LoginPunctuation For Intermediate learners
In this lesson you will learn about punctuation, such as quotation marks and colons, to make writing clearer. Practice with examples and exercises.
What Is Punctuation?
Punctuation is the use of standardized marks and symbols in writing to make the meaning of the sentence clearer. Punctuation marks serve different purposes, such as indicating the end of a sentence, separating words and phrases, indicating pauses, etc.
Common Punctuation Marks
The following is a list of common punctuation marks in English:
Now, let us see how each of them functions in sentences.
Full Stop
When we want to finish a sentence, we use a full stop, also called 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 a full stop is always capitalized.
Apostrophe
An apostrophe (') is mainly used when we combine two words with each other to create a contracted form, and when we want to form possessive nouns. Study the following examples carefully:
Those are Velvet's clothes.
Here, the apostrophe is used to show possession of something.
How could you steal Anna's bag?
What I want to do with my life isn't your business.
As you can see, 'is not' has been changed into one word.
Shouldn't she be doing her homework now?
Question and Exclamation Marks
When we want to ask a question, 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 to show strong 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 report 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 discuss some of them below:
World War I began on July 28th, 1914.
As you can see, comma is used when stating dates.
I want to buy lemon, apricot, apple, and banana from the market.
Here, commas are used among items in a list.
Technically, I do everything on my own.
Here, a comma is put immediately after an adverb.
Have you ever seen such a tall, handsome, yet arrogant man like him?
Here, commas are used between adjectives.
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