Punctuation
Punctuation is the use of conventional characters (e.g., commas,
semicolons) to improve clarity. In general, punctuation aids
comprehension by showing a reader which words are grouped
and where to pause.
The Main Punctuation Marks
Here are the main punctuation marks in English grammar:
apostrophes (')
parentheses (round) ( ( ) )
parentheses (square) ( [ ] )
colons (:)
commas (,)
dashes (–, —)
ellipsis (...)
exclamation mark (!)
hyphen (-)
periods (full stops) (.)
question marks (?)
quotation marks("")
semicolons (;)
Punctuation Use and Examples
Below is a handy summary of how each of the main punctuation
marks is used. There are easy examples as well as links to pages
offering more detail and more examples.
Apostrophes
Apostrophes are used:
1. To show possession
one dog's kennel, two dogs' kennel
2. In time expressions
a day's holiday, two weeks' pay
3. In contractions
can't, don't, isn't
Apostrophes are NOT used:
1. To show plurals
three dog's , two patio's
2. Randomly before the letter s
She like's cakes.
Colons
Colons are used:
1. To extend a sentence to expand on something previously
mentioned in the sentence
I need just one personal trait: loyalty.
2. After an introduction
I've seen the following: rust, slime, and a rat.
3. In references, times, and titles
Read Genesis 1:1 before 09:00.
4. With quotations
He said: "Laugh at yourself first, before anyone else
can."
Commas
A comma is used:
1. After setting the scene at the start of a sentence
Now she is wiser, she understands.
2. After transitional phrases like However, Consequently, or As a
result
However, I now agree with you.
3. After an interjection
Crikey, it's true!
4. Before a conjunction joining two independent clauses
She likes pies, and she likes cakes.
5. As parentheses
Peter and John, who live next door, love my pies.
6. To separate list items
bread, honey, and jam
7. After a long subject if it helps the reader
A, B, C, and D, are essential qualifications.
8. In numbers
2,515
9. With the vocative case
I know your uncle, Sarah.
10. Before a quotation
She whispered, "I know."
Read more about using commas.
Hyphens
Hyphens are joiners. They are used:
1. To join the words in a compound adjective
seven-foot table, silver-service banquet
2. To join the words in compound nouns
paper-clip, cooking-oil
3. To join prefixes to words
ultra-expensive, re-establish
Their main purpose is to show the joined words are a single entity
(e.g., a single adjective or a single noun). They are also useful to
avoid ambiguity (e.g., a hyphen makes it clear that a paper-clip is
a clip for paper and not a clip made of paper).
Parentheses (Round Brackets)
Round parentheses (round brackets) are used:
1. To insert extra information (often an afterthought, clarification,
or expansion of a recently mentioned idea)
Set in the 17th century, The Three Musketeers ("Les
Trois Mousquetaires" in French) is a novel by Alexandre
Dumas.
2. To present a plural option with a singular one
Your guest(s) must leave before midnight.
Read more about using round parentheses.
Square Brackets
Square parentheses (square brackets) are used:
1. To make quoted text clearer by expanding on or replacing part
of the quote.
If you don't like them [my principles], well, I have others.
2. To make it clear that terms like [sic] and [...] are insertions by
the current author not the originator.
In your statement, you wrote: "I appraised [sic] him of the
situation at about 4 o'clock."
Period (Full Stop)
A period (.) (or full stop in the UK) is a punctuation mark used:
1. At the end of a declarative sentence
I eat pies.
2. At the end of an imperative sentence (which is not forceful
enough for an exclamation mark)
Please use the bathroom upstairs.
3. In an abbreviation (including initialisms and contractions)
B.B.C., Prof.
Read more about periods (full stops).
Semicolons
Semicolons are used:
1. In lists when the list items contain commas
Peter, the officer in charge; Colin, the chef; and Heidi,
my dog
2. To create a smoother transition between sentences,
particularly when the second starts with a phrase
like however or as a result
It was freezing; however, we still enjoyed it.
3. Before a conjunction which merges two sentences containing
commas
Yesterday, it was, to our surprise, sunny; but today, as
expected, it's dull.
Semicolons are not used for introductions (e.g., I would blame
one thing for my divorce; beer. It should be a colon.)
Quotation Marks
Quotation marks (or speech marks as they're also called) are
used:
1. To show the exact words spoken or written
Reagan said: "You can tell a lot about a fellow's
character by his way of eating jellybeans."
2. For the names of things like ships, books, and plays
I was certain the "Spruce Goose" was too heavy to fly.
3. To express the idea of alleged or so-called
(During the speech, his "mates" slipped out the side door.
Read more about using quotation marks.