This document provides an overview of common punctuation marks, including periods, question marks, commas, semicolons, colons, exclamation points, apostrophes, and quotation marks. It explains the typical uses of each punctuation mark and provides examples. It also includes practice problems for the reader to apply their understanding of punctuation.

1. Using Punctuation Marks
Punctuation is the use of standard marks and signs in writing to separate
words into sentences, clauses, and phrases in order to clarify meaning.
Here are the punctuation marks that are most commonly used when writing
and the most typical way or ways they are used.
Examples are provided for each.
1. Period (.)
- Use a period at the end of a declarative sentence (a sentence which states
an idea). "That was a wonderful movie."
- Use a period to end an abbreviation. "I think that Mr. Williams is a great
teacher."
2. Question Mark (?)
- Use a question mark at the end of an interrogative sentence (a sentence
which asks a question). "Did you like that movie?"
3. Comma (,)
- Use a comma to separate three or more items in a series. "My history class
meets each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday."
- Use a comma to separate independent clauses in a sentence. "We wanted to
go to the beach, but it rained that day."
- Use a comma after introductory words or phrases in a sentence. "Certainly,
I have my homework right here."
- Use a comma to set off dates and addresses. "My friend Jane, who was
born June 18, 1992, lives in Akron, Ohio."
- Use a comma in appositives (an explanatory phrase).
“Mr. Rivera, my best teacher, gave me an award.”
- U se a comma between the names of a city and a state.
“I lived in Brooklyn, New York.”
- Use a comma to separate a noun in a direct address.
“Fred, help me with the desk.”
- Use a comma before or after a direct quotation to set off the words that tell
who is speaking. Danny said, “ That is my book.”
4. Semicolon (;)
- Use a semicolon when two independent clauses in a sentence are not
separated by a conjunction (such as "and").
"I like pizza; Carlos also likes pizza"
- Use a semicolon between independent clauses in a sentence that are
separated by any of the following transitional words or phrases: accordingly,
consequently, for example, for instance, furthermore, however, instead,
moreover, nevertheless, otherwise, and therefore. "I planned to study

2. Saturday morning; however, the power in our house went out due to a
storm."
- Use a semicolon when the items in a series of items contain commas. "I
have lived in Los Angeles, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Trenton, New
Jersey;
and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania."
5. Colon (:)
- Use a colon before a list that is preceded by a complete independent clause.
Some form of the word "follow" is often used in such a case. "On our next
vacation, we plan to visit the following countries: England, France, Italy,
and Greece."
- Use a colon to divide hours from minutes. "I have an appointment with the
doctor at 10:30 tomorrow morning."
- Use a colon following a Biblical chapter.
“Mathew 6:10”
6. Exclamation Point (!) (sometimes called an Exclamation Mark)
- Use an exclamation mark at the end of a sentence to show strong emotion.
"I am very upset with him!"
- Use an exclamation mark at the end of a sentence for emphasis. "I have to
go home right now!"
- Use an exclamation mark after an interjection at the start of a sentence (an
interjection is a word used to express strong feeling or sudden emotion).
"Wow! That test was harder than I expected."
7. Apostrophe (')
- Use an apostrophe to indicate a missing letter or letters in a contraction. "I
don't think she will win the election."
- Use an apostrophe plus the letter "s" to show possession. "Please take
good care of Brad's dog."
8. Quotation Marks (“ ”)
- Use quotation marks to set off all direct quotations, some titles, and words
used in a special sense.
“I do not care,” he said.
- Use quotation marks for minor titles (short stories, one-act plays, short
poems, songs, articles from magazines) and for subdivisions of books.
“The Antic Arts” is a very interesting article.

3. Practice
Use the correct punctuation marks within the sentences given.
1. Nancy Wanda Sandra and Helen went to Ponce together
2. Were you going to school today
3. Sandras house is white and yellow
4. Carmen said Can you help me with the books
5. I will read Mathew 615
6. Fred and José dont have to go to the park today
7. Thats incredible
8. Why are you here now
9. He works in San Juan Puerto Rico
10. I always wake-up at 600
11. Dr López is at his office
12. Will George come to PR this year
13. How beautiful that girl
What punctuation mark do you use?
1. To separate words in a series, ____________________
2. In minor titles, ____________________
3. In biblical chapters, ____________________
4. To separate the hour and minutes, ____________________
5. At the end of a statement, ____________________
6. Using words like (Who, What, When…) ____________________

4. 7. For possessions, ____________________
8. For abbreviations, ____________________
9. For contractions, ____________________
10. To separate a city and a state, ____________________
Select the correctly punctuated sentence. a. The children's books were all left in the
following places: Mrs. Smith's room, Mr. Powell's office, and the caretaker's
cupboard.
b. The children's books were all left in the following places; Mrs. Smith's room,
Mr. Powell's office and the caretaker's cupboard.
c. The childrens books were all left in the following places: Mrs. Smiths room,
Mr. Powells office and the caretakers cupboard.
d. The children's books were all left in the following places, Mrs. Smith's room,
Mr. Powell's office and the caretaker's cupboard.