Capital Letters and Periods: Sentence Basics
A1 · Writing Lab · about 20 minutes
1 · Learn
Capital letters start: every sentence, the word “I”, names of people and places, days and months, and languages. Almost everything else starts small. Getting capitals right makes your writing look careful from the first line.
A period ends a statement. A question ends with a question mark (?). Do not join two full sentences with only a comma — that is the most common punctuation mistake in English. Give each sentence its own period.
2 · See an Example
A Note That Gets It Right
Dear Mr. Johnson,
Thank you for the book. I read it on Saturday, and I liked it a lot. My favorite part is the trip to New York.
See you on Monday.
Emma
3 · Analyze the Example
- Names and days are capital. Mr. Johnson, Saturday, Monday, New York — people, days, and places always take capitals.
- “I” is always capital. “I read it”, “I liked it” — the word I never appears small in correct writing.
- One idea, one period. Four short sentences, four periods. Nothing runs together.
- The greeting and closing. “Dear Mr. Johnson,” starts the note; the name at the end signs it.
Useful Vocabulary
Names start with a capital letter.
End the sentence with a period.
“How are you?” ends with a question mark.
Use a comma after “Dear Mr. Johnson,”
Emma, Chicago, and Friday are proper nouns.
Useful Expressions
- Dear … ,
- Thank you for …
- See you on …
- I liked it a lot.
- My favorite part is …
Common Mistakes
✗ i have a dog. his name is max.
✓ I have a dog. His name is Max.
“I” and names (Max) are always capital.
✗ I like pizza, I eat it every week.
✓ I like pizza. I eat it every week.
Two full sentences need a period, not only a comma.
✗ She speaks english and spanish.
✓ She speaks English and Spanish.
Languages are proper nouns — always capital.
4 · Guided Practice
Add capitals: “on friday, maria goes to boston.”
See a model answer
On Friday, Maria goes to Boston.
Split into two sentences with a period: “I have a cat she is black”
See a model answer
I have a cat. She is black.
Fix the punctuation: “do you like coffee.”
See a model answer
Do you like coffee?
5 · Write — Your Task
✍️ Write a short thank-you note (like the model) to a teacher or a friend: thank them for something, say one thing you liked, and finish with a friendly closing line.
Goal: 4–6 sentences · Length: 35–55 words
- Start with “Dear + name,” and sign your name at the end.
- Check every capital: I, names, places, days.
- One idea per sentence — end each with a period.
6 · Check — Self-Check
Work through your checklist honestly, then run the Self-Check. It counts words and sentences and spots mechanical points — it does not grade your English. You are the editor.
Read a model answer for the task
Dear Miss Taylor,
Thank you for the English book. I read it on Sunday. The stories are easy and fun. My favorite story is about the dog.
See you in class on Tuesday.
Lily
7 · Improve & Rewrite
Weak version — rewrite it in your notebook first, then compare:
dear mr. carter thank you for your help i understand the lesson now see you on wednesday tom
See an improved version
Dear Mr. Carter,
Thank you for your help. I understand the lesson now.
See you on Wednesday.
Tom
Quick Quiz
Keep going
📘 Grammar deep-dive: Punctuation Masterclass for Sentences🌱 Vocabulary Builder: the A1 Time Basics set← Previous lesson · A1 — all lessons · Next: Short Messages: Texts and Quick Notes →
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