5.3 Punctuation | ExamFinch

ATI TEAS 7 Nursing Admission

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1 Introduction to the ATI TEAS 7

1.1 About the ATI TEAS 7 Exam 1.2 Content Area Breakdown 1.3 Scoring and Program Requirements 1.4 Building Your TEAS Study Plan

2 Reading

2.1 Identifying the Main Idea 2.2 Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions 2.3 Summarizing and Paraphrasing 2.4 Understanding Text Structure 2.5 Author's Purpose, Tone, and Point of View 2.6 Evaluating Arguments, Evidence, and Credibility 2.7 Integrating Information and Interpreting Graphics 2.8 TEAS Reading Strategies, Pacing, and Practice

3 Mathematics

3.1 Whole Numbers and Basic Operations 3.2 Fractions 3.3 Decimals and Percentages 3.4 Ratios and Proportions 3.5 Algebra and Equations 3.6 Measurement and Unit Conversions 3.7 Statistics and Data Interpretation 3.8 Geometry Basics

4 Science

4.1 The Cardiovascular System 4.2 The Respiratory System 4.3 The Digestive System 4.4 The Nervous System 4.5 The Musculoskeletal System 4.6 The Urinary and Reproductive Systems 4.7 Cell Biology and Genetics 4.8 Chemistry Basics 4.9 Scientific Reasoning and the Scientific Method

5 English & Language Usage

5.1 Grammar and the Parts of Speech 5.2 Sentence Structure 5.3 Punctuation 5.4 Spelling and Word Usage 5.5 Vocabulary in Context and Word Parts 5.6 Paragraph Organization and the Writing Process 5.7 Formal vs. Informal Language, Audience, and Tone 5.8 TEAS English Section Strategies and Pacing

Free exam prep ATI TEAS 7 Practice Questions 120 questions Study Guide 37 topics Cheat Sheet 113 facts Flashcards 50 cards

5.3 Punctuation

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

Commas separate list items, set off introductory and nonessential elements, and precede a coordinating conjunction joining independent clauses

Semicolons join closely related independent clauses and separate list items that already contain commas

Colons introduce a list, explanation, or quotation and must follow a complete independent clause

Apostrophes show possession (the nurse's chart) and form contractions (don't, it's = it is)

In American English, periods and commas always go inside closing quotation marks Last updated: October 2026

Punctuation Signals Meaning Punctuation marks are the road signs of writing—they tell the reader where to pause, stop, group, or connect ideas. Punctuation items can show you a sentence and ask which version is punctuated correctly rather than ask for a definition. That means you must know the rule behind each mark, not just recognize it. The five marks to master are the comma, semicolon, colon, apostrophe, and quotation marks. Commas The comma has more rules than any other mark, and the test exploits the rules that writers most often break.

Comma Rule Example Separate items in a series She gathered gauze, tape, and scissors. Before a coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses The IV was started, and fluids began. After an introductory word, phrase, or clause After the rounds, the team charted. Around nonessential (extra) information Dr. Lee, our supervisor, signed the order. Between coordinate adjectives a calm, capable nurse With direct address and dates Doctor, the patient is ready; July 4, 2026 The big trap is the comma splice —using a comma alone to join two independent clauses. "The patient improved, she was discharged" is wrong; it needs a conjunction, semicolon, or period. Equally, do not put a comma between a subject and its verb ("The senior nurse, reviewed the chart" is incorrect).

Semicolons and Colons The semicolon has two jobs: Join two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction: "The surgery succeeded; the patient is recovering." Separate list items that contain internal commas: "Sites include Boston, MA; Denver, CO; and Reno, NV." A semicolon must have a complete independent clause on both sides (except in the list-with-commas case). If only one side is independent, you need a different mark. The colon introduces something—a list, an explanation, or a quotation—and the words before the colon must form a complete sentence. Correct: "She needs three items: gauze, tape, and scissors." Incorrect: "She needs: gauze, tape, and scissors." ("She needs" is not a complete thought before the colon.) Explanation use: "The cause was clear: dehydration." Apostrophes The apostrophe does two things—shows possession and forms contractions .

Use Rule Example Singular possession add 's the nurse's badge Plural ending in -s add only ' the nurses' lounge Plural not ending in -s add 's the children's ward Contraction apostrophe marks dropped letters do not → don't The key apostrophe errors to master are the possessive-vs-contraction pairs. Its is possessive ("the unit changed its policy"); it's means "it is." Whose is possessive; who's means "who is." Plural nouns do not take an apostrophe ("three nurses," not "three nurse's").

Quotation Marks and End Punctuation Quotation marks enclose direct speech and the titles of short works (articles, poems, short stories). In American English , the placement of nearby punctuation follows fixed rules: Periods and commas go inside the closing quotation mark: She said, "The vitals are stable." Semicolons and colons go outside: She called it "routine"; the chart disagreed. Question marks and exclamation points go inside only if they belong to the quote: He asked, "Is the room ready?" but Did she really say "routine"? End Punctuation at a Glance

Mark Use Example Period (.) Ends a statement or mild command Chart the intake. Question mark (?) Ends a direct question Is the patient stable? Exclamation point (!) Ends an urgent or emotional statement Call a code! Hyphens and Dashes (Quick Reference) A hyphen joins compound adjectives before a noun (a well-known surgeon, a 10-year-old patient) and spelled-out compound numbers (twenty-one). An em dash (—) sets off an abrupt break or emphasis: "The result—surprisingly—was negative." Worked Example: Choose the correctly punctuated sentence. (A) The lab confirmed the result, the doctor adjusted the dose. (B) The lab confirmed the result; the doctor adjusted the dose. (C) The lab confirmed the result: the doctor adjusted the dose. (D) The lab confirmed the result the doctor adjusted the dose. Step 1 – Count the clauses. "The lab confirmed the result" and "the doctor adjusted the dose" are both complete independent clauses. Step 2 – Eliminate the errors. (A) is a comma splice; (D) is a fused run-on; (C) misuses the colon, which should introduce a list or explanation, not link two equal statements. Step 3 – Confirm the legal join. A semicolon correctly links two closely related independent clauses, so (B) is right. Answer: (B).

Test Your Knowledge

Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

The crash cart contains: epinephrine, a defibrillator, and airway supplies.

The crash cart contains three essentials: epinephrine, a defibrillator, and airway supplies.

The crash cart: contains epinephrine, a defibrillator, and airway supplies.

The crash cart contains epinephrine: a defibrillator, and airway supplies. Check Answer Need a hint? AI

Test Your Knowledge

Which sentence correctly uses the apostrophe?

The nurses lounge is on the third floor, and its always busy.

The nurses' lounge is on the third floor, and it's always busy.

The nurse's lounge is on the third floor, and its' always busy.

The nurses' lounge is on the third floor, and its always busy. Check Answer Need a hint? AI

Test Your Knowledge

In American English, where do a period and a comma go relative to closing quotation marks?

Both always go outside the quotation marks.

Both always go inside the quotation marks.

The period goes inside, but the comma goes outside.

Placement depends on the length of the quotation. Check Answer Need a hint? AI

Test Your Knowledge Fill in the Blank

Insert the missing comma. Type the single word that should be immediately followed by a comma: "After the morning rounds the resident updated every chart." Type your answer below Check Answer Need a hint? AI

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