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Punctuation: A Guide To English Punctuation

This document provides a guide to basic English punctuation marks, including periods, commas, question marks, exclamation points, colons, semicolons, and coordinating/subordinate conjunctions. It explains the general uses of each punctuation mark and provides examples of proper punctuation.

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Brittany Gray
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61 views19 pages

Punctuation: A Guide To English Punctuation

This document provides a guide to basic English punctuation marks, including periods, commas, question marks, exclamation points, colons, semicolons, and coordinating/subordinate conjunctions. It explains the general uses of each punctuation mark and provides examples of proper punctuation.

Uploaded by

Brittany Gray
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PUNCTUATION
A GUIDE TO ENGLISH PUNCTUATION
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PUNCTUATION MARKS

Punctuation is used to mark the cadence, pauses, and tone in written English. In
other words, punctuation helps us to understand when to pause between fully
formed ideas when speaking, as well as organize our thoughts in writing. English
punctuation marks include:

 period .

 commas ,

 question mark ?

 exclamation mark !

 colon :

 semi colon ;
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PERIOD/FULL STOP

Use a period to end a complete sentence. A sentence is a group of words


containing a subject and predicate. In
British English a period is called a 'full stop'.

 Examples:

 He went to Detroit last week.

 They are going to visit.


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Commas

There are a number of different uses for commas in English.

Commas are used to:

 Separate a list of items. This is one of the most common uses of a comma. Notice that
a comma is included before the conjunction 'and' which comes before the final
element of a list.

Examples:I like reading, listening to music, taking long walks, and visiting with my
friends.They would like books, magazines, DVDs, video cassettes, and other learning
materials for their library.

 Separate phrases (clauses). This is especially true after a beginning


dependent clause or a long prepositional phrase.

Examples:In order to qualify for your certificate, you will need to take the TOEFL
exam.Although he wanted to come, he wasn't able to attend the course.
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 Separate two independent clauses that are connected by a conjunction such as 'but’.
Examples:
They wanted to purchase a new car, but their financial situation would not allow it.
I'd really enjoy seeing a film this evening, and I'd like to go out for a drink.
 Introduce a direct quote (as opposed toindirect
speech i.e. He said he wanted to come ...).
Examples:The boy said, "My father is often away during the week on business trips."
His doctor replied, "If you don't stop smoking, you run the risk of a heart attack.”
 Separate appositives (a noun, or noun phrase) or non-defining relative clauses.
Examples:Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, comes from Seattle.
My only sister, who is a fantastic tennis player, is in great shape.
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Question mark

The question mark is used at the end of a question.

Examples:

 Where do you live?

 How long have they been studying?


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Exclamation Point

The exclamation point is used at the end of a sentence to indicate great


surprise. It is also used for emphasis when
making a point. Be careful not to use an exclamation point too often.

Examples:

 That ride was fantastic!

 I can't believe he is going to marry her!


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Semicolon
There are two uses for a semicolon:

 To separate two independent clauses. One or both of the clauses are short
and the ideas expressed are usually very similar.

Examples:He loves studying; He can't get enough of school.What an


incredible situation; it must make you nervous.

 To separate groups of words that are themselves separated by commas.

Examples:I took a holiday and played golf, which I love; read a lot, which I
needed to do; and slept late, which I hadn't done for quite a while.They
plan to study German, for their travels; chemistry, for their work; and
literature, for their own enjoyment.
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Colon

A colon can be used for two purposes:

 To provide additional details and explanation.

Examples:He had many reasons for joining the club: to get in shape, to make new
friends, to lose some weight, and to get out of the house.She gave notice for the
following reasons: bad pay, horrible hours, poor relations with colleagues, and
her boss.

 To introduce a direct quote (a comma can also be used in this situation).

Examples:He announced to his friends: "I'm getting married!"She cried out: "I
never want to see you again!”

From http://esl.about.com/od/englishgrammar/a/Comma-Use-For-English-
Learners.htm
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Coordinating Conjuctions

Click here for an explanation

And, but, for, nor, or, so, and yet—these are the seven coordinating conjunctions. To
remember all seven, you might want to learn one of these acronyms: FANBOYS,
YAFNOBS, or FONYBAS.

 Rocky, my orange tomcat, loves having his head scratched but hates getting his claws
trimmed.

 Rocky terrorizes the poodles next door yet adores the German shepherd across the street.

 Rocky refuses to eat dry cat food, nor will he touch a saucer of squid eyeball stew.

 I hate to waste a single drop of squid eyeball stew, for it is expensive and time-consuming
to make.

 Even though I added cream to the squid eyeball stew, Rocky ignored his serving, so I got
a spoon and ate it myself.
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The Subordinate Conjuction
 The subordinate conjunction has two jobs. First, it provides a
necessary transition between the two ideas in the sentence. This
transition will indicate a time, place, or cause and effect relationship.

Here are some examples:


Louisa will wash the sink full of her dirty dishes once her roommate
Shane cleans his stubble and globs of shaving cream from the bathroom
sink.
We looked on top of the refrigerator, where Jenny will often hide a bag
of chocolate chip cookies.
Because her teeth were chattering in fear, Lynda clenched her jaw
muscle while waiting for her turn to audition.
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The Subordinate Conjuction

 The second job of the subordinate conjunction is to reduce the importance


of one clause so that a reader understands which of the two ideas is more
important. The more important idea belongs in the main clause, the less
important in the clause introduced by the subordinate conjunction.

Read these examples:


As Samson blew out the birthday candles atop the cake, he burned the tip
of his nose on a stubborn flame.
Burning his nose > blowing out candles.
Ronnie begins to sneeze violently whenever he opens the door to greet a
fresh spring day.
Sneezing violently > opening the door.
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Subordinate Conjunction
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PUNCTUATION WITH ‘THEREFORE’,
‘FURTHERMORE’ AND ‘HOWEVER’
 Reader’s question: I would like to know the appropriate punctuation when using the words however,
therefore, furthermore.

Answer: My guidelines for words such as however, therefore and furthermore (adverbial conjuncts)
are as follows.

If you use these words at the beginning of a sentence, put a comma after them.
… However, we intend following up shortly.

Some modern writers are now dropping the comma, but I still like it because I think it indicates a
pause.

 Use a semicolon and comma with these words to introduce a new independent clause in the middle
of a sentence.

We plan to stay for another year; however, Peter is leaving now.


 When you use however, furthermore or therefore as intensifiers or for emphasis, you need commas
around both sides of them.
We, however, do not agree with the verdict.
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