Punctuation Punctuation | English Grammar for Class 9 PDF Download

Punctuation

Punctuation is the name for marks used in writing text. They are to help understanding and the correct reading. They include marks, not words, that help the structure of a sentence and help the reader understand or navigate that sentence.

The common punctuation marks used in English are:

• .  is a period or full stop
• , is a comma
• ? is a question mark
• ! is an exclamation mark
• ‘ is an apostrophe or single quote mark
• “ is a quotation mark/inverted comma
• : is a colon
• ; is a semicolon
• … is an ellipsis mark
• – is a hyphen
• – is an en dash
• — is an em dash
• ( ) are parentheses or curved brackets
• [ ] are brackets or square brackets.

Importance for Punctuation

• It helps the reader to know where sentences begin or end.
• They also can help you understand when to breathe or pause when reading a sentence.
• It makes writing and sentences clear, effective, and understandable.
• It helps to convey ideas to your reader by guiding them through your language, sentences, and thoughts.

Period or full stop (.)

A mark is used to end a sentence when the sentence is not a question or statement or it is used at the end of a complete declarative sentence.
Examples:

(1) The dog sat outside the door.
(2) I like to eat pizza very much.
(3) I have a very big teddy bear.
(4) She brought many fruits and vegetables from the market.
(5) My mother never allowed me to play video games.

Comma (,)
A comma is a punctuation mark used to help the reader by separating parts of a sentence. It sometimes corresponds to a pause in speech. In other words, it is used mainly to indicate a brief pause.
It is used to separate things in a list, two sentences with a conjunction, parts of the sentences, and to indicate a pause in a sentence or question.
Examples:
(1) Despite the fact it is raining, I still want to go to the zoo.
(2) My favorite sports are football, tennis, swimming, and gymnastics.
(3) Rita, Meena, and Rahul are excited to go on a school trip.
(4) He is a strong, healthy man.
(5) He walked all the way home, and he shut the door.

Question Mark (?)
The question mark is a punctuation mark that indicates an interrogative clause or phrase in many languages. The question mark is used at the end of a direct question. The main purpose of the question is to indicate that a sentence is a question. Direct questions often (but not always) begin with a wh-word (who, what, when, where, why).
Examples:
(1) What are you doing?
(2) Where were you going?
(3) What is your name?
(4) Where is my pen?
(5) How are you?

Exclamation mark (!)
It is used to show strong emotion at the end of a sentence or after an interjection.  It expresses high levels of emotion or excitement. Exclamations always begin with ‘what’ or ‘how’ and are usually punctuated by an Exclamation mark (!). It is also used at the end of short interjections such as “Wow!” or “Ouch!” and to draw attention to a fact or opinion
Examples:
(1) What a beautiful day!
(2) How well he listens!
(3) I am so angry right now!
(4) You are such a fool!
(5) How exciting this holiday has been!

Apostrophe (‘) mark
A contraction is a shortened form of a word (or group of words) that omits certain letters or sounds. In a contraction, an apostrophe represents missing letters. In other words, it is used to show possession, construct contractions and make odd plurals.
He would = He’d
I have = I’ve
They are = They’re
You cannot = You can’t
n’t = not

For most singular nouns, add apostrophe+s
For most plural nouns, add only an apostrophe
For plural nouns that do not end in s, add apostrophe+s
Examples:
(1) We met at John’s party.
(2) He doesn’t like to swim.
(3) The work is due to start in two weeks’ time.
(4) Who’s there in the backyard?
(5) He’s always on time.

Quotation Marks or Inverted commas (“)
Quotation Marks are used for set of speech, a quotation, a phrase or a word.
Examples:

(1) Ravi said, “I really like when it’s raining outside.
(2) He told her bonjour, “good day,” when they met.
(3) He said, “we don’t care.”
(4) He asked, “Will you be my friend?”
(5) The Policeman said “Stop”

Parentheses () 
Parentheses are used to set off additional information.
Examples:
(1) The Chief minister (and his assistant) traveled by private jet.
(2) The teacher (with her students) visited the library.
(3) Mohan (last year’s runner up) is expected to win this time.
(4) Employees ( and their spouse) are invited at the annual function.
(5) Nobody (including you) are allowed to come here.

Colon (:)
Colon is used after a complete statement to introduce a series of items.
Examples:
(1) I want the these items: butter, sugar and flour.
(2) There are three primary colors : red, green and blue.
(3) Never forget : think before you speak.
(4) The world is a stage : play your role well.
(5) I just want you to remember: monthly exam is on next Wednesday.

Semicolon (;) 
Semicolon is used to link two independent clauses that are closely related.
Examples:
(1) Call me tomorrow; you can give me an answer then.
(2) Come on friends; there is always solution to a problem.
(3) Rajesh is getting bald; his hair is getting thinner and thinner.
(4) Let’s go to the library; there are many books in it.
(5) You should stop eating so much junk food; you will have to go on a diet.

Ellipsis mark (…)
Ellipsis mark is used to indicate a pause or a trailing off of thought.
Examples:
(1) I don’t know…l’m not sure.
(2) “Yesterday… we voted the bill.”
(3) Jealousy… is a mental illness.
(4) Our proposal has been rejected…

Hyphen (-)
Hyphen is used to connect two words into a compound word.
Examples:
(1) truck-driver
(2) ice-cream
(3) sign-in
(4) mother-in-law
(5) brother-in-law