PUNCTUATION
MARKS
DEFINITION
• 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.
•etc.
•Co.
•e.g.Source: theidioms.com
•etc.Source: theidioms.com
FULL STOP
• A full stop marks the end of a sentence.
While reading a sentence we need to
pause after a full stop.
• A full stop is also used at the end of an
abbreviated word or between the letters
of an abbreviated word.
• Canada is fascinating country.
• Со. , ect.
QUESTION MARK
• A question mark is needed after a direct
question.
• Is this your book?
EXCLAMATION MARK OR SIGN
• Don't pick that! • An exclamation mark is used after a
strong interjection and after strong
imperative sentences which mark certain
direct commands.
QUOTATION OR SPEECH MARKS
• "How are you?", she asked me. • Commas and periods are always placed
immediately before the closing quotation
mark
• 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
• Quotation marks enclose direct speech – it
can be double or single.
COMMA
• A comma places a pause between clauses • We were late, although it didn't
within a sentence. matter.
• It separates items in a list. • You will need eggs, butter, salt and
• It separate adjectives in a series. cheese.
• Defining relative clauses • I wore a red-coloured, long and frilly
skirt.
• Mary’s new job, which she is enjoying
a lot, takes much time.
HYPHEN
• Hyphen connects elements of certain • North-East
words. • X-factor
COLON
• Introduces lists (including examples) • We learned the following at the camp:
• Introduces summaries rock-climbing, canoeing and rafting.
• Introduces (direct) quotations • During the salsa class we were told:
dance salsa on any beat or across the
• Introduces a second clause that expands
beat.
or illustrates the meaning of the first
• My instructor always says: "bend
those knees."
• The snow hardened: it turned into ice.
SEMICOLON
• A semicolon represents a pause greater • On Tuesday, the tram was late; the bus
than a comma. Semicolon is used to was early.
separate the independent clauses of a • You can go by and aeroplane, train
compound sentence. Such clauses are
and a taxi; channel tunnel train,
NOT joined by a coordinating
coach, then a short walk; or aeroplane
conjunction (and, but, or nor, for, so,
and car.
yet).
• It separate items in a complex list.
APOSTROPHE
• Denotes the ownership of something • This is Betsy’s scarf.
• Shows the omission of a letter(s) when • Don't walk on the grass.
two (or occasionally more) words are
ELLIPSIS
• The teacher moaned , "Look at • Ellipsis shows the omission of words.
this floor … a mess… this class.
• It also indicates a pause.
• Louis said: 'I think I locked the
door… no, hang on … did I?'
BRACKETS
• Brackets set apart a word or phrase • The necklace (which had been in my
added to a sentence to give some family for years) was stolen.
additional information.
DASH
• Indicates additional information, with • She is an author – and a very good one
more emphasis than a comma. too.
• Indicates a pause, especially for effect at • We all know what to expect – the best.
the end of a sentence.
SLASH
• "he/she" • Connecting alternatives
• "Hemingway/Faulkner generation" • Connecting non-contrasting items
