isiXhosa First Additional Language - Term 4 - Week 3

Punctuation marks are important in writing because they help us understand the meaning of sentences. In isiXhosa, we use full stops, commas, and question marks. A full stop (.) tells us that a sentence has ended. A comma (,) is used to separate items in a list or to pause in a sentence. A question mark (?) is used at the end of a question. Today, we will learn how to use these punctuation marks correctly.

Let’s look at the sentence: 'uSipho uthanda ukudlala ibhola uThandi.' This sentence is missing punctuation. The correct version is: 'uSipho uthanda ukudlala ibhola. uThandi.' Notice how we added a full stop to separate the two ideas. Now, let’s try another example together: 'uNandi uthanda ukufunda.' What punctuation do we need here?

In groups, you will receive a list of sentences without punctuation. Your task is to read each sentence and decide where to place the punctuation marks. For example, if you have the sentence 'uMpho uyaphosa ibhola', you should add a full stop at the end. After you finish, we will share our sentences with the class and discuss the corrections.

Now it’s your turn to write! Write three sentences about your favorite animal. Make sure to use correct punctuation at the end of each sentence. After you write your sentences, read them to a partner and check if they have the correct punctuation. Remember to help each other with spacing and clarity.

• Full stop
• Comma
• Question mark
• Exclamation mark

Answer: Question mark

A question mark is used to indicate that a sentence is asking something.

• uThandi uthanda ukudlala ibhola
• uThandi uthanda ukudlala ibhola.
• uthandi uthanda ukudlala ibhola.
• uThandi, uthanda ukudlala ibhola.

Answer: uThandi uthanda ukudlala ibhola.

The correct sentence should have a full stop at the end to indicate it is complete.

Answer: To separate items in a list or to create a pause.

Commas help clarify meaning by separating different parts of a sentence.

• uSipho uyaphosa ibhola
• uSipho uyaphosa ibhola.
• uSipho, uyaphosa ibhola
• uSipho uyaphosa ibhola?

Answer: uSipho uyaphosa ibhola

This sentence is missing a full stop at the end.

Answer: My favorite food is pizza.

The sentence should end with a full stop to indicate it is complete.

• Full stop
• Comma
• Question mark
• Colon

Answer: Comma

Commas are used to separate items in a list.

• uNandi
• uNandi uthanda
• uNandi uthanda ukufunda.
• uthanda ukufunda.

Answer: uNandi uthanda ukufunda.

A complete sentence must have a subject and a verb, and it should end with punctuation.