1.6 PUNCTUATION

                         1.6 PUNCTUATION

 What are the Punctuation Marks in English?

            There are 14 punctuation marks that are used in the English language.   If you want to make your writing easier to read and generally look more professional, you should know what each one is and how to use them.

The 14 Punctuation Marks with Examples

The punctuation marks into five categories, as follows:

v Sentence endings: period, question mark, exclamation point

v Comma, colon, and semicolon

v Dash and hyphen

v Brackets, braces, and parentheses

v Apostrophe, quotation marks, and ellipsis

Each category serves its own purpose within a sentence or a text. There are some differences between American and British punctuation styles.

 1) full stop (.)

            This one is probably the most straightforward. Also referred to as a full stop, the period denotes the end of a sentence. A full sentence is considered as one that is complete and declarative.

v Here’s an example of a period at the end of a sentence:

Eg. : The dog ran under the fence.

 

v Periods are also used in abbreviations, such as in names or titles.

Eg.1 : Dr. Smith has read his patient’s chart.

Eg.2 : Mr. H. Kavin opened his front door.

 2) Question Mark (?)

            It is used in interrogative sentence (questioning sentence); however it ends a sentence that is a direct question.

 v Here’s how to use a question mark in a sentence:

Eg.1 : How do you like your eggs?

Eg.2 : Did you like the movie last night?

 3) Exclamation Point (!)

            An exclamation point or exclamation mark is also used at the end of a sentence when that sentence expresses an intense emotion. The expression can be a variety of things, from excitement, disgust, anger, joy, or anything else. Exclamation points are meant to add emphasis to a sentence.

v Here’s how to use one in a sentence:

Eg.1 : “Look out behind you!” she yelled.

Eg.2 : I’m so excited to go to the park tomorrow!

 4) Comma (,)

            Commas are used to insert a pause into a sentence. The purpose of the pause can be for different reasons, such as to separate ideas, phrases, or even alter the structure of a sentence.

 v Commas have a few different uses. Commas are used for a direct address, such as:

Eg. : Joe, it was nice to see you again.

 v They’re also used to separate two complete sentences:

Eg. : He went to the library, and then he went out for lunch.

 v Commas can also be used to list items in a sentence:

Eg. : She went shopping and bought shoes, a dress, two shirts, and a pair of pants.

 v Commas are one of the most misused punctuation points, and its misuse often results in a comma splice. A comma splice is when you join two independent clauses with a comma instead of a conjunction. For example:

Eg. : It’s almost time for dinner, I’m not hungry.

 v Instead of using a comma, the sentence should read:

Eg. : It’s almost time for dinner and I’m not hungry.

 v Oxford commas are often debated within academics and the English language, and using one often comes down to preference. An Oxford comma is when a final comma is placed on the last item of a list. For example:

Eg. : He likes to eat fruits, cake, vegetables, and pasta.

 5) Colon (:)

            A colon has three primary uses. One way to use it is when introducing something, such as a quote, an example, a series, or an explanation.

v She took four classes last semester: history, biology, arts, and economics.

 v A colon can also be used to link two independent clauses if the second clause clarifies or completes the first one. For example:

Eg. : They didn’t have time to waste: it was already late.

 v Finally, a colon can also emphasize a subject in a sentence:

Eg. : I only hate one vegetable: brussel sprouts.

 6) Semicolon (;)

            Similar to a colon, a semicolon links two independent clauses. However, in this case, the clauses are more closely related than when you would use a colon. For example:

v I have a meeting tomorrow morning; I can’t go out tonight.

 v Both clauses are independent enough to be their own sentences, but instead of using a period, it’s possible to use a semicolon to show both clauses are connected.

v Another less common use for semicolons is within a list that uses commas. Have a look:

Eg. : Last summer we traveled to London, England; Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Athens, Greece.

7) Dash (-)

There are two types of dashes that vary in size and use.

 v En dash: Typically shorter in length, the en dash is used to denote a range, such as between numbers or dates. For example:

Eg. 1: The company was operational from 1990-2000.

Eg. 2: He took the Chicago-New York train last night.

 v Em dash: this dash is longer, and is sometimes used instead of other punctuation marks, like commas, colons, or parentheses. Here’s an example:

Eg. : Her answer was clear — Yes!    

VIDEO REFERENCE (watch the videos by copying below links)

          ENGLISH : https://youtu.be/xBCmEDnWiso?si=LvHfjxEaToO-nlav

           TAMIL  : https://youtu.be/ORxc4OXUM6E?si=Is_8_SmY-31Q7ZoS