football.

Our cousins go on holiday in May we go in July.

Melissa the carpenter's daughter is marrying my brother.

Add apostrophes where needed

The chefs uniform had food stains all over

My friends house is just in the outskirts of their hometown

I wont accept her apologies just yet

He shouldve done it sooner, now its too late

The womens department is just around the corner

I dont really like salt n vinegar flavour

Colon or Semicolon?

It's such an awful day outside I'd rather stay home all day.

This is what I want you to bring from the shop bread, butter and milk.

The thought came clear to her mind she was going to finally confess.

John, the carpenter Paul, the butcher Julia, the seamstress and Sam, the baker were all in the meeting

CHALLENGE!! Add the correct punctuation in the sentences

andy wasnt sure if he had to stay as they suggested him after everybody else had gone home

as soon as i got to the office i opened all the windows cleared the desk made coffee and sat to rest

my sisters husband comes from a very rich american family the sinclair, from denver

bring them to the reunion but tell them not to bring any alcoholic drink with them we got plenty

jenny sang three songs chris only one and the rest of us endured them all

the contending dogs owners seemed all very eccentric to the public they were part of the show

mr and mrs brown have arrived tell them to help themselves to some coffee

she shouldve brought the scissors the hairbrush the trimmer and the hair dryer

ANSWERS

Put periods/full stops followed by capital letters where needed in the following text

I felt sympathy for her when I heard her story. She grew up in the suburbs surrounded by dogs and an alcoholic grandmother. Her life was one of poverty and deprivation, unable to eat proper food, have the basic hygiene or even an education. Due to her determination and drive to live another life, she finally learned to read and write at the age of 16. When her grandmother died, she left the suburbs and moving to a much nicer area in the city, she found her first job as a waitress. The rest is history.

Where does the comma go?

To make the birthday card we will need a ruler, colour pens, scissors, some old pictures, and glue.

It's raining today, but we are still playing football.

Our cousins go on holiday in May, we go in July.

Melissa, the carpenter's daughter, is marrying my brother.

Add apostrophes where needed

The chef's uniform had food stains all over

My friends' house is just in the outskirts of their hometown

I won't accept her apologies just yet

He should've done it sooner, now it's too late

The women's department is just around the corner

I don't really like salt 'n' vinegar flavour

Colon or Semicolon?

It's such an awful day outside; I'd rather stay home all day.

This is what I want you to bring from the shop: bread, butter and milk.

The thought came clear to her mind: she was going to finally confess.

John, the carpenter; Paul, the butcher; Julia, the seamstress; and Sam, the baker were all in the meeting

CHALLENGE!! Add the correct punctuation in the sentences

Andy wasn't sure if he had to stay, as they suggested him, after everybody else had gone home.

As soon as I got to the office, I opened all the windows; cleared the desk; made coffee and sat to rest.

My sister's husband comes from a very rich American family: the Sinclair, from Denver.

Bring them to the reunion, but tell them not to bring any alcoholic drink with them. We got plenty.

Jenny sang three songs, Chris only one, and the rest endured them all.

The contending dogs' owners seemed all very eccentric:to the public they were part of the show.

Mr and Mrs Brown have arrived; tell them to help themselves to some coffee.

She should've brought the scissors, the hairbrush, the trimmer and the hair dryer.