Punctuation

There are 14 punctuation marks that are commonly used in English grammar. They are the
period, question mark, exclamation point, comma, semicolon, colon, dash, hyphen,
parentheses, brackets, braces, apostrophe, quotation marks, and ellipsis.

Punctuation is the name of the marks used in writing. They are very essential signs to
understand a sentence in correct way. They represent the expression and feeling in a
sentence. It is used to bring clarity and meaning to writing. Punctuation marks are symbols
that help us to organize and structure sentences. The term punctuation is derived from a
Latin term punctum. It means the correct use of points or stops in writing.

. Full Stop
A full stop marks the end of a sentence. While reading a sentence we need to pause after a
full stop. Full stops end sentences that are not questions or exclamations. A full stop is used
at the end of every telling sentence.

Example sentence

 This is an Elephant.
 Ann is an excellent teacher.

A full stop is also used at the end of an abbreviated word or between the letters of an
abbreviated word. We DO NOT use a full stop with abbreviations formed from the first
capital letters. For example: BBC, USA and MA.

Examples

 Co.
 etc.
 e.g.
 i.e.

Use a period at the end of a command.

 Hand in the poster essays no later than noon on Friday.

 In case of tremors, leave the building immediately.

Use a period at the end of an indirect question.

 The teacher asked why Maria had left out the easy exercises.
 My father used to wonder why Egbert's ears were so big.

Use a period with abbreviations:

 Dr. Espinoza arrived from Washington, D.C., at 6 p.m.

Notice that when the period ending the abbreviation comes at the end of a sentence, it will
also suffice to end the sentence. On the other hand, when an abbreviation ends a question
or exclamation, it is appropriate to add a question mark or exclamation mark after the
abbreviation-ending period:

 Did you enjoy living in Washington, D.C.?

Occasionally, a statement will end with a question. When that happens, it is appropriate to
end the sentence with a question mark.

 We can get to Boston quicker, can't we, if we take the interstate?

 His question was, can we end this statement with a question mark?
 She ended her remarks with a resounding why not?

? Question mark
A question mark is needed after a direct question. The question can be a short word or a
whole sentence.

Question marks end sentences that are questions.

Example Sentence

 Is this your assignment

! Exclamation mark or Sign

An exclamation mark is used after a strong interjection and after strong imperative
sentences which mark certain direct commands.

Exclamation marks end a sentence that is an exclamation.

Example Sentence

 Don't pick that!

“” Quotation or Speech Marks

Double quotation marks enclose quotations. It marks a direct speech. Quotation marks
enclose direct speech – it can be double or single. Quotation marks are used at the
beginning and end of a phrase to show that it is being written exactly as it was originally
said or written. Commas and periods are always placed immediately before the closing
quotation mark.

Example Sentence

 "How are you?", she asked me.

, Comma
A comma is used to organize thoughts into logical groups. It indicates a much shorter pause
than a full stop. It separates the different parts of a sentence or names in a list.

A comma places a pause between clauses within a sentence. It separates items in a list. It
separate adjectives in a series.

Example Sentences

 We were late, although it didn't matter.

 You will need eggs, butter, salt and cheese.
 I wore a red-colored, long and frilly skirt.

‘’ Single Quotation Mark

It completely encloses clauses inserted in a sentence. It marks speech from words denoting
who said that.

Example Sentences

 We were, though we had rushed to get there, late for the film. 'Thank you ,' I said.

- Hyphen
Hyphen connects elements of certain words.

Examples

 North-East
 Fair-weather friend
 X-factor

: Colon
Introduces lists (including examples). It introduces summaries, (direct) quotations, a second
clause that expands or illustrates the meaning of the first

Example Sentences

 We learned the following at the camp: rock-climbing, canoeing and rafting.

 During the salsa class we were told: dance salsa on any beat or across the beat.
 My instructor always says: "bend those knees."
 The snow hardened: it turned into ice.

; Semicolon
A semicolon represents a pause greater than a comma. Semicolon is used to separate the
independent clauses of a compound sentence. Such clauses are NOT joined by a
coordinating conjunction (and, but, or nor, for, so, yet).

In separating the two clauses of a compound sentence, the semicolon is slightly stronger
than a comma, but weaker than a period. Remember that the clause before the semicolon
and the clause after the semicolon should be complete on their own; we should be able to
replace the semicolon with a period and get two grammatically correct and complete
sentences.

Semicolon separates two closely linked clauses and shows that there is a link between them.
It separate items in a complex list.

Example Sentences

 On Tuesday, the tram was late; the bus was early.

 You can go by and aeroplane, train and a taxi; channel tunnel train, coach, then a
short walk; or aeroplane and car.

‘ Apostrophe of possession
Denotes the ownership of something

Example Sentences

 This is Betsy's scarf.

 These are Peter's books.
 'Apostrophe of Contraction

Shows the omission of a letter(s) when two (or occasionally more) words are contracted

Example Sentences
 Don't walk on the grass.
 She'd've told us. (Double contraction is used in spoken English only)

… Ellipsis
Ellipsis shows the omission of words. It also indicates a pause.

Example Sentences

 The teacher moaned, "Look at this floor … a mess… this class."

 Louis said: 'I think I locked the door… no, hang on … did I?

( ) Brackets
Brackets set apart a word or phrase added to a sentence to give some additional
information.

Example

 The necklace (which had been in my family for years) was stolen.

_ Dash
Indicates additional information, with more emphasis than a comma. It indicates a pause,
especially for effect at the end of a sentence. It contains extra information (used instead of
brackets).

Example Sentences

 She is an author – and a very good one too.

 We all know what to expect – the best.
 You solved that sum – and I don't know how – before anybody else.
Sources
Bennett R.coles, Cascadia Author Services.

Virtual Learning Academy.

Slide Share.net.

Ncert.nic.in.

JSS College of Arts.

Anna Maria Malkoc, Letter Writing in English.