Grammar Clinic: Punctuation Marks and Their Functions

Punctuation marks are basic composition of a language. One must be very careful when using punctuation marks because a message can be misinterpreted if there is a flaw in the use of punctuation marks. Here is a list of punctuation marks and their different functions

FULLSTOP/PERIOD (.): This is used:

1. At the end of a sentence or a declarative statement

Examples

I am a girl.

That is where he lives.

2. After an abbreviation

Example

Jan. Feb.

COMMA(,): The comma is used in the following ways:

1. After a transitional phrase (e.g. However, it is…)

2. After an interjection (e.g. Yes, I know…)

3. Before a conjunction (e.g. …the end, but only when…)

4. To replace brackets (e.g. Simon, the last man, saw…)

5. In lists (e.g. egg, milk and butter)

6. With a long subject (e.g. A, B and C, are required…)

7. With numbers (e.g. 2,232)

8. Separation of two complete sentences (e.g., We went to the movies, and we went to the beach)

THE SEMICOLON (;) :

1. It is used to connect two independent clauses (e.g., He cried; he knew she hurt him intentionally)

A COLON (:) 

1. The first is after a word introducing a quotation, an explanation, an example, or a series.

2. It is also often used after the salutation of a business letter.

3. Time – It is used to separate out the hour and minute. (e.g., 17:35)

Dash­ (_) It is used to:

1.  To extend a sentence (e.g. …one trait – bravery.)

2. To replace brackets (e.g. Simon – the last man – saw…)

Hyphens (-)

1. In compound adjectives (e.g. Two-seater bus)

2. in compound nouns (e.g. Cooking-oil)

3. In prefixes (Ex-President)

Brackets [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][], Braces {}and Parentheses()

Brackets [] are the squared off notations ([]) used for technical explanations. Your Dictionary uses them when you look up word definitions. At the bottom of each definition page, brackets surround a technical description of where the word originated.

Parenthesis () are curved notations used to contain further thoughts or qualifying remarks. However, parentheses can be replaced by commas without changing the meaning in most cases. For example: John and Jane ( who were actually half brother and sister ) both have red hair.

Braces {} are used to contain two or more lines of text or listed items to show that they are considered as a unit. They are not commonplace in most writing, but can be seen in computer programming to show what should be contained within the same lines.

Apostrophe, Quotation Marks and Ellipses

1. An apostrophe (‘) is used to indicate the omission of a letter or letters from a word, the possessive case, or the plurals of lowercase letters.

Examples

That is Hanifah’s dog

2. Omission of letters from a word: An issue of nat’l importance.

Quotations marks ( “” ) are a pair of punctuation marks used primarily to mark the beginning and end of a passage attributed to another person and repeated word for word. They are also used to indicate meanings and to indicate the unusual or dubious status of a word.

Example

I quote “This is a grievous matter”

Exclamation Mark !

The exclamation mark or exclamation point is a punctuation mark usually used after an interjection or exclamation to indicate strong feelings or high volume (shouting), and often marks the end of a sentence.

Examples

Hey, look there!

Drop that object immediately!

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