The document discusses various punctuation marks and their rules and usage. It covers periods, question marks, exclamation points, commas, semicolons, colons, dashes, hyphens, parentheses, and brackets. For each punctuation mark, it provides examples of how and when to use them, including in sentences, quotations, dates, addresses, numbers, and more. The document serves as a guide to proper punctuation usage.

1. Punctuation Marks
By Zhian F Asaad

2. Punctuation mark: A mark, such as a full stop, comma, or question
mark, used in writing to separate sentences and to clarify meaning.
• Where one chunk of meaning ends and another
begins.
•Where to pause or change tone
when reading aloud.
They show the reader:

3. A sentence
* starts with a
capital letter
* ends with a .
* makes complete
sense.
?question mark
shows the end of
a question.
full stop shows the end
of a statement.
!exclamation mark shows
* raised voice,
* strong feelings,
* an exclamation.
Three
punctuation
marks can show
the end of a
sentence.

4. Rules for Periods
• Use a period at the end of a complete sentence.
• Use periods (decimal points) with money and percentages.
– $2.13 3.25%
• Use periods after initials.
– George W. Bush David A. Paap
• Don’t use a period at the end of a sentence that already
ends with an abbreviation.
– Bob woke up at 7 A.M.
Note: (Using question marks and exclamation are okay
after an abbreviation)
– Bob woke up at 7 A.M.!
– Bob woke up at 7 A.M.?

5. Rules for Period
• Use period in some abbreviations:
– Months: Jan. Feb.
– Days: Mon. Tues.
– Titles: Gov. (senator )Sen. Dr. Mr.
– Addresses: ( Avenue) Ave. St.
– Measurements: (pound) lb. hr. min.
– Countries: U.S. U.K.
• When all the letters are capital letters, periods are
usually not used: FBI

6. Rules for Question Mark
• Use a question mark after a question.
– This is not difficult, is it?
• Use a question mark to indicate uncertainty or doubt.
– The author of this book lived from 1810(?) to 1895.
• (This shows that you are not positive the exact date.)
• In a polite request (when no answer is required), the
question mark is often omitted even though the sentence is
phrased like a question. Use it or don’t use it – it is your
choice.
– Would you please bring us the remote?
– Would you please bring us the remote.
Both examples are correct

7. Rules for Exclamation Point
• Use an exclamation point after exclamations to show:
– Delight: Wow! Nice catch!
– Urgency: Please help me!
– Anger: Drop dead!
– Surprise: I can’t believe it’s you!
– Distress: Oh, no! This can’t be right!
– Excitement: I got an A!
– Intensity: I love you!
– Loud noises: Crash!
– Strong Commands: Stop! Don’t move!

8. • Is it a question or an exclamation? Sometimes a sentence
can go either way.
– How could you do that?
– How could you do that!
• It depends on what you are trying to convey to the
reader.
Some people use exclamation points all the time! It
makes their writing look hyper active! It’s even
worse to use lots of exclamations!! - oh, no, not the
double exclamations!!
Note: Never use double exclamation points in
formal writing. In fact, don’t use many exclamation
points at all.

9. separating the
items in a list
The comma ,
Within a
sentence a comma
shows where one
chunk of meaning
ends and
another begins…
I bought eggs, a pint of
milk, tea and sugar.
separating the
direct speech from
a reporting clause
This is great, isn’t it?
How old are you, John?
separating off
‘tag phrases’ and names
separating
off an introductory
‘chunk’
Anyway, I decided
not to go.
Three weeks later,
James was born.
Although she was only
three, Gemma knew
her tables.
marking off
extra information
only if that information is not
absolutely necessary in the
sentence
My mother,
who is a college professor,
hates her job.
I am looking for a college
professor who hates his job.
[no comma]
"I have been to Spain", he told me.
He told me that he had been to Spain.
Use a comma to join two
sentences with “and,” “but,”
or “or.”
You cook, and I’ll do the
Use a comma after an
introductory word
group.
If you cook, I’ll do
the dishes.

10. • Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction that introduces
an independent clause (that’s the clause that can stand alone).
– Coordinating conjunctions are:
and, but, for, or, so, yet, nor
• Independent clause combinations:
– I hurried to the store, and I bought a bag.
Notice that there are two independent clauses being
connected. If we have a dependent and an independent
clause there is no need to use a comma.
– I hurried and bought a bag.
I hurried (independent clause) bought a bag (dependent
clause).
some common dependent markers
are: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if,
even though, if, in order
to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever
, whether, and while.

11. • Use a comma after conjunctive adverbs (those are adverbs
working as conjunctions – they link two sentences and show
how the two are related).
– Conjunctive adverbs include:
however, furthermore, indeed, meanwhile,
nevertheless, therefore, unfortunately
– I thought I made a C+ on the test, however, I made a B-.
– I didn’t study very much, nevertheless, I made a good
grade.
– I might not be so lucky next time; therefore, I am going to
study right now!
Some common independent markers are:
also, consequently, furthermore, however,
moreover, nevertheless, and therefore.

12. • Use a comma after most introductory phrases and clauses.
– Since I forgot my key, I could not open my locker.
Since I forgot is an introductory clause and I could not
open my locker is an independent clause.
• Short introductory clauses don’t necessarily have to have a
comma.
– In May, I will be graduating.
– In May I will be graduating.
Both sentences are grammatically correct.
• Be careful when using introductory clauses and phrases.
Don’t confuse the reader by forgetting an important comma.
– After eating my cat hiccups.
How does your cat taste?
– After eating, my cat hiccups.
• After eating is the introductory clause and my cat
hiccups is the independent clause.

13. • Use comma when adjectives come after the noun.
– The football players, tired and dirty, celebrated their
victory.
– Mr. Smith’s cat, hungry and scared, meowed from the top
of the tree.
• Use a comma with cities and states. Always separate the city
from the state and the state from everything else.
– I lived in San Francisco, California, for twenty years.
• When starting a sentence with a weak clause, use a comma
after it. Conversely, do not use a comma when the sentence
starts with a strong clause followed by a weak clause.
Examples: If you are not sure about this, let me know now.
Let me know now If you are not sure about this.

14. • Use a comma after phrases of more than three words that begin a
sentence. If the phrase has fewer than three words, the comma is
optional.
• Examples: To apply for this job, you must have previous
experience.
• On February 14, many couples give each other candy or
flowers.(optional)
• Use comma with addresses. Notice there is no comma between
the state and the zip code.
– She lives at 2055 Centre Street, San Diego, California.
• If the subject does not appear in front of the second verb, do not
use a comma.
• Example: He thought quickly but still did not answer correctly.

15. • Use comma in numbers over 999.
– 2,140
– 1,214,000
• Use comma with direct quotations (what someone says).
– “I’m not afraid of the dark,” whispered Bobby, “I’m almost
eight years old.”
– Jane cried, “I lost my homework for Geometry!”
• Do not use comma with indirect quotations (stating what
someone said, not necessarily using his/her exact words).
– Sarah said that she wanted to go to the movies tonight.
– Bobby whispered that he wasn’t afraid of the dark any
more because he is eight years old.

16. • Use comma when speaking directly to someone (this is
called a direct address).
– Keith, it is time to go.
– I’ve told you three times, boys and girls, to do your
homework.
• Use comma with dates.
Note: Separate the day from the year and the year from the
rest of the sentence.
– Muna was born on November 1st
, 2005, at 8:48 A.M.

17. • Use a comma before and/or after an interjection.
Interjections are the only words that add emotion to the
writing and can be eliminated completely without changing
the meaning of the sentence.
– Wow, what a beautiful sunset.
– No, I don’t really want to see that movie.
• Use comma between consecutive adjectives (two or more in
a row) describing the same noun.
– It was a cold, dark, and dreary night.
• Use a comma whenever the word and would sound
right between the adjectives.
– It was a cold September night.
• Cold and September describe the same noun, but it
wouldn’t sound right to say, “cold and September
night.”

18. • Use comma before and after parenthetical expressions.
Parenthetical expressions are words inserted into a sentence
giving information or thoughts that are not absolutely
essential.
– I reminded my mom, in case she forgot, that I wanted an
Xbox 360 for my birthday.
– Since she is the best mom in the world, at least that’s what
I tell her to get what I want, I know she’ll buy me one.
• Use comma after greetings and before closing in friendly
letters.
Greetings Closings
– Dear Shannon, - Sincerely,
– Hello Sweetheart, - Love,

19. • Use a comma to show that two parts of a
sentence are being contrasted.
– I’m going out with Ken, not Ron.
– It’s a book, not a movie.
– I really wanted the Xbox, not the Playstation.

20. Dash -
A dash gives a break
halfway between , and .
e.g. It was great to see you
_
we must meet again.
e.g. On Monday – the first day of our
holidays – we explored the beach.
marking off extra information
embedded in the sentence
showing a sharp
break between two chunks
of meaning
Both these
chunks are main
clauses. A comma
cannot separate
two main clauses.
A dash showing interruption:
"The girl is my -"
"Sister," interrupted Miles.
"She looks just like you."
A dash before a final
comment:
I'd love to go out with
you to the dinner -
when hell freezes over!

21. Dash
1. Dashes are used to show a range or in place of parentheses
to show that information has been inserted into a
sentence. Dashes are only used in informal writing; in
academic and business writing, use parentheses, commas,
or colons instead. Do not put a space before or after a
dash.
2. Dash indicate a full stop—a very strong pause in the
sequence of a sentence:
• I cannot write without dashes—I sprinkle them like salt and pepper in my
prose.
2. Dash set off appositives (parenthetical expressions):
• My mother—a college professor—encouraged me to take my math classes
my freshman year.
Note: Avoid overusing dash in formal writing.

22. • An en dash (–) is most commonly used to indicate a
range of numbers. It is longer than a hyphen although a
hyphen with spaces surrounding it can be used if a dash
is not available. In Microsoft Word, doing this will
automatically change the hyphen into an en dash.
(Example: August 13–August 18, or pages 29–349.
Note that there should be no space around the en dash.)
• An en dash, roughly the width of an n, is a little
longer than a hyphen. It is used for periods of
time when you might otherwise use to.
– Examples:
• The years 2001–2003
• January–June

23. • An en dash is also used in place of a hyphen
when combining open compounds.
– Examples:
• North Carolina–Virginia border
• a high school–college conference

24. • An em dash is most often used to indicate a break in thought
or to set an appositive off from the rest of the sentence. It
can also be used to show a date when the time frame in
question has not yet ended (Example: John Smith, 1976—).
• Use an em dash before the source of a quotation when the
source is listed after the quotation.
Example : "Proper words in proper places make the true
definition of a style." —Jonathan Swift

25. – The dash works somewhat like parentheses or
commas, but it is used where a stronger
punctuation is needed. It can connect an
independent clause with the 'interrupting'
thought, like so:
• Independent clause—thought—independent clause.
– I'd better have passed my test—it's ninety percent of my class
grade—or I'll have to go to summer school.
– Well, I passed the test—granted, I cheated—but I passed!
or like so:
• Independent clause—thought.
– Abby gave me a terrible haircut—and she expected a tip!

26. Other ways to use a dash
• In dialogue, dashes are used to indicate interrupted speech.
– "But I—But you said— ... wait, what?" stammered Edna.
• Dashes can also be used to emphasize a sentence part.
– Of course, I'll sign a prenuptial agreement—as long as it's
in my favor.
• Use a dash to link two parts of a sentence.
Okay
• “Come to class on time because it’s the rule.”
– ^Conjunctions are too boring. Students will show up late.
Better
• “Come to class on time - it’s the rule.”

27. How to type a dash
• When using a word processor, such as Microsoft
Word, type two hyphens in between the words you
wish to separate, leaving no spaces in between the
words and the hyphens. The processor will
automatically change the two hyphens into an em
dash. (s—s)
• If you use a space after the first word and before the
second word, the processor will change the two
hyphens into an en dash. (s – s)

28. Tips
• Use dashes instead of parentheses when the note you
are making is more connected to the initial sentence,
as parentheses usually indicate a more separate or
personal thought.
• Use dashes, instead of commas, when the note breaks
up the flow of a sentence, as commas are typically
used for an item that fits in more.
• When using a dash—in terms of explanations or
listings—in a formal paper, it is recommended to
rearrange the sentence so that a colon could be used
instead; dashes tend to interrupt the sentence, which is
not the desired tone of a formal paper.

29. Hyphen -
A hyphen links words or
parts of words
when they are put
together to make a
new word
when a word is split be-
tween two lines of print
e.g. mother-in-law
Irish-American
co-operation
e.g.
The hyphen differs from the dash in that
• you do not leave a space between the words and the hyphen
• it is half as long.

30. Hyphens
1. Hyphens create compound words.
• I have ninety-four Penguin editions.
2. Hyphens make adjectives out of nouns.
• The woman was an African American.  The woman
was African-American.
• I like literature from the nineteenth century.  I like
nineteenth-century literature.
3. A hyphen also makes the meaning of a sentence
clear:
A big-city project. (A project on a big city not a big project on
a city.)

31. 4. Write out numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine.
• Seventy-five students turned in an essay.
5. With Prefixes
–all-, co-, ex-, half-, great-, numbers and capital letters
• Ex: All-knowing, co-author, ex-convict, half-
life, great- uncle, 10-yards, T-Shirt

32. Brackets ( )
marking off extra information
embedded in the sentence
Brackets show
information which is extra
to the main text…
marking off extra
facts like dates
or dimensions
e.g. Elizabeth I (1553 – 1603)
Mount Everest (8850 m)
Brackets are sometimes call parentheses.
Information in brackets is said to be in
parenthesis.
comma and dashes can also enclose
parenthetic information.
e.g. On Monday (the first day of our
holidays) we explored the beach.
As brackets are very noticeable, they are used
when the writer wishes to draw attention to the
extra information.

33. Bracket
• Bracket, there are several varieties of brackets.
• First, Bracket or Square brackets [ ]
• Second, Parentheses ( )
• Third, Braces also known as curly brackets { }
• And last, Chevron brackets or Angle brackets < >

34. • Rule 1. Clarification
• If the original material includes a noun or pronoun that is unclear,
brackets can be used for clarification.
• In his memoirs, the author reveals, “The year we moved into the
house [1985] was a difficult one for us, both emotionally and
financially.”
• Rule 2. Translation
• If a quotation includes a foreign word or phrase that might not be
understood, provide a translation in brackets. (Use parentheses for
translations of unquoted material.)
• Smith writes in his autobiography: “I seldom spoke in French class.
When I did, I usually just said je ne sais pas [I don’t know].”

35. Semicolon ;
A semi-colon gives a break
halfway between , and .
to separate two
main clauses
e.g. It was a great pleasure to meet you
yesterday; I hope we meet again soon.
The semicolon here is
like a formal version
of the dash.
to separate lengthy
items in a list
e.g. I surveyed John Street: small, redbrick
houses; an ancient church; three brand new
bungalows, and a Victorian town house, gone to seed.
When semicolons are used
in a list, there is usually a
comma before the and.

36. A colon marks a break
where there is a feeling of
balance between the elements
on either side:
e.g. I surveyed John Street: small,
redbrick houses; an ancient church;
three brand new bungalows,
and a Victorian town house, gone to seed.
to introduce a list, an
example or a quotation to separate two main
clauses, where the second
clause expands on or
illustrates the first
e.g. It was very cold: the
temperature was below zero.
Colon :
e.g. I love the first lines of ‘Jabberwocky’:
“’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe…”

37. Colons versus Semicolons
1. Use a colon when you want to say “here
comes an example” or “here’s what I’m
talking about.”(Colons are used to give
examples that directly relate to the
sentence).
2. Colons and semicolons express a
relationship between two halves of a
sentence.
3. Semicolons create a list (but no stronger
relationship than that). They mean “and” or
“also.”

38. Colons
1. Use a colon before some lists.
– A colon is needed before these phrases: these are, there are, the
following, as follows, such as, or these things.
• Use a colon before subtitles of books, articles, chapters, etc.
– The title of the book is Bill Gates: Man of the Year.
• Use a colon with expressions of time.
– It’s 12:15 P.M.
• Use a colon in the greeting part of a formal letter or business letter.
– To Whom It May Concern:
– Dear Senator McCain:
• Use a colon in literary references between volume and page or
between chapter and verse.
– John 3:16 [the book of John, chapter 3, verse 16]
1. Don’t use a colon if a list comes right after a verb.
– The ingredients are: flour, eggs, sugar, and milk. (THIS SENTENCE IS WRONG)
• Don’t use a colon after a preposition.
– I want to travel to: New York, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Montreal. (Incorrect)

39. • Use colons to indicate dialogue when you’re
writing a play or script.
Henry: I can’t believe it’s not butter.
Janet: It has less fat than sour cream.
• Use a colon before a long, formal quotation.
Governor Smith stated to the press: “I think that
children should study grammar for at least six
hours a day. Learning to speak and write
correctly is far more important than anything else
– including eating. In fact, I believe that eating is
a complete waste of valuable time.” Then he
said, “April Fools!”

40. Rules for Colons
• Use a colon after words such as caution,
wanted, or note.
– Caution: wet floor.
– Wanted: interior designer specializing in abstract art.
– Note: Colons have specific uses.
• Capitalize the first word after a colon if it begins
a complete sentence – and if you want to.
Either way is okay as long as it is a complete
sentence.
– Caution: There are workers present.
– Caution: there are workers present.

41. Semicolons
1. Use a semicolon between two complete
sentences that are very closely related.
My family is Kurd; we celebrate Nawroz but not Christmas.
1. Semicolons connect independent clauses in a
“both-and” relationship.
• My brother was sixteen years old that winter; I was thirteen.
• He had a Mustang; I, however, wanted a Denali.

42. “It’s late,” said Cinderella.
The prince smiled and
answered, “Yes, but we have
all the time in the world.”
“What time is it?” asked
Cinders. “I must leave
before midnight.”
“If you must go,” said the
prince, “you’d better hurry.
It’s 5 to 12.”
“Oh no!” cried Cinders.
Direct Speech
* Each new speaker on a
new line.
* Speech marks (“ ”) round
the direct speech.
* Comma between direct
speech and reporting
clause…
* …unless there’s a ? or !
* Direct speech begins with
a capital letter…
* …unless a sentence is
interrupted by the
reporting clause.
“ ”
“
”
“ ”
“
”
“ ”
“
”
“ ”
,
,
,
,
?
!
I
W
Y
I
I
O
y
I
comma before the speech marks

43. Speech marks
Speech
marks
are also called
quotation marks
or inverted
comma and
may be used…
to mark the
words in
direct speech
to show
that a word is being
used ironically or
‘oddly’
to indicate the
title of a book,
film, etc
to show
a quotation
to show when you
are talking about a
word or phrase
Wordsworth
wrote about an
‘inward eye’.
The word ‘exit’ is the Latin
for ‘he goes out’.
There were many ‘experts’
in the audience.
Double and single speech marks.
Double marks are usually used in handwritten texts.
Single marks are often used in printed texts.
“ ” ‘ ’
The book ‘Black Beauty’ was also
made into a film.
“Hello,” said the cat.

44. Initial Quotation Marks
1. Introduce a quotation with an initial phrase and a
comma or an initial clause and a colon:
• According to Jones, “Blah blah blah.”
• The shortest verse in the Bible makes a powerful emotional
statement: “Jesus wept.”
2. You can also introduce a quotation by fitting it
grammatically into the sentence (in which case
you omit the comma or colon):
• We know from John 11:35 that “Jesus wept.”

45. Initial Quotation Marks
1. Introduce a quotation with an initial phrase and a
comma or an initial clause and a colon:
• According to Jones, “Blah blah blah.”
• The shortest verse in the Bible makes a powerful emotional
statement: “Jesus wept.”
2. You can also introduce a quotation by fitting it
grammatically into the sentence (in which case
you omit the comma or colon):
• We know from John 11:35 that “Jesus wept.”

46. Ends of Quotations
1. If the sentence continues after the quotation,
you’ll usually need a comma AFTER your quotation
but BEFORE your final quotation mark:
• “I wish this workshop were over,” John said.
• “Not me,” Mary replied, “I’ve got to go to the dentist this
afternoon.”
2. If the quotation ends in an exclamation point or
question mark, omit the comma:
1. “I hate going to the dentist!” John bellowed.
2. “Why are you talking so loudly?” asked Mary.

47. Ends of Sentences Cont.
2. If the sentence ends with the quotation (and if
there is no parenthetical citation), put your final
mark of punctuation INSIDE the quotation marks:
• “That dog is bigger than a Denali!”
• “I don’t think so; Denalis are quite large.”
3. If your sentence ends with a footnote, put the
superscript number AFTER your final mark of
punctuation:
• According to Car and Driver, the Denali is “among the most agile of
full-sized sport utility vehicles.”15

48. Quotes in Quotes
1. If you have a quotation within a quotation,
standard American usage indicates that you
double the outermost quotes (“”) and use
single quotes for the inner quotations (‘’).
• My dad said to me, “Your long-haired, so-called ‘best
friend’ was just over here asking if you could loan her
some money. I told him ‘absolutely not.’”

49. an ellipsis is
three dots…
to show that a
sentence is unfinished
e.g. to show that a
sentence is…
to show that words
have been missed out
in a quotation
e.g. The hyphen differs from the
dash in that… it is half as long.
Ellipsis …

50. Ellipses
1. Ellipses indicate that something has been omitted.
Paul urges, “Present your bodies . . . holy and acceptable to God” (Rom. 12:1).
2. If you end a sentence with an ellipsis, you need FOUR
periods instead of three.
3. Do NOT use ellipses to create dramatic effect (especially in
formal writing).
The results of this study were surprising to the researchers….
4. Ellipses may or may not be enclosed in brackets
(depending on your citation style).
5. If at all possible, avoid using too many ellipses.

51. The Apostrophe
omission possession
In shortened forms
of words, the
apostrophe shows
where letters have
been missed out.
‘s shows ownership
the girl’s coat the children’s
home
If the owner-noun is
a plural ending in s,
just add ‘
the girls’ coats the princesses’
hats
cannot
can’t
should have
should’ve
you are
you’re
it is
it’s
I will
I’ll
does not
doesn’t
the hats
belonging to
the princesses
the coats
belonging to
the girls
the coat belonging
to the girl the home belonging
to the children

52. Apostrophes
• Rule #1: Contractions
• I shouldn’t use contractions in my formal essays.
• Rule #2: Indicate Singular Possessive
• Ex: Connor’s birds; Jesse’s computer; the cat’s hat
• Rule # 3:Plural Possessive
• Ex: The students’ essays; the cats’ hats; The Joneses’
party

53. Apostrophes
• Rule # 4: Special Plural
– For the most part, do not use apostrophe’s in
regular plural words.
Use apostrophes in these cases
- Words used as words
- Ex: You used too many “yet’s” in your perfect
paragraph.
-Alphabet
Ex:My name has two f’s and two e’s.

54. Titles

55. Titles