Punctuation
Punctuation is using special signs, and certain typographical devices to help the understanding and correct reading of written texts.
What Is Punctuation?
Punctuation is the use of conventional signs to understand and read a text correctly. Notice that there is no space before punctuation marks in the English language.
Here is a list of all punctuation signs:
1. Full Stop
Full stop or period (.) is a ponctuation sign that is used at the end of a statement or an abbreviation. Notice that the first letter after the full stop must be capitalized.
Look at the example:
I know you well.
She understood what you have said.
Mr.
Some abbreviations take the full stop.
2. Question Mark & Exclamation Mark
Question mark (?) is used at the end of a direct question whether it starts with a wh-word or not. The direct question is a statement that asks a question directly from the addressee. For example:
Are you ok?
An exclamation mark (!) is used in at the end of a sentence expressing strong emotions such as anger, surprise, joy, etc. Notice that what and how can be used at the beginning of a sentence to make an exclamatory phrase.
Oh non! I can't believe it!
The speaker maybe has confronted a strange thing.
3. Comma
Comma (,) is used to separate words, phrases, or clauses. Here, we will mention only a few of its uses:
- Comma is used to tell the date, numbers;
- Comma is used after adverbs;
- Comma is used in direct speeches;
- Comma is used in lists;
- Comma is used to group adjectives.
3,000,000
numbers
April the first, 1999,
date
Usually, I go to school.
after adverbs
He said, "I am not going to do that."
in direct speeches
I have bought some rice, milk, bananas.
in lists
There was a big, fascinating, marvelous wedding there.
to group adjectives
4. Colons & Semicolons
Colons (:) are used to introduce a phrase or a sentence that is related to the precedent sentence. Colons are used to introduce a list, a dialogue, a title or to put an emphasis.
What we need for the cake is: butter, flour, water, etc.
introducing a list
She played: 3GA.
introducing a title
What I wanted was: the university.
put an emphasis
Semicolons (;) are used to establish a relationship between two sentences. Semicolons are used to join two independent clauses or they are used
1. before conjunctive adverbs, like however, thereafter, therefor, etc.
2. before coordinating conjunctions like but, or, and.
We couldn't go;
conjunctive adverbs
We were looking for what they called us for;
coordinating conjunctions
5. Quotation Mark
Quotation marks ('') are used when there is a direct speech. They are also used to avoid repetition in a list.
✓ She asked," Who is the lead actor."
direct speech
Here is another example:
| names of fathers | |
|---|---|
| Steve | Max |
| Rhone | '' |
| Mia | '' |
When we want to put emphasis on a word or phrase in a sentence, we use single quotation marks. For example:
This is a sentence where 'adverb' plays the central role.
6. Hyphens & Dashes
Hyphens (–) are used in three cases:
- to join some prefixes to the other words:
mini-syllable - to make compound nouns like:
Passer-by ,comedy-ballet - to form compound adjectives, like:
six-feet girl ,born-again baby
Dashes (_) are used to introduce a non-restrictive clause, a clause standing in the middle of another sentence.
The man
Notice that there is
We can also use dashes when repeating an emphatic part or phrase in a sentence. In this case, we can use a dash at the beginning of the emphatic part. Check out these examples:
The beautiful sky—the clear blue sky—was her dream.
Notice that there is
Non-restrictive Clauses with Comma or Dashes
Non-restrictive structures introduced by commas,
7. Brackets, Braces, & Parentheses
There are four types of brackets:
- square brackets [ ]
- curly brackets { } or braces
- angle brackets < >
- round brackets that are also called parentheses ( )
Square brackets are use to give Information, comments, or definition in a sentence:
They said the
Information
We need a doctor
comments
The indolent
definition
Braces are usually used in mathematical, chemical, and statistical equations.
2{1 + [32 + 3]}
Round brackets or parentheses are used in two cases:
1. Giving Information
2. Setting off Numbers and Letters
The doctors did what was possible (they couldn't do more).
Giving Information
Remember to take: (1) pen (2) ruler (3) hair brush.
Three items are needed: pen, ruler, hair brush
8. Apostrophe
Apostrophe (') is used in two cases:
1.
2.
Isn
missing letters
Sarah
possessive nouns
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