Uses of Punctuation Marks By: Ayesha

Definition: Punctuation is the use of standard marks and signs in writing to separate words into sentences, clauses, and phrases in order to clarify meaning. The marks or signs are called punctuation marks. Punctuation marks are signals to readers.

Help in Speaking: you can pause, stop, or change your tone of voice. to make your meaning clear. you cannot do this when you write. When writing, punctuation marks such as commas and question marks to make your meaning clear.

Main types of punctuation marks End Punctuation: Periods, Question Marks, and Exclamation Points Commas Semicolons Colons Dashes Hyphens

Examples: I went to the store for groceries He asked where the milk was The full stop represents complete pause and end of thought That was a wonderful movie I think that Mr. Williams is a great teacher

Solution: I went to the store for groceries. He asked where the milk was. The full stop represents complete pause and end of thought. That was a wonderful movie. I think that Mr. Williams is a great teacher.

Period/ Full Stop (.) Use a period at the end of a declarative sentence (a sentence which states an idea). Use a period to end an abbreviation.

Examples: Will you come over after school Can you spot where we need full stops Are you going to lunch And if you help us should we not be thankful Did you like that movie the color scheme the actors the sets

Solution: Will you come over after school? Can you spot where we need full stops? Are you going to lunch? And if you help us, should we not be thankful? Did you like that movie? the color scheme? the actors? the sets?

Question Mark (?) Use a question mark at the end of an interrogative sentence (a sentence which asks a direct question). A series of questions, even when they are incomplete sentences.

Examples: She has two dogs three cats one bird and five fish in her house My history class meets each Monday Wednesday and Friday I am from East Lansing Michigan We wanted to go to the beach but it rained that day He was born on August 4th 1990 Certainly I have my homework right here My friend Jane who was born June 18 1992 lives in Akron Ohio She was a young beautiful dog

Solution: She has two dogs, three cats, one bird, and five fish in her house. My history class meets each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I am from East Lansing, Michigan. We wanted to go to the beach, but it rained that day. He was born on August 4th, 1990. Certainly, I have my homework right here. My friend Jane, who was born June 18, 1992, lives in Akron, Ohio.“ She was a young, beautiful dog.

Comma (,) Use a comma to separate three or more items in a series. Use a comma to separate a city from its state. Use a comma to separate independent clauses in a sentence. Use a comma after introductory words or phrases in a sentence. Comma (,)

Comma contd… Use a comma to set off dates and addresses. Use a comma to separate two adjectives. Describing words: when the word and can be inserted between them. In place of parenthetical expressions.

Examples: Happiness isn't something you experience it's something you remember Volleyball games resume on the sand flat someone fires up the sauna in the long dusk at eleven o'clock half a dozen beach fires people the shore Management is doing things right leadership is doing the right things I like pizza Carlos also likes pizza I planned to study Saturday morning however the power in our house went out due to a storm I have lived in Los Angeles California Boston Massachusetts Trenton New Jersey and Philadelphia Pennsylvania.

Solution: Happiness isn't something you experience; it's something you remember. Volleyball games resume on the sand flat; someone fires up the sauna, in the long dusk, at eleven o'clock, half a dozen beach fires people the shore. Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things. I like pizza; Carlos also likes pizza. "I planned to study Saturday morning; however, the power in our house went out due to a storm. "I have lived in Los Angeles, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Trenton, New Jersey; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.”

Semicolon (;) Use a semicolon when two independent clauses in a sentence are not separated by a conjunction (such as "and"). Use a semicolon between independent clauses in a sentence using transitional words or adverbial phrases: accordingly, consequently, for example, for instance, furthermore, however, instead, moreover, nevertheless, otherwise, and therefore. Use a semicolon when the items in a series of items contain commas.

Examples: I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one O Lord make my enemies ridiculous And God granted it There are three choices in this life be good get good or give up It is by the goodness of God that in our country we have those three unspeakably precious things freedom of speech freedom of conscience and the prudence never to practice either of them On our next vacation, we plan to visit the following countries England France Italy and Greece I have an appointment with the doctor at 10 30 tomorrow morning

Solution: "I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: 'O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous.' And God granted it.” "There are three choices in this life: be good, get good, or give up.” "It is by the goodness of God that in our country we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence never to practice either of them.” "On our next vacation, we plan to visit the following countries: England, France, Italy, and Greece.” "I have an appointment with the doctor at 10:30 tomorrow morning.”

Colon (:) Use a colon before a list that is preceded by a complete independent clause. If the second independent clause explains the first one. Use a colon to divide hours from minutes.

Examples: I am very upset with him I have to go home right now Wow That test was harder than I expected.

Solution: I am very upset with him! I have to go home right now! Wow! That test was harder than I expected.

Use an exclamation mark at the end of a sentence to show strong emotion. Use an exclamation mark at the end of a sentence for emphasis. Use an exclamation mark after an interjection at the start of a sentence (an interjection is a word used to express strong feeling or sudden emotion). Exclamation Mark

Examples: My cow turned out to be a very large one The first time I led her out I felt the way I did the first time I ever took a girl to the theater embarrassed but elated A hypocrite is a person who but who isn't A dash is a mark of separation stronger than a comma less formal than a colon and more relaxed than parentheses

Solution: My cow turned out to be a very large one. The first time I led her out I felt the way I did the first time I ever took a girl to the theater—embarrassed but elated. A hypocrite is a person who—but who isn't? A dash is a mark of separation -- stronger than a comma, less formal than a colon, and more relaxed than parentheses.

Dash A mark of punctuation (—), technically known as an em dash, used to set off a word or phrase after an independent clause or to set off words, phrases, or clauses that interrupt a sentence. Don't confuse the dash (—) with the hyphen (-).

Examples: I don't think she will win the election Please take good care of Brad's dog

Solutions: I don't think she will win the election. Please take good care of Brad's dog.

Apostrophe (') Use an apostrophe to indicate a missing letter or letters in a contraction. Use an apostrophe plus the letter "s" to show possession.

Examples: The hyphen is the most un American thing in the world. New truth is always a go between a smoother over of transitions. I'm part of the blame America last crowd.

Solution: The hyphen is the most un-American thing in the world. New truth is always a go-between, a smoother-over of transitions. I'm part of the blame-America-last crowd.

Hyphen A short horizontal mark of punctuation ( - ) used between the parts of a compound word or name or between the syllables of a word when divided at the end of a line. Don't confuse the hyphen (-) with the dash (—).