Would you like to write a great paper for one of your classes? Maybe you need to submit a polished, impeccable proposal to your boss? If so, it will help to know proper usage of punctuation.
The following is a list of common English punctuation marks and their usage.
Steps
End your sentences with a period (full stop), question mark, or exclamation point (exclamation mark or shout mark).
Use the period (full stop) to denote a full stop at the end of a statement. The period ( . ) is one of the most commonly used punctuation marks.
The accessibility of the computer has increased tremendously over the past several years.
The question mark ( ? ), used at the end of a sentence, suggests an interrogatory remark or inquiry.
What has humanity done about the growing concern of global warming?
The exclamation point (exclamation mark, shout mark)( ! ) suggests excitement or emphasis in a sentence.
I can't believe how difficult the exam was!
Use the semicolon and colon properly.
The semicolon ( ; ) has a few uses.
Use a semicolon to separate two related but independent clauses.
Note that, if the two clauses are very wordy or complex, it is better to use a period instead.
People continue to worry about the future; our failure to conserve resources has put the world at risk.
Use a semicolon to separate a complex series of items, especially those that contain commas.
I went to the show with Jake, my close friend; his friend, Jane; and her best friend, Jenna.
The colon ( : ) has multiple uses.
Use the colon to introduce a list. Be careful not to use a colon when denoting a regular series.
Usually, the word following suggests the use of a colon.
Use only after a noun.
The professor has given me three options: to retake the exam, to accept the extra credit assignment, or to fail the class.
INCORRECT - The Easter basket contained: Easter eggs, chocolate rabbits, and other candy.
Use of the hyphen
- The hyphen is still used in a number of other areas:
- Use a hyphen when adding a prefix to some words.
- The purpose of this hyphen is to make the word easier to read. If you were to leave the hyphen out of a word like re-examine, it would be reexamine, which would be harder to read.
- Understand that some words do not require a hyphen to separate the prefix from the word, such as restate, pretest, and undo.
- Let a dictionary be your guide for when to use the hyphen after a prefix.
Cara is his ex-girlfriend.
- Use hyphens when creating compound words from separate words.
The up-to-date newspaper reporters were quick to jump on the latest scandal.
- Use a hyphen when writing numbers out as words. Separate the two words of any number under one hundred with a hyphen.
How to Avoid Colloquial (Informal) Writing
How to Use Apostrophes
How to Use Question Marks Correctly
How to Use a Dictionary
How to Learn English
How to Use Generic Pronouns
How to Use There, Their and They're
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How to Enrich Your English Language Vocabulary
How to Be Articulate
