What are punctuation marks?
A
punctuation mark is a mark (sign) used in writing to divide texts into phrases
and sentences.
Why is punctuation important?
When
we speak, we can pause or emphasize certain words and phrases to help people
understand what we are saying.
In
our writing, we use punctuation to show pauses and emphasis. Punctuation marks
help the reader understand what we mean.
A
punctuation mark is a mark, or sign, used in writing to divide texts into
phrases and sentences and make the meaning clear.
In
this lesson, we will look at some common punctuation marks and mistakes. You
will see examples of what happens if you omit or misuse some common punctuation
marks.
Punctuation Mark
|
Symbol
|
Definition
|
Examples
|
apostrophe
|
'
|
An apostrophe is used as a substitute for a
missing letter or letters in a word (as in the contraction cannot = can't), to show the
possessive case (Jane's room), and in the plural of letters, some numbers and
abbreviations. Note: groups of years no longer require an apostrophe (for
example, the 1950s or the 90s).
|
I can't see the cat's tail.
Dot your i's and cross your t's. 100's of years. |
colon
|
:
|
A colon is used before a list or quote.
A colon is used to separate hours and minutes.
A colon is used to separate elements of a mathematical ratio.
|
There are many punctuation marks: period, comma, colon, and others.
The time is 2:15.
The ratio of girls to boys is 3:2.
|
comma
|
,
|
A comma is used to separate phrases or
items in a list.
|
She bought milk, eggs, and bread.
|
dash
|
—
|
A dash is used to separate parts of a sentence.
|
The dash is also known as an "em dash" because it is the
length of a printed letter m — it is longer than a hyphen.
|
ellipsis
|
...
|
An ellipsis (three dots) indicates that
part of the text has been intentionally been left out.
|
0, 2, 4, ... , 100
|
exclamation point
|
!
|
An exclamation point is used to show excitement or emphasis.
|
It is cold!
|
hyphen
|
-
|
A hyphen is used between parts of a
compound word or name. It is also used to split a word by syllables to fit on
a line of text.
|
The sixteen-year-old girl is a full-time
student.
|
parentheses
|
( )
|
Parentheses are curved lines used to separate explanations or
qualifying statements within a sentence (each one of the curved lines is
called a parenthesis). The part in the parentheses is called a parenthetical
remark.
|
This sentence (like others on this page) contains a parenthetical
remark.
|
period
|
.
|
A period is used to note the end of a
declarative sentence.
|
I see the house.
|
question mark
|
?
|
A question mark is used at the end of a question.
|
When are we
going?
|
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.
|
She said, "Let's eat."
|
semicolon
|
;
|
A semicolon separates two independent clauses in a compound sentence.
A semicolon is also used to separate items in a series (where commas
are already in use).
|
Class was canceled today; Mr. Smith was home sick.
Relatives at the reunion included my older brother, Bob; my cousin,
Art; and my great-aunt, Mattie.
|