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Punctuation Marks in English Rules and Examples Punctuation marks are an important part of English grammar and writing.
Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice ll English !enses
"hat are punctuation marks#
A punctuation mark is a mark (sign) used in writing to divide texts into phrases phrases and and sentences. sentences. Some common punctuation marks are$
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period (full stop) ( . )
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comma ( , )
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question mark ( ? )
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exclamation mark ( )
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colon ( ! )
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semicolon ( " )
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single quotation marks ( # # )
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dou$le quotation marks ( % % )
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parentheses ( ), $rackets & ' and $races
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h*phen ( ‐ )
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en dash (+)
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em dash ( )
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ellipsis (. . . )
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apostrophe ( # )
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slash ( - )
Some additional punctuation marks are$ •
ampersand ( )
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asterisk ( / )
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at sign ( 0 )
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$ullet ( 1 )
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degree s*m$ol ( 2 )
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num$er sign ( 3 )
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percent sign ( 4 )
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underscore s*m$ol ( 5 )
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cop*right s*m$ol ( 6 )
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registered trademark s*m$ol ( 7 )
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trademark s*m$ol ( 8 )
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dollar sign ( 9 )
English punctuation rules :lick on the individual punctuation marks for more information and examples.
!o end a sentence •
period (full stop) ( . )
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question mark ( ? )
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exclamation mark ( )
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ellipsis (. . .)
!o separate phrases or items •
comma ( , )
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semicolon ( " )
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colon ( ! )
!o begin a list
!o %uote or indicate a title •
single quotation marks ( # # )
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dou$le quotation marks ( % % )
!o indicate extra information •
parentheses ( ), $rackets & ' and $races
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em dash ( )
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slash ( - )
!o sho& alternati'es
Read also
:olon vs ;emicolon :omma ;plices arks in English
"hy is punctuation important# =hen we speak, we can pause or emphasie certain words and phrases to help people understand what we are sa*ing.
End Punctuation End Punctuation is the most common punctuation in the English language. @ou must use end punctuation at the end of ever* sentence to avoid confusion. he three most common wa*s to end a sentence are
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period ( ) * he elephant is $ig.
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%uestion mark ( # * =here is the man?
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exclamation mark ( + * he huge elephant sat on the man
End punctuation tells the reader where each sentence ends.
Do *ou like to sing >* mom and < sing in a choir that meets ever* uesda* ast week we sang :hristmas carols at a nursing home he residents of the nursing home enBo*ed our visit * mom and < sing in a choir that meets ever* uesda*. ast week, we sang :hristmas carols at a nursing home. he residents o f the nursing home enBo*ed our visit
ncorrect uses of end punctuation Gsing the wrong end punctuation can cause confusion for the reader. Consider these three sentences$ ) Richard &ants to marry Rose) .) Richard &ants to marry Rose+ /) Richard &ants to marry Rose# he words of each sentence are the same, $ut the end punctuation greatl* changes the meaning! ) Richard &ants to marry Rose) H* using a period, the writer is simpl* stating a fact. he writer does not show an* feelings a$out the situation.
.) Richard &ants to marry Rose+ =ith an exclamation mark, the writer shows emotion a$out the situation. he writer is pro$a$l*excited. /) Richard &ants to marry Rose# H* using a question mark, the writer has turned the sentence into a question. he writer seems surprised and is asking for clarification.
Commas :ommas are another ver* important t*pe of punctuation. :ommas tell the reader where to pause. :ommas also separate phrases, ideas, and items in a list. :ommas help avoid confusion.
* 0sing commas in lists$ Here is a list &ithout commas$ Sally likes to eat chocolate hot dogs and broccoli)
=ithout commas, it sounds like ;all* likes to eat hot dogs and $roccolicovered in chocolate @uck Here is the same list &ith commas$
Sally likes to eat chocolate, hot dogs, and broccoli) Fow, we see that ;all* actuall* likes three foods! I. chocolate J. hot dogs K. $roccoli
1* Commas for phrasing Lere is another funn* example!
) t is time to eat 2a'id+ .) t is time to eat, 2a'id+ I.
3uotation marks Muotation marks are another common punctuation mark in the English language. Muotation marks are used with commas to inform the reader that someone is talking or $eing quoted. Example$ 4Punctuation is important,4 my teacher said) 4"ithout punctuation marks, your &riting &ould be 'ery confusing)4 =ithout quotation marks and commas, it would $e difficult to understand what the character is sa*ing. Punctuation is important my teacher said &ithout punctuation marks your &riting &ould be 'ery confusing Muotation marks are also ver* important when *ou are quoting words someone has alread* said.
Example$ Maya ngelo said, 4f you don5t like something, change it) f you can5t change it, change your attitude)4 >a*a Angelo is a famous author and poet. =hen < am quoting her, < show her exact words $* enclosing them in quotation marks. H* using quotation marks, < am giving her credit for her words.
postrophes Apostrophes are another commonl* misused form of punctuation. Apostrophes are used to show ownership and missing letters in contractions. >isplaced apostrophes can cause confusion for readers. Example$ it#s N it is its N ownership •
Correct$
he dog sleeps in its house. he house belongs to the dog. •
ncorrect$
he dog sleeps in it5s house. his does not make sense $ecause we would not sa*, %he dog sleeps in it is house.%
Example$ $o*#s N ownership $o*s N more than one $o*
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Correct$ he boy5s room is painted $lue. he $lue room belongs to the boy.
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ncorrect$ he boys room is painted $lue.
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Correct$ he boys are sleeping in the tent. here is more than one boy sleeping in the tent.
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ncorrect$ he boy5s are sleeping in the tent. he apostrophe is not needed in this sentence $ecause we are not showing ownership.
final note about punctuation hese were Bust a few examples of the importance of using punctuation in our writing.
hese were examples of the importance of punctuation. Fow that *ou know them, it is time to practice Oead and do exercises.
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