How many punctuation marks are there in the english language

The 14 Punctuation Marks with Examples We can break down the punctuation marks into five categories, as follows: Sentence endings: period, question mark, exclamation point Comma, colon, and semicolon Dash and hyphen Brackets, braces, and parentheses Apostrophe, quotation marks, and ellipsis Each category serves its own purpose within a sentence or a text. Here are examples of how to use a period in abbreviations: Dr.

Potter opened his front door. Question Mark? Source: Pixabay Exclamation Point! Comma , Commas are used to insert a pause into a sentence. Commas are used for a direct address, such as: Joe, it was nice to see you again.

Commas can also be used to list items in a sentence: She went shopping and bought shoes, a dress, two shirts, and a pair of pants. For example: He likes to eat fruits, cake, vegetables, and pasta.

Colon : A colon has three primary uses. Finally, a colon can also emphasize a subject in a sentence: I only hate one vegetable: brussel sprouts. Semicolon ; Similar to a colon, a semicolon links two independent clauses. Dash - There are two types of dashes that vary in size and use. For example: The company was operational from He took the Chicago-New York train last night.

Em dash: this dash is longer, and is sometimes used instead of other punctuation marks, like commas, colons, or parentheses. Hyphen - Not to be confused with a dash, a hyphen is used in compound words when two or more words are connected. Here are some examples of hyphenated words: Step-by-step Mother-in-law Ex-boyfriend Brackets [ ] Brackets are used to clarify something or for technical terms or explanations. For example: She [Mrs. Smith] agrees that cats are better than dogs.

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But in the printed matter the hyphen is made shorter than the dash. Example: green-room hand-towel tooth-paste mother-in-law. For example,. The question mark is used as a punctuation mark to show that a direct question has been asked whether in direct speech enclosed within inverted commas or as a part of a passage of writing.

The exclamatory mark is used to exclaim over something- a dramatic confession, a warning, an expression of anger, joy etc. It is used by writers to convey an emotion to the reader. The Inverted Commas or the Quotation Marks. Inverted commas tell the reader what lies between them is direct speech.

When we reproduce the words of a speaker as said originally, the speech is in the Inverted Commas. They are also used to enclose words of special significance for the writer.

The semicolon is stronger than a comma but weaker than a full stop. It is used between two independent clauses that are linked. The main function of the semicolon is to create a sequence of ideas made up of several clauses — usually connecting main clauses- as a single sentence.

Example: He checked through the heap of bank statements; he then re-checked the list of suppliers to whom he owed money; beyond all doubt, he was bankrupt! Example: The diet includes four main types of food: cereals, leafy vegetables, fruits, and fish. These are used to set off material that is not very closely related to the rest of the sentence.

They usually give extra information. Example: The findings of the research refer to Appendix 2 are quite surprising. Katrina a hurricane had a devastating effect on thousands of people. They are the period, question mark, and exclamation point.

The period. Use a question mark? The exclamation point! The comma, semicolon, and colon are often misused because they all can indicate a pause in a series.

The comma is used to show a separation of ideas or elements within the structure of a sentence. Additionally, it is used in numbers, dates, and letter writing after the salutation and closing.

Whether to add a final comma before the conjunction in a list is a matter of debate. This final comma, known as an Oxford or serial comma, is useful in a complex series of elements or phrases but is often considered unnecessary in a simple series such as in the example above. It usually comes down to a style choice by the writer. The semicolon ; is used to connect independent clauses. It shows a closer relationship between the clauses than a period would show. A colon : has three main uses.

The first is after a word introducing a quotation, an explanation, an example, or a series. The second is between independent clauses when the second explains the first, similar to a semicolon:.

Two other common punctuation marks are the dash and hyphen. These marks are often confused with each other due to their appearance but they are very different. A dash is used to separate words into statements.

There are two common types of dashes: en dash and em dash. A hyphen is used to join two or more words together into a compound term and is not separated by spaces.

For example, part-time, back-to-back, well-known. Example: I went there and saw Mr. He came to my home yesterday. I was there 10 years back. The comma , The Comma is a very useful punctuation mark in any language. The comma is also used in conditional sentences. If you go to the store today, please buy me a pack of coffee. Read: Grammarly alternative Colon : The colon is a very useful mark that we mostly use for making headings.

Example: I rented a two-bedroom apartment in France last year. When I knocked the door, his year old grandfather opened the door. This means that the owner of the book is Jhon. Ellipsis ….. So read on… Here the ellipsis has been used to emphasize continual reading. Brackets Brackets are also used in pairs. Braces Braces are like the previous two marks. A question mark can be used in a math equation too if the result is unknown.

Example: Could you please tell me how to make money online? When does the train arrive at this station? Example: What a shot! If you see a great shot in cricket or tennis, you might talk like this. Brazil have won the football world cup. How to use the 14 punctuation marks properly?