Punctuation Marks

Punctuation Marks

1. Period

   • The period, known as a full stop in British English is used to clarify where one sentence ends and another begins.
     • Use the period with the following rules:
       • At the end of sentences that are intended to instruct or command.
         • Example
           • Open your books on page 73.
       • Use a period at the end of indirect questions.
         • Example
           • She asked me how old my brother is.
       • Use a period after abbreviations.
         • Examples
           • a.m., vol., Inc., Jr., Mrs., Tex., Dr., and others.
       • Use a period with Quotation Marks
         • Example
           • Sandra told me: “Alex was looking for you yesterday.”
       • Use a period to end a declarative sentence or statement.
         • Example
           • My dad’s car is white.
       • Use a period with Parentheses
         • With complete sentences, the period goes inside the parentheses.
           • I went to El Pital (It was amazing.)
         • With incomplete sentences, the period goes outside.
           • She is from San Salvador (the capital of El Salvador).

2. Exclamation Mark

   • It is also known as the exclamation point that is used to express strong feelings or emotions.
     • Rules
       • It should be mainly used to demonstrate shock, surprise, anger or a raised voice.
         • Oh my God! What a beautiful voice!
       • It is used at the end of an interjection.
         • Hey! Stop playing with that flower vase!
       • It is used at the end of a strong command.
         • Shut Up!

3. Brackets

   • This terms refers to all types of brackets:
     • Square Bracket [ ]
       • Used to help the reader understand the text.
     • Angled brackets < >
       • The most common use for angled brackets is for placing URLs.
         • Example
           • <https://padlet.com/erikagriselda/i66w86xw2ghu1xjz>
     • Braces or Curly Brackets { }
       • They are mostly used for math, computer programming, or music.

4. Quotation marks

   • They are used to highlight and represent the exact language (spoken or written) that comes from another person.
   • Direct Quotation
     • It involves incorporating someone else's exact words into their own writing.
       • Rules
         • When we want to take an appointment where it is already has quotes, we should only use single quotes.
           • Example
             • “‘The Kissing Booth’ is my favorite movie,” Cindy said.
         • If a direct quotation is interrupted mid-sentence, do not capitalize the second part of the quotation.
           • Example
             • “I went to pick up Maria,” Carlos said, “but she wasn’t there.”
         • Once they are opened, they must be closed
           • Example
             • Karla said, “I really like this kind of music.”
         • When the sentence is complete, it should start with a capital letter; otherwise, it does not have to start with a capital letter.
           • Example
             • My father called my brother “stupid boy” when he was angry.

5. Colon

   • It is used to express pauses longer than a comma and shorter than a period.
   • These are the uses of the colon:
     • Introduce list, series, quotations and explanation.
       • Example
         • There are different genres of music that I like: classical music, pop music, romantic music, and rock music.
     • Separate independent clauses.
       • Example
         • You can come to my house: I don’t have coronavirus.
     • Show emphasis.
       • Example
         • You have two choices: study hard for the exam, or fail it.
     • Separate units of time
       • Example
         • The job interview is at 7:00 a.m.
     • Biblical references
       • Example
         • Philippians 4:3

6. Parentheses

   • This are used to contain text that is not part of the main sentence, but that is important as well.
     • Reasons to use parentheses:
       • To include extra information.
       • To cite authors.
       • To introduce abbreviations.
       • To translate words or short phrases.
       • To give examples by prefacing your list with “e.g.” or other clarifying text.
       • To define or restate a word.

7. Question Mark

   • This is used following a question in a sentence.
     • Rules
       • Use it after a direct question.
         • Do you want to go out with me?
       • It replaces a period at the end of a sentence
       • Do not use it with indirect questions.
         • I wonder if you want to be my girlfriend.
       • Rhetorical questions should be written without question marks.
         • Why don’t you think of it deeply.
       • Use it with tag questions
         • The class was interesting, wasn’t it?
       • If a question is within the quoted material, a question mark should be placed inside the quotation marks.
         • Maria asked, “Will you go with me”?

8. Semicolon

   • It shows a pause in a sentence. It is commonly used to join two independent clauses without using a conjunction.
     • These are the uses of semicolon:
       • Semicolons Connect Related Independent Clauses
         • I will eat more food; life is too short to be always on a diet.
       • Delete the Conjunction When You Use a Semicolon
         • I bought a beautiful house; it is a little bit small.
       • Use Semicolons in a Serial List
         • In the airplane were people from; Spain, France, Brazil, Honduras and other countries as well.
       • Use semicolons with Conjunctive Adverbs
         • Moreover, nevertheless, however, otherwise, then, finally, and others.
           • I do not like vegetable; likewise, I eat them to be healthy.

9. Ellipsis

   • Rules
     • Use it to show an omission of a word or words in a quote to make it shorter, and without changing the meaning.
       • Example
         • “One day, I found a dog in a street… and then the owner called him.”
     • Use it to show a pause in a thought or to create suspense.
       • Example
         • Maria heard a noise… and saw… a mouse!

10. Comma

    • It is used to indicate a pause in a sentence.
      • A comma can separate the following ones:
        • A dependent clause from an independent clause.
          • Example
            • If I won the lottery, I would like to buy a house.
        • Nonessential word or phrase from the rest of the sentence.
          • Example
            • Karla, my cousin, got pregnant without knowing who the father is.
        • Independent clauses joined by the following conjunctions:
          • For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS)
            • Example
              • I want to travel around the world, but I do not have money.
        • A quotation from the rest of a sentence.
          • Example
            • Teacher Olivia told us, “We will not have classes today.”
        • Items in a series of three or more things.
          • Noun, verb, adjective.
            • Example
              • Alexandra likes to sing, dance, and play basketball in her free time.
        • The name of a city from a country or state.
          • Example
            • I live in Coatepeque, Santa Ana.
        • The day of the week, day of the month, and the year.
          • Example
            • My best friend’s birthday is on Tuesday, August 31, 2021.
        • An introductory element from the rest of a sentence.
          • Example
            • Good morning, I would like to make an appointment.

11. Dash

    • This is a mark of separation stronger than a comma, less formal than a colon, and more relaxed than parentheses.
      • Types of dash:
        • Em-dash
          • It can replace parentheses, colons, and commas.
            • They can be used:
              • To join independent clauses.
                • They gave me a terrible service—and they did not even solve my doubt!
              • • To set off extra information in a sentence.
                • Most of the cellphone brand— Samsung, IPhone, Alcatel— are considered useful nowadays.
              • Lists placed in a sentence.
                • All the subjects— Math, Social Studies, Literature and Science—are becoming difficult every year.
              • Create emphasis in a sentence.
                • Of course, I will approve your fiancé—as long as he show me that he deserves you!
        • En-dash
          • This is considered formal, but their uses are limited.
            • Rule
              • The en-dash can only be used between times, dates, and forms of indexing.
                • I have been working in the mind map from 1:00 to 10:00 p.m. this day.

12. Apostrophe

    • It is used to indicate that one or more letters have been left out of a word.
      • Functions
        • Marks possession.
          • Rules
            • To show ownership, add apostrophe + s to the end of a word.
              • Example
                • Alexandra’s bike is fast.
            • Plural noun that does not end in s, add an apostrophe + s ('s).
              • Example
                • The women’s role in a house is very important.
            • Plural nouns already ending in “s” add only the apostrophe.
              • Example
                • Butterflies’ colors are beautiful.
            • Never use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns:
              • his, hers, its, theirs, yours, whose, and ours.
        • They are used in contractions.
          • It takes the place of one or more letters.
            • Example
              • They’re my best friends.
          • It mark the omission of the sound of one or more letters or numbers.
            • Example
              • It is 10 o’clock (“of the clock”).

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