PUNCTUATION MARKS

PUNCTUATION MARKS

1. What are they?

   • Any of various standardized marks or signs used in punctuation.
     • The most common are
       • Comma
         • It separates words, ideas, or phrases
           • Its rules are
             • Use commas to separate items (nouns,verbs, adjectives) in a series of three or more things.
               • Ex:Today I will water the plants, feed the animals, workout, and do my bed.
             • Use a comma to separate independent clauses when they are joined by the coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS).
               • Ex: I will get my car fixed, but I will need to pay in cash.
             • Use a comma to separate a dependent clause from an independent clause
               • (Only if the dependent clause is the first part of the sentence.)
                 • Ex:When you are sad, nobody will help you with your guilty.
             • Use a comma to separate any word or phrase that is not essential to the sentence.
               • Ex: Jose, the cop, is too snoop.
             • Use a comma to separate an introductory element from the rest of a sentence.
               • Ex: Excuse me, Is this girl Mariah?
         • It indicates a pause in a sentence.
       • The period
         • It is used to clarify the readers where one sentence ends and another begins.
           • Its mains rules are
             • Use a full stop to end a declarative sentence or statement.
               • It is high time to practice.
             • Use periods at the end of sentences that are intended to instruct or command.
               • Stand up quickly.
             • An indirect question ends with a period, not a question mark.
               • Could you tell me where the bank is.
             • In quotations we use the period inside he quotation mark.
               • Jose said, "Come back early."
             • When a sentence ends with a parenthetical part in a large sentence, the period is placed outside the parentheses.
               • • She has not finished her homework (the essay).
             • When a whole sentence is inside the parentheses, the period goes inside.
               • • I like this food (I have been eating it for an entire week.)
       • Ellipsis
         • Use an ellipsis to show an omission of a word or words in a quote.
           • It substitutes missing words
             • Ex: “I do not have money….we should leave now.”
       • Parentheses
         • They are used to contain text that is not part of the main sentence.
           • We use them
             • To include extra information.
               • Ex:That man took my wallet (The one that you game.)
             • To cite authors.
               • Ex: "Workin hard is the most powerful acction we can do (Jose Valle),"
             • To introduce abbreviations
               • Ex:English as a Second Language (ESL) is my purpose.
             • To give examples
               • Ex:You should do some other activities (workout, water the plants or practicing any sport), instead of smoking.
       • Apostrophe
         • It shows us the one letter or one Word has been left out. It also can show possession.
           • It rules are
             • We use it with nouns to show possession .
               • Mariah’s car is not working properly.
             • To show possession for a plural noun that does not end in s, add an apostrophe plus “s”.
               • Children’s parents are too confident nowadays.
             • Use apostrophe for making contractions.
               • Don’t Won’t Mustn’t Could’d
       • Dash
         • A dash is a mark of separation stronguer than a comma, and less formal than colon.
           • Rules
             • A dash connects an independent clause with another.
               • I do not like playing with him- but I have to pass that difficult proof.
             • It also can be used to set off extra information in a sentence.
               • I do not like this flowers –carnations, sunflowers- just roses.
             • Dashes can also be used to emphasize a point in a sentence.
               • I will be ready by the late of this year – as long as we do not died.
       • Quotation Marks
         • They highlight and represent the exact language that comes from another person.
           • Once opened, they must be closed.
             • "I do not like pizza," Melissa said.
           • It should be started with a capital letter only.
             • "We like your house"
           • Do not start with capital letters only when quoting a phrase or part of a sentence.
             • I do not like soda but I prefer any other drink, “lemon juice, tea, coffee, and milk” the young man said.
           • If a direct quotation is interrupted do not capitalize the second part of the quotation.
             • “I wish I were happy,” the little boy said “but life does not allow me to do so.”
       • Semicolon
         • It shows us that there's a pause in a sentence; semicolons separate two complete clauses.
           • Rules
             • Semicolons Connect Related Independent Clauses.
               • Ex: I have two good options; I do not think they are the best.
             • We do not use conjunctions (FANBOYS) after semicolons.
               • I like pizza; but I prefer hot dogs right now. (Incorrect)
             • Use Semicolons in a serial list if the items are long or contain internal punctuation.
               • The places where they live are the following: New York, The United States; La Paz, El Salvador; Moscow, Russia.
             • Use semicolons with Conjuctive Adverbs.
               • I do not like the noisy places; therefore I will not go to the party.
       • Colon
         • A colon often precedes an explanation, a list, or to introduce a quoted sentence.
           • Rules
             • Use a colon to introduce an item or a series of items. Do not capitalize the first item after the colon.
               • Ex: You can bring any of the following ítems: sugar, salt, some bread, and milk.
             • The colon may be used between independent clauses when the second sentence explains, illustrates, paraphrases the first sentence.
               • Ex: Maria is not here with us: she is ausent because of her decease.
             • Avoid using a colon before a list if it directly follows a verb or preposition.
               • I want: two oranges, one tangerine, and three onions. (Incorrect)
             • When listing items one by one, one per line, following a colon.
               • I need the following: Respet people´s bag Do not take pets with you. Always pay attention.
             • Use a colon if you are ddressing someone by his or her first name.
               • Mr. Roberto: ,Dear Jhon:
       • Question Marks
         • We use them to delimitate an interrogative phrase.
           • Rules
             • Use a question mark only after a direct question.
               • What do you want?
             • A question mark replaces a period at the end of a sentence.
               • Have go ever got covid-19?
             • Do not use Question Marks with indirect questions
               • I was wondering if you can take me to the airport? (Incorrect)
             • Use a question mark with tag questions.
               • You like her. Do not you?
       • Exclamation Marks
         • We use it to express strong feelings or emotions.
           • Where do we use it?
             • Use it to demostrate shock, surprise, anger or a raised voice
               • Ex: What a big sorprise!
             • If the exclamation point is part of a title of work or a proper noun, the comma should be retained.
               • This is Han’s song, “Gimme the mic!,” the biggest success.
             • The exclamation mark is used at the end of a strong command.
               • Run away! Give me your hand! Do not call me like that!