Punctuation Marks
Punctuation is a system of symbols that are used to separate parts of sentences and written sentences for better clarification of the sentences. It uses conventional signs, spacing and some typographical devices to aid the understanding and correct reading of the written text. Now, each symbol is called “Punctuation Marks”.
In the English language, there are 14 punctuation marks:
- Period (.)
It is called the full stop and denotes the end of the sentence. A sentence is considered as a full sentence when it is complete and declarative. Periods are also used in some abbreviations such as titles or names such as Dr. and Mr.
- Question Mark (?)
It is also used at the end of the sentence to ask a direct question. The sentences that are questions usually begin with what, how, when, where e.t.c. Sometimes, it is also used to denote changing tone of the sentence like if saying something loud or taking note of.
- Exclamation Sign (!)
Also used the end of the sentence, is used to denote intense emotions in a sentence. The emotion can be anything such a disgust, excitement, blessing, joy, or anger. This sign is ba used to add emphasis to the sentence.
- Comma (,)
Commas are used to add a pause to the sentence. Now, this pause can be for different purposes such as to separate phrases, ideas or to alter the structure of the sentence. They can be used to separate two sentences, to address someone, to list various items.
- Colon(:)
A colon is primarily used in different ways such as to introduce something such as a quote, a series, an example e.t.c, or it is used to link two independent clauses when the second one s clarifying or completing the first one.
- Semicolon(;)
A semicolon has similar use as the colon but in this case, the clauses are more closely connected. Here both the clauses are independent enough to be separate sentences but are also closely connected.
- Dash(—)
Dash is used to denote ranges between numbers or dates.
- Hyphen(-)
It is different from the dash and is used to connect two or more words in compound sentences.
- Brackets [ ]
These square brackets are used to clarify something or for explanations or for technical terms. They can also be used to quote another text or person.
- Braces { }
These are rarely used in writing especially literature, as they are mostly used for mathematical terms or some kind of technical text.
- Parentheses()
These are used to further add on the details to different pieces of information. These can also be replaced by commas and the sentence will still have the meaning.
- Apostrophe(‘)
Apostrophes are used to show that a letter or some letters have been omitted such as I’ve and I’ll. It is also used to indicate contradictions or possessiveness.
- Quotation Marks(“”)
These are used to denote speech, words or text spoken by someone else. It is used to indicate dialogue too.
- Ellipsis(…)
It is three periods that are used together for representing the omission of letters or words. They are often used to jump from one phrase to another avoiding unwanted words.