Punctuation Marks in English



What is a Punctuation Mark in English?

A punctuation mark in English is a symbol that you use in a text for the purpose of separation some elements from others. A punctuation mark is essential to use in writing to express unexpressed meaning. That's to say, a punctuation mark tells us that a sentence has ended, that you can pause for a second, that you are to express surprise, anger or extreme level of happiness. 


Why Learn Punctuation Marks? 

In writing, we need to use punctuation marks so that the sentences, clauses and phrases we are writing can be separated from the other sentences. The separation of sentences is necessary because it helps the readers to understand them clearly without any difficulty. The absence of a punctuation mark can create a great difficulty in understanding the text. 

Look at the following example carefully to understand why punctuation is important in writing.

Example: 

Let's eat mom.

Explanation:-  In this example, the absence of a comma creates a serious problem—eating mom. Indeed, eating mom is not the intention of the writer. The sentence can be corrected by using comma as in “Let's eat, mom.”, where mom is being directly addressed which requires the use of comma. 


In the following examples, the symbols in parentheses (.) (:) (,) (;) are known as punctuation marks. 


Examples:

(a) He is a good guy.  

(b) He bought three things: a watch, a bracelet and a belt.

(c) My mother is a homemaker; my father is a farmer.


Different Types of Punctuation Marks in English with Examples 

1. Full stop or period (.) ends a sentence and

 is used: 

(a) at the end of an assertive sentence

Examples: 

(a) He is a good guy. 

(b) He is not a bad guy. 


(b) at the end of an indirect question

Examples: 

(a) I'm asking who he is. 


(c) at the end of an imperative sentence 

Examples: 

(a) John, come here. 

(b) Tell him the story. 


(d) after short forms and abbreviations 

Examples: 

(a) U.S.A.

(b) U.K. 

(c) Mr. Mrs.


2. Comma (,) guides us to take a small break and 

is used:


(a) at the end of a noun or pronoun directly addressed

Examples: 

(a) Ram, come here. 

(b) You, have you completed your task? 


(b) for the list of items used 

Examples: 

(a) I bought a watch, a bracelet and an umbrella. 


(c) to separate independent clauses

Examples: 

(a) I love juice, but my friend loves coffee. 


(d) after introductory clauses 

Examples:

(a) When I was 9 years old, I used to play with my friends. 


(e) before tag questions

Examples: 

(a) He is a good guy, isn't he? 


3. Question mark (?) is used at the end of a direct question. 

Examples: 

(a) Do you know him? 

(b) What's your name? 


4. Exclamation mark (!) is used after exclamation or to show a strong feeling

Examples: 

(a) What a beautiful girl she is! 


5. Colon (:) is used: 

(a) to introduce a list 

Examples: 

(a) He bought three things: a watch, a bracelet and an umbrella. 


(b) after Numbers of time

Examples: 

(a) 10:30 p.m. 


(c) after example 

Examples: 

(a) Examples: 


6. Semicolon (;) is used to separate independent clauses in place of ‘And’

Examples: 

(a) My mother is a homemaker; my father is a farmer. 


7. Parentheses () are used for giving additional information

Examples: 

(a) His brother (A doctor) has departed today. 


8. Hyphen (-) is used for compound words. 

Examples: 

(a) William Bentick was one of the Governor-generals of India.


Exercise 1 


Give the reasons why we use

1. A full stop

2. A comma 

3. An exclamation mark


Answer keys: 

1. To end a sentence

2. To take a small break

3. To express a strong feeling


Exercise 2 


Use the appropriate punctuation marks in the following examples. 

1. John come here 

2. Why are you late 

3. My brother has gone to the market my sister has left for her school

4. Can you tell me where he is from 

5. You need to have a check in here 

6. What a lovely place it is

7. I'm a student


Answer keys: 

1. John, come here. 

2. Why are you late? 

3. My brother has gone to the market; my sister has left for her school. 

4. Can you tell me where he is from? 

5. You need to have a check-in here. 

6. What a lovely place it is! 

7. I'm a student.