Punctuation

Dr.Shobha
Assistant Professor
PG dept of English
JSSCACS
Punctuation

 There are 14 punctuation marks that are

commonly used in English grammar. They
are the period, question mark, exclamation
point, comma, semicolon, colon, dash,
hyphen, parentheses, brackets, braces,
apostrophe, quotation marks, and ellipsis.
Following their correct usage will make your
writing easier to read and more appealing.
 Punctuation is the name of the marks used
in writing. They are very essential signs to
understand a sentence in correct way. They
represent the expression and feeling in a
sentence. It is used to bring clarity and
meaning to writing. Punctuation marks are
symbols that help us to organize and
structure sentences. The term punctuation
is derived from a Latin term punctum. It
means the correct use of points or stops in
writing.
Use of Capital Letters

 A capital letter is used at the beginning of a sentence.

 Examples
 The bear in the zoo was a big one.
 Cycling is a good form of exercise.
 His favorite pastime is reading mystery stories.
 A capital letter is used with proper nouns.
 On Saturday morning we have Inter School Soccer Match.
 Roger is a good tennis player.
 Mother Teresa was born in Skopje, Macedonia on Monday,
August 27, 1910.
 A capital letter is used with adjectives that are derived from
proper nouns.
 Examples
 Most tombs of the Mughal era were inspired
by Persian architecture.
 We had dinner at a Chinese restaurant.
 David Copperfield is my favourite Dickensian character.
 The pronoun "I" is always written in capital.
 Example
 My parents say I spend too much time surfing the Internet. I
think it's a great way to gather information.
 In titles, the first letter of each main word is capitalized.
 Examples
 Buckingham palace is the home to the Queen of England.
 He has a degree in Nuclear Physics from Cambridge
University.
Capital letter
 Capital Letter
 Uses
 Starts a sentence
 Indicates proper noun
 Emphasizes certain words
 Example Sentences
 All I want is a pastry.
 You can call me Ronnie.
 I want it Today!
. Full Stop
 A full stop marks the end of a sentence. While reading a
sentence we need to pause after a full stop. Full stops end
sentences that are not questions or exclamations. A full stop
is used at the end of every telling sentence.
 Example Sentence
 This is an Elephant.
 Ann is an excellent teacher.
 Canada is fascinating country.
 A full stop is also used at the end of an abbreviated word or
between the letters of an abbreviated word. We DO NOT
use a full stop with abbreviations formed from the first
capital letters. For example: BBC, USA and MA
 Examples
 Co.
 etc.
 e.g.
 i.e.
 no.
 Use a period at the end of a command.
 Hand in the poster essays no later than noon on Friday.
 In case of tremors, leave the building immediately.
 Use a period at the end of an indirect question.
 The teacher asked why Maria had left out the easy exercises.
 My father used to wonder why Egbert's ears were so big.
 Use a period with abbreviations:
 Dr. Espinoza arrived from Washington, D.C., at 6 p.m.
 Notice that when the period ending the abbreviation comes at the
end of a sentence, it will also suffice to end the sentence. On the
other hand, when an abbreviation ends a question or exclamation,
it is appropriate to add a question mark or exclamation mark after
the abbreviation-ending period:
 Did you enjoy living in Washington, D.C.?
 Occasionally, a statement will end with a question. When that
happens, it is appropriate to end the sentence with a question
mark.
 We can get to Boston quicker, can't we, if we take the interstate?
 His question was, can we end this statement with a question mark?
 She ended her remarks with a resounding why not?
? Question Mark
 A question mark is needed after a direct question. The
question can be a short word or a whole sentence.
 Uses
 Question marks end sentences that are questions.
 Example Sentence
 Is this your assignment?
! Exclamation Mark or Sign

 An exclamation mark is used after a strong interjection and

after strong imperative sentences which mark certain direct
commands.
 Uses
 Exclamation marks end a sentence that is an
exclamation.
 Example Sentence
 Don't pick that!
" " Quotation or Speech Marks
 Double quotation marks enclose quotations. It marks a direct
speech.
 Uses
 Quotation marks enclose direct speech – it can be
double or single.
 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.
 Commas and periods are always placed immediately
before the closing quotation mark.
 Example Sentence
 "How are you?", she asked me.
, Comma

 A comma is used to organize thoughts into logical groups. It

indicates a much shorter pause than a full stop. It separates the
different parts of a sentence or names in a list.
 Uses
 A comma places a pause between clauses within a
sentence.
 It separates items in a list.
 It separate adjectives in a series.
 Example Sentences
 We were late, although it didn't matter.
 You will need eggs, butter, salt and cheese.
 I wore a red-coloured, long and frilly skirt.
' ' Single Quotation Marks

 Uses
 It completely encloses clauses inserted in a
sentence.
 Mark speech from words denoting who said that.
 Example Sentences
 We were , though we had rushed to get there, late
for the film.
'Thank you ,' I said.
– Hyphen

 Uses
 Hyphen connects elements of certain words.
 Examples
 North-East
 Fair-weather friend
 X-factor
: Colon

 Uses
 Introduces lists (including examples)
 Introduces summaries
 Introduces (direct) quotations
 Introduces a second clause that expands or illustrates the
meaning of the first
 Example Sentences
 We learned the following at the camp: rock-climbing,
canoeing and rafting.
 During the salsa class we were told: dance salsa on any beat or
across the beat.
 My instructor always says: "bend those knees."
 The snow hardened: it turned into ice.
; Semicolon

 A semicolon represents a pause greater than a comma.

Semicolon is used to separate the independent clauses of a
compound sentence. Such clauses are NOT joined by a
coordinating conjunction (and, but, or nor, for, so, yet).
 In separating the two clauses of a compound sentence, the
semicolon is slightly stronger than a comma, but weaker than
a period. Remember that the clause before the semicolon and
the clause after the semicolon should be complete on their
own; we should be able to replace the semicolon with a
period and get two grammatically correct and complete
sentences.
 Uses
 Semicolon separates two closely linked clauses and
shows that there is a link between them.
 It separate items in a complex list.
 Example Sentences
 On Tuesday, the tram was late; the bus was early.
 You can go by and aeroplane, train and a taxi;
channel tunnel train, coach, then a short walk; or
aeroplane and car.
' Apostrophe of Possession

 Uses
 Denotes the ownership of something
 Example Sentences
 This is Betsy's scarf.
 These are Peter's books.
 ' Apostrophe of Contraction
 Uses
 Shows the omission of a letter(s) when two (or occasionally
more) words are contracted
 Example Sentences
 Don't walk on the grass.
 She'd've told us. (double contraction is used in spoken
English only)
. . . Ellipsis

 Uses
 Ellipsis shows the omission of words.
 It also indicates a pause.
 Example Sentences
 The teacher moaned , "Look at this floor … a
mess… this class."
 Louis said: 'I think I locked the door… no, hang on
… did I?’
( ) Brackets

 Uses
 Brackets set apart a word or phrase added to a
sentence to give some additional information.
 Example
 The necklace (which had been in my family for
years) was stolen.
--- Dash

 Uses
 Indicates additional information, with more emphasis
than a comma.
 Indicates a pause, especially for effect at the end of a
sentence.
 Contains extra information (used instead of brackets).
 Example Sentences
 She is an author – and a very good one too.
 We all know what to expect – the best.
 You solved that sum – and I don't know how – before
anybody else.