Mastering the 14 Punctuation Marks in English Grammar

Understand different punctuations in English grammar and how they are used in sentences

Full stop.

Ellipsis.

Comma.

Colon.

Semi-colon.

Apostrophe.

Hyphen.

Inverted commas

Question mark.

Exclamation mark.

Brackets.

Dash.

Bullet point.

Slash.

.

Show where a sentence ends.

It is snowing outside.

Without her, we cannot go.

Can also be used to abbreviate words.

Cytoplasm.

Cytpo.

L.T.D

Limited liability.

V.S

Versus

...

Where some words are missing or left out on purpose. It can also show a dramatic pause in the speech.

I saw the book... It was older than I thought.

It can also shorten quotes when certain words are not needed.

“There comes a time when you need to study harder by reading more books”.

“There comes a time... To study hard”.

,

Combines sentences together especially with a linking word.

I am going to the shop, because I more tomatoes.

When you see them, send them my regards.

Separates words within a list.

She needs pens, books, paper and time.

You should take a thick coat, gloves and a scarf.

:

Connects a main clause with another clause, phrase or word that adds to the sentence or emphasis the point.

We are going to the shop: the big green one.

Introduces a list.

I will need: paper, ink and cardboard.

Introduces a quote.

He said to them: “don’t go there”.

;

Separates two clauses that are closely related without using a linking words.

I am going there; since I need to travel.

Have you seen this; it is very strange...

‘

Show that some letters are missing.

‘Ere (Here) it is!

When ‘ya (are you) going?

Shows what belongs to who.

Monie’s hat.

Is that Tom’s bike?

-

Combine two words into a compound word.

Door-stop.

Brother-in-law.

Used when writing numbers

Twenty-first option.

Seventy-sixth choice.

Joins certain prefixes to words

Un-able to do that.

Ex-wife

“ ”

Used to quote someone.

He told me he “was not coming”.

But, they said “it was not working”.

Highlights a word or phrase from something.

Look, it says “turn left.”

Why does that sign say “no entry”?

Shows the titles of things, such as books or films.

It is called “Lord of the Rings”.

I wrote a book called “Birthday on the Moon”.

?

Shows that a sentence has ended and that it is a question. Somebody wants to know the answer to something.

Who is he talking to?

Have you been to Mexico?

Since when have you been learning English?

!

Shows strong emotional expression.

He was angry!

She went that way!

Can be used with interjections to interrupt something.

Hey! I wanted that.

Wow! That was amazing.

Only use one at the end of a sentence.

Yes! ü

Yes!! û

( )

Can add information or clarify things within a sentence.

He is going to the shop (the big green one).

He wanted to see her (Monie) because he does not go there much.

The flight will be on 5th February (from Heathrow airport) and it will be an 11 hour flight (to Mexico).

-

Very similar to a hyphen, but it is not as long.

Can be used with interruptions or brief pauses.

Hey – how are you?

Wow – what is that?

Shows a range in numbers.

I will need around 2-3 of them.

We easily saw 10-20 there.

Shows routes and destinations.

I am going on the London-Paris train.

That is the London-Gibraltar flight.

Shows the items in a list.

We are going to need:

Paper.

Ink.

Machinery.

Helmets.

/

Shows that either word is applicable and can be used.

We will go to Mexico and/or Honduras.

You can go with/without that hat.