Sentence endings: tiny marks, big jobs

Tiny marks, big jobs

The hat is red. That sentence tells us something. The little mark at the end is a period. A period can finish a calm statement. It is tiny, but it has a job. No tiny hat is required.

Ask a question

Where is my hat? This sentence asks a question. Put a question mark at the end. The reader knows you are asking for an answer. Our hat has not learned to talk, so we may have to look for it ourselves.

Show a strong feeling

We won! Here the speaker feels very excited. An exclamation mark can show that strong feeling. It can also fit an urgent warning, like Watch out! You do not need one after every sentence.

Listen to the meaning

I wonder where it is. That tells us what someone is thinking. It is not a direct question, even though it has the word where. Read the whole sentence. Do not choose a question mark just because you spot one word.

Pause and choose

Can I wear it? Imagine you are asking to wear the hat. Pause here. Which ending belongs on the sentence: a period, a question mark, or an exclamation mark? Say why you chose it.

This sentence asks

Use a question mark. Can I wear it asks for an answer. A sentence that calmly tells something usually takes a period. A strong feeling or urgent warning may take an exclamation mark. Think about what the speaker means.

The ending changes the message

Fun fact: the same words can send different messages with a different ending. You can go, with a period, tells someone something. You can go, with a question mark, can ask for confirmation. Tiny marks help the reader hear the meaning.

Give each sentence an ending

Our hat is here. That is a calm statement, so a period fits. Now continue to the worksheet. Read each situation, decide what the speaker means, and choose an ending. You are in charge of these tiny but useful marks.