What Is Punctuation?
In order to be able to read or write a text correctly, we must use some signs and marks; We call this punctuation. Take a look at the following list to get a glimpse of some of the common punctuation marks in English:
Now, let us see how each functions in sentences:
Full Stop
When we want to finish a sentence, we use a full stop or a period (.). Take a look at the following examples:
Diana is dead.
Professor Brown is not going to attend the class today.
Warning!
Please note that the sentence that comes after this punctuation mark is always capitalized.
Apostrophe
An apostrophe (') is mainly used when we combine two words with each other, and when we want to show possessive nouns.. Study the following examples carefully:
Those are Velvet
Here, the apostrophe is used to show someone's belongings.
How could you steal Anna
What I want to do with my life isn
As you can see, 'is not' has been changed into one word.
Shouldn
Question and Exclamation Marks
When we want to ask a question, whether a yes/no or a 'yes/no, we must use a question mark (?) at the end of the sentence. Take a look at the following examples:
Are you going anywhere at this hour?
How is everything?
Another punctuation commonly used is the exclamation mark (!) that comes at the end of the sentences when we are showing emotions such as anger, surprise, etc. Study the following examples:
Such a pathetic person you are!
What a beautiful, blue sky!
Boy, have I gone mad!
Quotation Marks
When we want to deliver a direct speech or avoid repetition, we mainly use quotation marks (" "). Check out the following examples:
Mom said, "Clean your rooms."
Names of fathers | |
---|---|
Anna | Fredrick |
Mia | " |
Sarah | " |
Comma
Comma (,) is used in many different contexts. However, we are going to learn some of them below:
- In lists
- When we want to state dates
- After adverbs
- Between adjectives
World War I began on
As you can see, comma is used when stating dates.
I want to buy
Here, commas are used among items in a list.
Here, a comma is put immediately after an adverb.
Have you ever seen a
Here, commas are used between adjectives.