The Small Marks That Are Costing You Big Marks
Have you ever lost marks in a WAEC or NECO essay, not because your ideas were wrong, but because of a missing comma or a wrongly placed full stop? Have you ever sent a WhatsApp message or a work email and later realised the apostrophe you used made no sense at all? Punctuation feels like a small thing, but it changes meaning, affects your grade, and shapes how professional you sound in an email or CV. In this guide, I will walk you through every important punctuation mark in English, one at a time, in simple language, with real Nigerian examples, so that punctuation stops being confusing and starts becoming automatic.
Quick Promise: I have explained punctuation to hundreds of students, and one lesson I always teach is this: punctuation is not decoration. Each mark has a specific job, and once you know that job, you will never be confused again.
Why Punctuation Feels So Confusing
Many Nigerian students struggle with punctuation for reasons that have little to do with intelligence.
Punctuation is rarely taught mark by mark: Most students were taught punctuation as a side note inside grammar lessons, rather than as its own subject with clear, individual rules.
WhatsApp and social media habits carry over: Casual typing habits, like skipping full stops or overusing exclamation marks, often slip into formal writing without the writer noticing.
Fear of “getting it wrong” leads to avoidance: Many students avoid using commas and semicolons altogether, out of fear of misusing them, which often creates even more confusing sentences.
Remember: You are not alone if you struggle with this. Even advanced English speakers sometimes hesitate over comma placement. The goal is clarity, not perfection on every single mark.
The Full Stop (.)
The full stop marks the end of a complete statement. This sounds simple, but one mistake I see almost every day is students joining two complete sentences together without a full stop between them.
Incorrect Correct
I finished my assignment I submitted it before the deadline. I finished my assignment. I submitted it before the deadline.
She resumed for NYSC last week she is settling in fine. She resumed for NYSC last week. She is settling in fine.
Here’s an easy way to remember it: if you can replace the space between two ideas with the word “and” and it still makes sense, they are likely two separate sentences that need their own full stops, unless you deliberately join them with a comma and a conjunction.
The Comma (,)
The comma is the most commonly misused punctuation mark in Nigerian writing, mainly because it has several different jobs, not just one.
Job 1: Separating Items in a List
Example: “I bought rice, beans, garri, and pepper at the market.”
Job 2: Joining Two Complete Sentences with a Conjunction
Example: “I wanted to attend the interview, but my transport broke down.”
Without the comma before “but,” this becomes a run-on sentence, one of the most common errors marked down in WAEC and NECO essays.
Job 3: Setting Off Extra Information
Example: “My brother, who works at First Bank, helped me open my account.”
The information between the commas can be removed, and the sentence still makes complete sense: “My brother helped me open my account.”
Job 4: After Introductory Words or Phrases
Example: “After the NYSC camp ended, we were posted to our various states.”
Expert Tip: One simple trick I recommend is reading your sentence aloud. Wherever you naturally pause while speaking, a comma often belongs there in writing, though this is a guide, not a strict rule for every case.
Quick Exercise: Add the Missing Commas
“I woke up early prayed and prepared for my interview.”
“My sister who lives in Port Harcourt is visiting this weekend.”
“Before the exam started the invigilator gave us instructions.”
Answers: 1. “I woke up early, prayed, and prepared for my interview.”
2. “My sister, who lives in Port Harcourt, is visiting this weekend.” 3. “Before the exam started, the invigilator gave us instructions.”
The Apostrophe (‘)
The apostrophe has exactly two jobs in English: showing possession, and forming contractions. Most students were taught this incorrectly, often adding apostrophes to plain plural words by mistake.
Incorrect Correct Explanation
The student’s are writing WAEC. The students are writing WAEC. No apostrophe needed; this is just a plural, not possession.
My brothers car is at the mechanic. My brother’s car is at the mechanic. Apostrophe shows the car belongs to the brother.
Its a good day for the interview. It’s a good day for the interview. “It’s” is a contraction of “it is.”
The dog wagged it’s tail. The dog wagged its tail. “Its” here shows possession and takes no apostrophe.
Here’s an easy way to remember it: “it’s” with an apostrophe always means “it is” or “it has.” “Its” without an apostrophe shows something belongs to “it.”
The Question Mark (?)
The question mark ends a direct question. This mistake is extremely common in Nigeria: using a question mark after a statement that only reports a question, rather than asking one directly.
Incorrect Correct
He asked me what time is the interview? He asked me what time the interview was.
She wanted to know if I had submitted my CV? She wanted to know if I had submitted my CV.
The correct way to remember this is simple: if you are reporting that someone asked a question, rather than asking it yourself directly, no question mark is needed.
The Exclamation Mark (!)
The exclamation mark shows strong emotion or emphasis. Many people believe more exclamation marks show more excitement, but that is not correct, especially in formal writing.
Too Casual for Formal Writing Appropriate for Formal Writing
“I am very interested in this role!!!” “I am very interested in this role.”
“Please reply as soon as possible!!” “Please reply as soon as possible.”
My advice is simple: avoid exclamation marks entirely in CVs, cover letters, and formal emails to employers. Save them for casual conversation or genuinely urgent situations.
The Colon (:)
The colon introduces a list, an explanation, or an example. Many students avoid it entirely, simply because it was never clearly explained.
Use Case Example
Introducing a list “I need to buy three things: rice, beans, and garri.
Introducing an explanation “There is one reason I missed the interview: my transport broke down.”
One habit that will transform your English is using the colon in reports and formal writing, where it makes lists and explanations look clean and organised.
The Semicolon (;)
The semicolon joins two related, complete sentences without using a conjunction like “and” or “but.” This is one of the most misunderstood punctuation marks among Nigerian students.
Example
“I submitted my JAMB form early; I did not want to miss the deadline.”
“She studied hard for her exams; her results reflected the effort.”
Focus on understanding before memorising: both halves of the sentence, on either side of the semicolon, must be able to stand alone as complete sentences.
Quotation Marks (” “)
Quotation marks show the exact words someone said or wrote. This is commonly needed in reported interviews, essays, and official letters.
Example: “My manager said, ‘Submit the report before Friday.'”
Notice that the punctuation for the quoted sentence, such as the full stop, sits inside the closing quotation mark, which is a detail many students get wrong.
Punctuation in Nigerian Professional Writing
CVs and Cover Letters
Keep punctuation clean and minimal. Avoid exclamation marks. Use commas correctly to separate skills, and full stops to end each bullet point consistently.
Office Emails
Overusing commas or skipping them completely both create confusion. A well-placed comma after a greeting, such as “Good morning,” followed by a complete sentence, keeps emails clear and professional.
WhatsApp and Social Media
Casual writing is generally forgiving with punctuation, but in professional WhatsApp groups, such as church committees or workplace groups, using full stops and commas correctly still reflects well on you.
Common Punctuation Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Mistake Why It Happens Correction
Joining two full sentences with only a comma (comma splice). Not recognising that both parts are complete sentences. Use a full stop, a semicolon, or add a conjunction like “and” or “but”.
Adding apostrophes to plain plurals. Confusing plurals with possession. Only add an apostrophe when showing ownership
Overusing exclamation marks in formal writing. Carrying over casual texting habits. Use full stops in formal writing; save exclamation marks for genuine emphasis.
Missing commas after introductory phrases. Not pausing while reading the sentence back. Read the sentence aloud and add a comma where you naturally pause.
Daily Practice Exercises for Punctuation
The Punctuation Hunt: Pick any paragraph you have written recently and check it specifically for comma splices and misplaced apostrophes.
The Rewrite Exercise: Take one sentence with no punctuation at all and add the correct commas, full stops, or other marks needed.
The Read-Aloud Check: Read your writing aloud and notice where you naturally pause. Check whether a comma or full stop belongs there.
The Weekly Focus: Choose one punctuation mark each week, such as the comma or the semicolon, and pay close attention to it in everything you write that week.
Quick Revision Summary
Use full stops to end complete statements, never joining two full sentences without proper punctuation.
Commas separate lists, join sentences with conjunctions, and set off extra information.
Apostrophes show possession or form contractions, never plain plurals.
Avoid exclamation marks in formal writing, such as CVs and cover letters.
Colons introduce lists and explanations; semicolons join two related, complete sentences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I keep joining two sentences with just a comma?
This is one of the most common English mistakes Nigerians make, known as a comma splice. It happens when two complete sentences are joined with only a comma, instead of a full stop, semicolon, or conjunction. Practise this every day by checking whether each half of your sentence could stand alone.
Is punctuation tested directly in WAEC and JAMB?
Yes, punctuation appears in comprehension, essay writing, and sometimes directly in objective questions. More importantly, poor punctuation in essays can cost marks even when your ideas are strong.
When should I use a semicolon instead of a comma?
Use a semicolon only when both parts of the sentence, on either side of it, can stand alone as complete sentences. If one part cannot stand alone, use a comma with a conjunction instead.
Is it wrong to use exclamation marks in WhatsApp messages?
No, exclamation marks are perfectly fine in casual conversation. The concern is mainly about formal writing, such as CVs, cover letters, and professional emails to employers or clients.
How can I stop misusing apostrophes?
Ask yourself one question before adding an apostrophe: does this word show ownership, or is it just a plural? If it is only a plural, no apostrophe is needed.
Conclusion: Small Marks, Big Difference
If you want to improve your English faster, don’t try to master every punctuation mark overnight. Focus on one mark this week, such as the comma or the apostrophe, and pay close attention to it in everything you write. Small daily practice brings big improvement, and with regular practice, you will improve until correct punctuation becomes second nature, in your exams, your CV, your emails, and your everyday writing.
For more lessons on mastering your exams, visit our English for Exams section. If you are preparing your CV or professional writing, explore English for Jobs and Career. For everyday communication skills, check out English Skills and Communication, and visit ExamGuideNG to explore our complete library of lessons.
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- The Ultimate LinkedIn Profile Guide: Build a Professional Profile That Attracts Recruiters
- The Complete Public Speaking Guide: Build Confidence and Speak Like a Professional
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- The Complete English Grammar Guide: Rules, Examples and Practice Exercises
- The Ultimate English Speaking Confidence Guide: Speak Fluently Without Fear
- The Complete English Punctuation Guide: Rules, Examples and Practice Exercises
Reference: Purdue OWL provides clear, detailed guidance on punctuation rules that support learners in producing accurate, professional written English.
Written by Tr. Edidiong Sunday
About Author
Edidiong Sunday is an English educator, communication specialist, and the founder of ExamGuideNG. She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication and a B.Ed. in English Education from the University of Uyo, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in English Education. With years of experience teaching English Language, Diction, and Public Speaking in reputable schools in Uyo, she creates practical, accurate, and learner-focused content to help students, job seekers, and professionals improve their English skills. Edidiong also runs a JAMB English tutorial centre in Uyo and has professional experience in journalism, broadcasting, and public speaking. Every article she publishes is guided by a commitment to clarity, accuracy, and helping learners achieve lasting success in academics, examinations, and everyday communication.
