Punctuation | Course for UPPSC Preparation - UPPSC (UP) PDF Download

The importance of punctuation equals, if not slightly surpasses, that of the words chosen, sentence structure, and the content being conveyed. Punctuation denotes the system enabling writers to signal sentence endings, brief or extended pauses, as well as to indicate questioning, explanation, or the inclusion of additional information. As authors communicate indirectly with their audience, punctuation becomes the sole means through which readers perceive the intended expression.
According to the Oxford Learner's Dictionary, punctuation is described as "the marks used in writing to divide sentences and phrases; the system of using these marks." The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as "the act or practice of inserting standardized marks or signs in written matter to clarify the meaning and separate structural units." The Cambridge Dictionary characterizes punctuation as "the use of special symbols to add to writing, separating phrases and sentences to indicate questions, etc." Additionally, the Collins Dictionary states that punctuation involves using symbols like full stops, commas, or question marks to separate written words into sentences and clauses.

The Punctuation Marks in English Grammar

• Period/Full stop
• Comma
• Colon
• Semicolon
• Apostrophe
• Quotation marks
• Hyphen
• Dash
• Parentheses
• Slash
• Exclamation mark
• Question mark
• Ellipsis

It's crucial to acknowledge that using capital letters and spaces is also an integral facet of punctuation.

Using Punctuation in Sentences – Examples