How to Correctly Use Punctuation in English

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-02 02:12

With the advent of the Internet and the rise of its slang and SMS, it is now easy to have doubts about the use of punctuation in English. Do you want to write a splendid essay or submit a clean and flawless project to your boss? If the answer is yes, correct punctuation is a must. Consider this article as a crash course in punctuation in the English language and start reading Step 1 below!

Steps

Part 1 of 8: Use Capitalization Correctly

Step 1. Always start a sentence with a capital letter

Unless you are an avant-garde poet, you will need to capitalize the first letter of each sentence without exception. Usually, the uppercase form of a letter is just a larger version of the lowercase, with a few exceptions, such as “q” and “Q”.

• Here is an example of a capital letter at the beginning of a sentence:

  S.he invited her friend over after school.

Step 2. Use capital letters for proper names and titles

Proper names are the specific names of persons, places and things. Titles, other types of proper names, refer to the official names of artistic works such as books, films, plays, names of institutions, geographical areas, and more. It can also be honors (Her Majesty, Mr. President, etc.).

• Multi-word titles and proper names should have all initials in capital letters, except short words such as the articles "the", "an", "and", etc. The first word of a title should still start with a capital letter.

• Here are some examples of initial capitalization in proper names and titles:

  G.enghis K.han quickly became the most powerful man in TOsia, if not the world.

  In her opinion, Queen R.oberta's favorite museum in the world is the S.mithsonian, which she visited during her trip to Washington, D.. C.., last year.

Step 3. Use capital letters for acronyms

An acronym is a word formed by the first letter of each word present in the name or title in full. They are usually used to shorten proper names which would be too cumbersome to report in full. Sometimes the letters of an acronym are separated by periods, although this is not always the case.

• Here is an example of acronyms consisting of capital letters:

  The CIAand the NSAare just two of the USA's many intelligence agencies.

Part 2 of 8: Point

Step 1. Use a full stop to indicate the end of a sentence

Each period contains at least one point ".", The final one. This "dot" is used to signal the end of a declarative sentence, which states a fact, expresses or describes an idea. Most of the sentences are just declarative.

• Here is an example of a full stop used correctly at the end of a sentence:

  The accessibility of the computer has increased tremendously over the past several years.

Step 2. Use a question mark (“?

”) To close an interrogative sentence, that is a question. Use it at the end of all your questions, queries and requests.

• Here is an example of a question mark used correctly at the end of a sentence:

  What has humanity done about the growing concern of global warming?

Step 3. Use an exclamation point ("

"also called" exclamation mark "or" shout mark ") for exclamation sentences. Indicates excitement or strong emphasis in the sentence that precedes it to close an exclamation, but is also used for short expressions of intense emotion that are often only one long word.

• Here are two examples of an exclamation point used correctly at the end of a sentence:

  I can't believe how difficult the exam was!

  Eek! You scared me!

Part 3 of 8: Comma

Step 1. Use a comma to indicate a break or pause within a sentence

The comma (",") is a very versatile punctuation mark - there are dozens of situations that may require the use of a comma within your writing. Perhaps the most frequent use of commas is used to communicate additional information on the subject.

• Here is an example of commas used to create a pause within a sentence:

  Bill Gates, CEO of Microsoft, is the developer of the operating system known as Windows.

Step 2. Often used to indicate a series of elements

Usually, commas are written between each element and the next and between the penultimate and the conjunction.

• However, many writers omit it before the conjunction (called "serial comma" or "Oxford comma"), because conjunctions like "and" can make clear the meaning of the list with or without a preceding comma.

• Here are two examples of commas used in a list of items, one with an Oxford comma and the other without.

  The fruit basket contained apples, bananas, and oranges.

  The computer store was filled with video games, computer hardware and other electronic paraphernalia.

Step 3. Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives that describe a noun

Sometimes, multiple adjectives are used in a row to describe a single subject with multiple qualities. This use is very similar to that of separate elements in a list, with one exception: it is wronginsert a comma after the final adjective.

• Here are some examples of the correct and incorrect use of the comma to separate adjectives:

  CORRECT - The powerful, resonating sound caught our attention.

  NOT CORRECT - The powerful, resonating, sound caught our attention.

Step 4. Use a comma to separate a geographical area from another, contained within the first

Specific geographical areas are normally cited starting from the most precise place and then proceeding with the names of the most generic areas. For example, you could refer to a specific city by naming the city itself, followed by the state it is in, followed by the country, and so on. Each geographic descriptor is followed by a comma. Note that, if the sentence continues, commas are also used after the last geographical area mentioned.

• Here are two examples of the correct use of the comma when used for naming geographic areas:

  I am originally from Hola, Tana River County, Kenya.

  Los Angeles, CA, is one of the largest cities in the United States.

Step 5. Use a comma to separate an introductory sentence from the rest of the sentence

An introductory sentence, usually prepositional, briefly introduces the context, but is not part of the predicate or subject of the period. It should be separated from the main clause by a comma.

• Here are two examples of sentences containing introductory sentences separated from the rest of the sentence by commas:

  After the show, John and I went out to dinner.

  On the back of my couch, my cat's claws have slowly been carving a large hole.

Step 6. Use the comma to separate two independent clauses, each of which preserves the original meaning of the whole period

If your sentence contains two independent clauses separated by a conjunction (such as and, as, but, for, nor, so or yet), put the comma before the conjunction.

• Here are two examples of sentences that contain independent clauses:

  Ryan went to the beach yesterday, but he forgot his sunscreen.

  Water bills usually rise during the summer, as people are thirstier during hot and humid days.

Step 7. Use a comma when addressing someone directly

When you call someone's attention by saying their name at the beginning of a sentence, separate their name from the rest with a comma. Note that this comma is somewhat difficult to encounter in writing, as it is normally used only while speaking. In writing, it is more common to indicate the person to whom one speaks by other methods.

• Here is an example:

  Amber, could you come here for a moment?

Step 8. Use a comma to separate direct quotes from the sentence that introduces them

A comma should always be used after the last word preceding the statement introduced by the context or by the description given by the rest of the sentence. On the other hand, it is not necessary to use a comma for an indirect proposition - in other words, if you are paraphrasing the meaning of a statement without precisely recreating the sentence. Furthermore, usually, the comma is not necessary if you are not quoting the whole statement but only a few words.

• Here is an example of a direct quote that requires a comma:

  While I was at his house, John asked, "Do you want anything to eat?"

• Here is an example of an indirect statement that doesn't require a comma:

  While I was at his house, John asked me if I wanted anything to eat.

• Here is an example of a "partial" direct quotation which, due to its brevity and its use within the sentence, does not require a comma:

  According to the client, the lawyer was "lazy and incompetent."

Part 4 of 8: Semicolon and Colon

Step 1. Use a semicolon to separate two propositions that are related but independent

The use of this punctuation mark is similar, but not identical, to that of the period. A semicolon marks the end of an independent statement and the beginning of another within a single sentence. Note that if two clauses are very long or complex, it is better to use a instead point, that is period(full stop).

• Here is an example of correct use:

  People continue to worry about the future; our failure to conserve resources has put the world at risk.

Step 2. Use a semicolon to separate a complex series of elements

Usually, these are listed and separated by commas, but for lists where one or more elements require comments or explanations, it is best to use semicolons in conjunction with commas to prevent the reader from getting confused. Use semicolons to separate the elements and their explanations in the list from each other - use a comma to separate an element from its explanation and vice versa.

• Here is an example of semicolons being used correctly in a list whose meaning might otherwise be ambiguous:

  I went to the show with Jake, my close friend; his friend, Jane; and her best friend, Jenna.

Step 3. Use a colon (colon) to introduce a list

Be careful, however, not to use a colon when expressing an idea that requires you to list one seriesof elements. They are two similar but distinct things. Usually, the terms following or "below" suggest the use of a colon. Use them only after a complete sentence that ends with a name.

• Here is an example of a colon used correctly:

  The professor has given me three options: to retake the exam, to accept the extra credit assignment, or to fail the class.

• Here, however, is a use not correct:

  The Easter basket contained: Easter eggs, chocolate rabbits, and other candy.

Step 4. Use a colon to introduce a new concept or example

The colon can also be used after a descriptive sentence or an explanation that implies that the following information will be precisely the thing described or explained. It may be helpful to think of this use to "introduce a list that contains only one element".

• Here is an example of the colon used correctly:

  There's only one person old enough to remember that wedding: grandma.

Step 5. Use a colon to separate parts of a title

Some works of art, especially books and films, have long and fragmented titles. In these cases, any title following the first is called a “subtitle”. Use a colon at the end of each "part" of the title to separate each subtitle from the rest.

• Here is an example of a colon used in this way to split two very long titles into parts:

  Fred's favorite movie was The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, though Stacy preferred its sequel, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

Part 5 of 8: Dash and Dash

Step 1. Use a hyphen when you want to add a prefix to some words

The aim is to make the word easier to read. For example, if I wanted to remove the hyphen from a word like re-examine, it would reexamine, which would confuse the reader. However, some words do not require a hyphen to separate the prefix from the word, such as restate, pretest and undo. If unsure, use the dictionary.

• Here is an example of the correct use of the hyphen:

  Cara is his ex-girlfriend.

Step 2. Use more hyphens when creating words made up of smaller terms

An example are gold-plated, radar-equipped or one-size-fits-all. To build a long, descriptive word made up of two or more terms, add dashes to separate them from each other.

• Here is an example of a hyphen used in a compound word:

  The up-to-date newspaper reporters were quick to jump on the latest scandal.

Step 3. Use a hyphen when writing numbers in the form of words

Use it when you spell out numbers under one hundred. Be careful when writing numbers above one hundred - if the number is used as an adjective, the hyphen must be added, as all compound adjectives contain it (This is the one-hundredth episode.). However, you should only put it if a number less than 100 appears in a larger number, for example He lived to be one hundred twenty-one.

• Do not use "and" when writing numbers, for example in "The amount is one hundred and eighty". This is a common mistake in the United States and Canada, where "and" is usually omitted. Elsewhere, in English-speaking countries, however, "and" may be included.

• Here are two examples of dashes used in numbers below and above one hundred, respectively:

  There are fifty-two playing cards in a deck.

  The packaging advertised one thousand two hundred twenty-four firecrackers, but it only contained one thousand.

Step 4. Use a dash to create a short break within a sentence

The dash ("-") is just longer than the hyphen and is used to signal a sudden change in thought, an additional comment or a significant limitation within the proposition. It is also used to reach a parenthetical sentence, as for a further clarification, which however should be relevant to the proposition. You can still use parentheses. Keep in mind that the rest of the sentence should flow naturally.

• To assess whether the use of a dash is appropriate, try to remove the statement contained within it from the sentence. If the sentence seems disjoint or doesn't make any sense, then you'd better review it rather than use the dash.
• In British English there should be spaces before and after the dash.

• Here are two examples of proper use:

  An introductory clause is a brief phrase that comes - yes, you guessed it - at the beginning of a sentence.

  This is the end of our sentence - or so we thought.

Step 5. Use a hyphen to divide the word between two lines, ie to go to the end

Although not widely used today, the hyphen ("-") was once a fairly common punctuation mark on typewriters, used to break a word down into two lines. This system is still present in some books, although computer writing programs have made this much rarer.

• Here is an example where the hyphen is used to break a word into two pieces to break:

  No matter what else he tried, he just couldn't get the novel's elect- -rifying surprise ending out of his head.

Part 6 of 8: Apostrophe

Step 1. Use the apostrophe together with the letter s to indicate possession

The apostrophe (" '") has many uses to indicate the concept of possession. Be careful to distinguish the apostrophe with singular or plural nouns. A singular name will use the apostrophe before the" s "('s), while the plural version of the name will take an apostrophe after the "s" (s'). There are several exceptions listed below.

• Keep in mind the nouns that are considered plurals, children and people, with which you should use 's even if they are in the plural.
• Also pay attention to pronouns that are already possessive and do not require apostrophes, such as hers and its (it's is only used as a contraction of it is and it has). Their is a possessive adjective without an apostrophe or s, but when it's a pronoun it becomes theirs.

• Here is an example of the use of the apostrophe to demonstrate possession with a singular name:

  The hamster 's water tube needs to be refilled.

• Here is an example of the use of the apostrophe to demonstrate possession with a plural name:

  In the pet store, the hamsters 'bedding needed to be changed.

• Here is an example of the use of the apostrophe to demonstrate possession with a plural name that does not end with "s":

  These children 's test scores are the highest in the nation.

Step 2. Use the apostrophe to combine two words to create a contraction

For example, cannot becomes can't, "it is" becomes "it's", you are becomes you're, and they have becomes they've. In each contraction, the apostrophe replaces the letters omitted from one or both words.

• Make sure you use the possessive pronoun your and the contraction you're for their specific and distinct uses - it's one of most common grammatical errors with which you get confused!

• Here is an example of apostrophes used for a contraction of it is and a singular noun with possession, while they are correctly omitted for possessive pronouns (hers, theirs, its):

  Friends of hers explained that it'sher idea, not theirs, to refill the hamster 's water tube and change its bedding.

Step 3. Use a single quotation mark within a regular quote to indicate a nested statement

Single quotes, nearly identical to apostrophes, are used to separate quotes from others surrounding them. Use them with caution - always make sure that each quotation mark is paired with a corresponding one at the end of the quote.

• Here is an example of a nested quote:

  Ali said, Anna told me, 'I wasn't sure if you wanted to come! '"

Step 4. Do not use apostrophes with an s to create a plural noun from a singular one

This is a very common mistake and should be banned. Remember that apostrophes are used to demonstrate possession and not that you are dealing with a plural.

• Here are examples of correct and incorrect use of the apostrophe:

  CORRECT- apple → apples

  INCORRECT- apple → apple's

Part 7 of 8: Slash

Step 1. Use the slash to separate and from or, when appropriate

The slash ("/") of phrases such as and / or suggests that the options described are not mutually exclusive.

• Here is an example of correct use:

  To register, you will need your driver's license and / or your birth certificate.

Step 2. Use slash when quoting songs from songs and cleanup to denote a line break

This single is especially useful when it is impractical to recreate the original formatting of a song poem. Using the slashes in this way, you need to make sure you add spaces between one and the other.

• Here is an example of the use of slashes to indicate a line break in a song:

  Row, row, row your boat / Gently down the stream. /Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, /Life is but a dream.

Step 3. Also use the slash to replace the conjunction and to join two names

By doing so, you suggest that the options listed are both of equal importance, especially if you want to place great emphasis where simple conjunction would be insufficient. This mode also serves to avoid confusing the reader. You can do the same with or and his / her. However, you shouldn't use this symbol to separate two independent clauses.

• Here are some examples of when to use and not to use slash in such contexts:

  CORRECT

  "The student and part-time employee has very little free time." →

  "The student /part-time employee has very little free time."

  INCORRECT

  "Do you want to go to the grocery store, or would you prefer to go to the mall?" →

  "Do you want to go to the grocery store / would you prefer to go to the mall?"

Part 8 of 8: Various Punctuation Symbols

Step 1. Use quotation marks (") to insert a direct quote, either from speech or from a written source

Generally speaking, quotation marks are used to denote that the information is a quote. In other words, if you are recreating someone's verbal speech or if you are simply rewriting something written elsewhere, you will use quotation marks.

• Here are two examples of the use of quotation marks:

  "I can't wait to see him perform! "John exclaimed.

  According to the article, the value of the dollar in developing nations is "strongly influenced by its aesthetic value, rather than its face value. "

Step 2. Use parentheses to clarify

They are often used to explain something that cannot be deduced from the rest of the sentence. By using brackets ("()"), you need to make sure you include the sentence period after closing the brackets, unless the brackets contain the entire sentence. Note that sometimes parentheses and commas can be used interchangeably.

• Here is an example of parentheses used to specify a clarification:

  Steve Case (AOL's former CEO) resigned from the Time-Warner board of directors in 2005.

Step 3. Use parentheses to indicate an afterthought

They can also be used to contain additional information to the sentence they are part of. If so, it may be unsure when it is better to use parentheses or to start a new sentence instead. A good rule of thumb is to use parentheses for short additions and jokes, but not for complex ideas.

• Here is an example of parentheses used to express an afterthought. Note that after the last parenthesis there is a full stop - and not before the opening parenthesis. Also note that, in this case, you could not replace the parentheses with a comma, while a period or a semicolon might work:

  You will need a flashlight for the camping trip (don't forget the batteries!).

Step 4. Use parentheses for personal comments

A further use of parentheses to contain writer's comments directed to the reader. Usually, comments placed in parentheses refer to the previous sentence. As we said before, the shorter and simpler you are, the better. If you have to insert longer or numerous pieces, it is usually best to start a new sentence.

• Here is an example of parentheses used as a personal comment:

  Most grammarians believe that parentheses and commas are always interchangeable (I disagree).

Step 5. Use square brackets ("") to indicate editor's note

You can also use them to clarify or revise a direct quote, so that it relates to your writing. These particular brackets are often used to understand the term "sic" (thus, so in Latin), suggesting that the previous word sentence was written "as is", with an error being displayed.

• Here is an example of square brackets used for clarification within a speech. Note that, in this case, "It was absolutely devastating!", for example, it could be the original quote:

  "[The blast] was absolutely devastating," said Susan Smith, a local bystander at the scene of the incident.

Step 6. Use curly brackets ("{}") to denote a numeric set in mathematics

Although very rare, they can also be used in a normal writing context to indicate a set of equal and independent choices.

• Here are two examples of the use of braces - note that the second is extremely rare:

  The set of numbers in this problem are: {1, 2, 5, 10, 20}

  Choose your favorite utensil {fork, knife, spoon} and bring it to me.

Advice

• There are exceptions to the dash and dash rule. When making compound words, when one of the terms is itself composed of two others, you must use a hyphen (-) rather than a dash, as in "He took the Paris – New York route". Hyphens are also used between numbers, such as page numbers or years, to denote a range ("A discussion on personal finance is found in pages 45–62").
• Many grammar experts believe that parentheses and commas are often interchangeable when handling information. Sometimes it is true, but in some cases a pair of parentheses is more suitable, as when you want to indicate a personal thought.
• Hyphens are usually considered informal. They can usually be replaced by a couple of parentheses or even commas. However, it is better to limit the frequency of hyphens in a writing: they should be reserved to exclusively emphasize no more than a couple of important points.
• If you decide to delete a serial comma, you must always make sure that the meaning of the sentence can make sense even without it. Think of the classic example of a sentence where the serial comma is needed: "My heroes are my parents, Mother Teresa and the Pope."
• In formal writing, try to avoid the excessive use of question and exclamation marks. Most of your sentences should be declarative.
• If you write in a professional capacity, be sure to follow any guidelines or style provided by your employer. In some cases, their rules may be at odds with those you read here or elsewhere and always take precedence. For example, some companies use the listing comma (a, b, and c), while others do not (a, b and c).
• While dashes and parentheses have similar uses, remember that parentheses have a stronger connotation.

• The place of punctuation marks before or after the closing of the quotation marks can vary.

  • English Americanalways puts full stops and commas inside ofquotes, "like so."English British generally places full stops and commas after the quotes, "like so".

  • The semicolon and colon always go out by quotation marks, "like so";

  • Question and exclamation marks vary depending on the context: if the entire sentence is a question and the quote is a word or phrase at the end of the sentence, then the question mark goes outside the quotation marks. If the entire sentence is declarative and the quote is a question, then the question mark goes inside the quotation marks.

    • Do you like to watch "The Office"?
    • He shouted, "Where do you think you're going?"
  • Don't be afraid to insert short sentences in your writing by dividing the long sentences with several points. Your reader will appreciate your clear, concise writing of shorter sentences more than a one-page paragraph with 20 words per sentence.
  • If you think the sentence seems to drag on, find a way to add a comma or two to make it easier for the reader. If a period becomes too long, you'd better break it down into two or more propositions.

  Warnings

  • NOT use punctuation only to seem more cultured: use it well, without overdoing it.
  • Although the appropriate use of English punctuation can help you write more fluently, generally creating a more "intelligent" appearance, don't overdo it. Rather than adding unnecessary commas and apostrophes, it is better to omit them.
  • Try to distinguish between the punctuation rules of the different languages, do not get confused with the Italian ones. And always remember that punctuation is closely linked to the meaning of the text.