This document provides an overview of different punctuation marks used in the English language. It begins by defining punctuation and explaining why it is important for clarity and understanding. It then lists and describes the main types of punctuation marks, including periods, exclamation points, commas, semicolons, colons, ellipses, apostrophes, parentheses, brackets, braces, and dashes/hyphens. For each punctuation mark, examples are given of their proper uses in sentences. The document serves to introduce the basic rules and purposes of punctuation to readers.

1. PUNCTUATION
Heart of English Grammar

2. Content
 Introduction to punctuation
 Why do we need Punctuation?
 Types of Punctuation
 The period(.)
 Exclamation point (!)
 Comma(,)
 Semicolon(;)
 Colon(:)
 Ellipsis(...)
 Apostrophe (‘)
 Parenthesis()
 Brackets ([])
 Braces({})
 Dash & Hyphen (-)

3. Introduction to Punctuation
• Punctuation is used to help us make sense
of what we read. It can alter the meaning of
the sentences we write.
• Good Punctuation makes a sentence clear
and easy to read and understand because it
shows grammatical structure, meanings and
relationships between words and clauses.
• The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines
punctuation as “the act or practice of
inserting standardized marks or signs in
written matter to clarify the meaning and
separate structural units.

4. Why do we need Punctuation?
 A wrongly used punctuation or a missing
punctuation can change the entire meaning of a
sentence.
 Punctuation primarily helps to indicate the
pauses and the emphasis on certain ideas or
thoughts that are discussed in the text and also
as below:
 Punctuation Ensures Clarity Of Thoughts
 Punctuation Ensures Fluency
 Punctuation Enforces Grammatical Rules
 Punctuation Helps Us To Express Emotions
 Punctuation Is Important To Ensure
Sentence Flow
 Punctuation Conveys Tone Of Voice And
Voice Modification

5. Types of Punctuation
 We can break down the punctuation marks into five categories, as follows:
• Sentence endings: period, question mark, exclamation point
• Comma, colon, and semicolon
• Dash and hyphen
• Brackets, braces, and parentheses
• Apostrophe, quotation marks, and ellipsis

6. LET’S DIG DEEP
INTO
PUNCTUATION MARKS

7. The Period(.)
• The period is placed at the end of declaration of
any sentences.
• That simply means that whenever we are
complete with our words in a sentence, we apply a
period at the end to convey that the sentence is
over. So, they are the end of declarative
sentences which are thought to be complete.
Moreover, it is also used after abbreviations.
For example;
• She went to the mall.
• I saw Tony Jr. yesterday.

8. Exclamation Mark(!)
• The Exclamation Mark is used when a
person wants to express a sudden outcry or
add emphasis.
For Example:
• Within dialogue: “no way! "screamed rani
• Ouch! That hurt.
• She is making me angry!

9. Comma (,)
• This is a very common punctuation mark that people
often misuse because of its different functions.
• The primary aim of a comma is to separate ideas or
elements in a sentence and insert a pause between
them. However, commas can be used differently in a
different context, such as;
List items in a sentence:
• She bought a car, a house, and a huge truck.
To directly address someone:
• You are most welcome, Sarah.
Separate two clauses:
• I was sleeping, and then he rang the doorbell.

10. Semi Colon (;)
 This is very similar to the colon. It is also
used to connect two clauses that are
independent. But here, the clauses have
a closer relation than when we use a
colon.
For Example:
 I have school tomorrow; I can’t attend the
party.
 Ravi was hurt ; he knew she only said it
to upset him.

11. Colon (:)
 Colon has three main uses.
 The first is after a word introduction a
quotation, an explanation, an example, or a
series
 The second is between independent clauses
when the second explain the first , like a
semicolon.
For Example:
To introduce an example, series, or quotation:
 She bought three items: mango, book, and
pencil.
To lay strong emphasis:
 He hated one thing the most: his brother.

12. Ellipsis (…)
 The ellipsis is used in writing or printing
to indicate an omission especially of
letters or word
 Students writing research papers or
newspapers quoting parts of speeches
will often employ ellipsis to avoid copying
lengthy text that is not needed.
For Example:
 He counted, “ten, nine, eight…” and
turned around.

13. Apostrophe (‘)
 An apostrophe is used to indicate the
omission of a letter or letters from a word
the possessive case or the plurals Of
lowercase letters .
For Example;
 I’ve been sleeping all day.
 Sia’s cat is so rude.
 All I can do is the i’s and the t’s.

14. Parenthesis (())
 Parenthesis are curved notations used
to contain further thoughts or qualifying
remarks.
 However , parenthesis can be replaced
commas without changing the meaning
most cases.
For Example:
 John (who failed last semester) is now
leaving school.

15. Brackets ([])
 Brackets are the squared off notations
([]) used for technical explanation or to
clarify meaning .
 If you remove the information in the
brackets, the sentence will still make
sense.
For Example;
 He [Mr. Singh] was there at the party.

16. Braces ({})
 Braces ({}) are used to contain two or more lines of text
or listed items to shows that they are considered as a unit.
 They are not commonplace in most writing but can be
seen in computer programming to show what should be
contained within the same lines.
 Braces are most commonly used in mathematical or
computer programs.
For Example;
• 2{4x-[2+5]}= xy

17. Dash & Hyphen ( - )
Dash
 There are two types of the dash. One
is the En dash (-), a little shorter. It is
used to denote a range between
numbers or any connection or
difference.
• From 1990-1994
 The second is the Em dash (—), a bit
longer. It is used to replace commas,
colons, etc., to emphasize a
conclusion.
• They gave the right decision — Yes!
Hyphen
 Hyphen is used between two words to
form a compound word. Here there is no
gap between the words and the hyphen.
• Mother-in-law
• Part-time

18. THANK YOU