Before we take each punctuation mark in detail, let us go through them one by one and note their basic uses. We will also include examples and brief explanations.
1. Period (.)
- Ends a declarative sentence.
Example: He went home early.
- Ends an indirect question.
Example: She asked where I was going.
- Appears in many abbreviations.
Example: Dr., etc., a.m., p.m.
- Appears in ellipsis constructions at the end of a sentence.
Example: I was going to explain....
2. Question Mark (?)
- Ends a direct question.
Example: What is your name?
- Can be used in rhetorical questions.
Example: Who can understand everything perfectly?
- Should not be used with indirect questions.
Example: I wondered what her name was.
3. Exclamation Point (!)
- Shows strong emotion or urgency.
Example: Stop!
- May end an exclamatory sentence.
Example: What a wonderful gift!
- Should be used sparingly in formal writing.
4. Comma (,)
- Separates items in a list.
Example: I bought apples, oranges, mangoes, and grapes.
- Comes before conjunctions joining two independent clauses.
Example: He studied hard, and he passed.
- Follows introductory words or phrases.
Example: After the meeting, we had lunch.
- Sets off nonessential information.
Example: My teacher, who grew up in Baguio, loves cool weather.
- Used in numbers, addresses, and dates.
Example: 1,000 / San Diego, California / May 15, 2025
5. Semicolon (;)
- Links two related independent clauses.
Example: I like coffee; she prefers tea.
- Separates items in a complex list.
Example: We visited Manila, Philippines; Jakarta, Indonesia; and Bangkok, Thailand.
-------- |
6. Colon (:)
- Introduces a list or explanation.
Example: She brought three things: a Bible, a pen, and a journal.
- Introduces a quotation or definition.
Example: He answered: “I do not know.”
- Separates hours and minutes in time.
Example: 4:30 p.m.
7. Quotation Marks (“ ”)
- Enclose direct speech or quotations.
Example: She said, “I am ready.”
- May enclose titles of short works (articles, poems).
Example: I read “The Road Not Taken.”
- Punctuation placement depends on national style (U.S. vs U.K. rules).
American vs. British Quotation
8. Apostrophe (’)
- Shows possession.
Example: That is Anna’s notebook.
- Forms contractions.
Example: It’s raining. (It is)
- Can indicate omitted letters or numbers.
Example: Class of ’98
9. Hyphen (-)
- Joins compound words.
Example: Part-time job
- Connects prefixes to words.
Example: re-enter
- Avoids confusion or awkward spellings.
Example: shell-like structure
10. Dash (—) (em dash)
- Inserts a break in thought.
Example: I was going to say—never mind.
- Emphasizes additional or surprising information.
Example: Everything—the food, the view—was perfect.
11. Parentheses ( )
- Add nonessential or background information.
Example: She finally answered (after ten minutes of silence).
- Clarify or add translations.
Example: The meeting is at alas-diyes (ten o’clock).
12. Brackets [ ]
- Add explanatory or missing information inside a quotation.
Example: “They [the leaders] agreed to meet again.”
- Used in technical writing for nested information or references.
13. Ellipsis (...)
- Shows that something has been left out.
Example: “I will... try,” he said.
- Indicates a pause or unfinished thought.
Example: I was thinking... maybe not.
14. Slash (/)
- Shows alternatives.
Example: Please write yes/no.
- Used in certain abbreviations and web addresses.
Example: wpm/ppm, https://example.com
This list gives us a full view of the punctuation marks we will explore. Each one has more to offer than it may first appear. In the next entry, we will begin with the period and study all its uses more carefully.
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