What is Puntuation? | Basic Grammar for IELTS PDF Download

What is Punctuation?

Punctuation is a set of symbols used in writing to indicate pauses and separate different parts of sentences. These symbols help readers understand the intended meaning of written communication by providing structure and clarity. Essentially, punctuation involves correctly inserting marks or symbols to enhance the readability and comprehension of written text.

Punctuation Examples

• Using a period (.) to end a sentence.
• Employing a question mark (?) for interrogative sentences.
• Indicating strong emotion with an exclamation mark (!).
• Separating items in a list with commas (,).
• Clarifying a list or introducing a quote with a colon (:).
• Linking independent clauses with a semicolon (;).
• Adding emphasis or setting off information with a dash (-).
• Connecting compound words with a hyphen (-).
• Enclosing additional information within brackets ([]).
• Grouping related elements with braces ({}).
• Highlighting information with parentheses ().
• Showing possession or contraction with an apostrophe (').
• Quoting speech or text with quotation marks ("").
• Indicating omitted text with an ellipsis (...).

Types of Punctuation Marks

There are 14 primary punctuation marks utilized in the English language. These include:

• Period (.)
• Question Mark (?)
• Exclamation Mark (!)
• Comma (,)
• Colon (:)
• Semicolon(;)
• Dash (–)
• Hyphen (-)
• Brackets []
• Braces ({})
• Parentheses ( )
• Apostrophe (‘)
• Quotation Mark (" ")
• Ellipsis (... )

Punctuation Marks Chart

The Punctuation Marks Chart provides a comprehensive overview of various punctuation marks along with their types and examples. Let's delve into each punctuation mark to understand its usage better:

(a) Period (.)

The period, denoted by a dot (.), is used to indicate the end of a sentence.

Example: My name's Beth and I was 18 in July.

(b) Question Mark (?)

The question mark (?), typically used at the end of a question, indicates an interrogative sentence.

Example: "Have you a pen I can borrow?" she asked.

(c) Exclamation Mark (!)

The exclamation mark (!) is employed to denote strong feelings or exclamatory statements.

Example: What a lovely view you have here!

(d) Comma (,)

A comma (,) is used to separate elements within a sentence or to create pauses.

Example: We purchased some cheese, and we purchased some fruit.

(e) Colon (:)

A colon (:) is utilized to introduce a list or to separate clauses.

Example: You have two choices: finish the work today or lose the contract.

(f) Semicolon (;)

The semicolon (;) is used to connect closely related ideas within a sentence.

Example: My daughter is a teacher; my son is a doctor.

(g) Dash

Dashes include the en dash (–) and em dash (—), each serving specific purposes in writing.

Example: Princeton – New York trains (En dash)

Example: She gave him her answer — No! (Em dash)

(h) Hyphen (-)

The hyphen (-) is used to join words or parts of words.

Example: My eight-year-old boy loves reading.

(i) Brackets [ ]

Brackets [ ] are used to enclose additional information within a sentence.

Example: Was he [the defendant] there when you arrived?

(j) Braces ({})

Braces { } are used in mathematical expressions or to denote sets.

Example: 2 {1 [23-3]} = x.

(k) Parentheses ( )

Parentheses ( ) are used to provide extra information or to indicate an aside.

Example: The two brothers (Richard and Sean) were learning how to play guitar.

(l) Apostrophe (')

An apostrophe (') is used to indicate possession or to show contractions.

Example: Sally's hair was blond and curly.

(m) Quotation Mark (")

Quotation marks (") are used to indicate direct speech or to denote a quote.

Example: "Don't go outside," she said.

(n) Ellipsis (...)

An ellipsis (...) is used to indicate omitted sections within a text or to show a trailing off in speech.

Example: She began to count, "One, two, three, four..." until she got to 10, then went to find him.

Punctuation Examples

Some examples of punctuation are shared below: