Punctuation Marks Explained PDF

1. Period (.) ========== - **Purpose**: Ends a declarative sentence or statement. - **Example**: \"I love reading books.\" - Also used in: ------------- - Abbreviations: \"Dr.\", \"Inc.\" - Decimal numbers: \"3.14\" 2. Comma (,) =========...

1. Period (.) ========== - **Purpose**: Ends a declarative sentence or statement. - **Example**: \"I love reading books.\" - Also used in: ------------- - Abbreviations: \"Dr.\", \"Inc.\" - Decimal numbers: \"3.14\" 2. Comma (,) ========= - **Purpose**: Separates items in a list, clauses, or phrases within a sentence. - **Example**: \"I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.\" - Also used in: ------------- - After introductory words or phrases: \"After lunch, we went for a walk.\" - Before conjunctions in compound sentences: \"I wanted to go, but I was too tired.\" - To set off non-essential information: \"My brother, who is a doctor, lives in New York.\" 3. Colon (:) ========= - **Purpose**: Introduces a list, explanation, or quotation. - **Example**: \"She brought three things: a pen, a notebook, and a camera.\" - Also used in: ------------- - Introducing a definition or elaboration: \"There's one thing I want: honesty.\" - In formal letters after the greeting: \"Dear Sir:\" 4. Semicolon (;) ============= - **Purpose**: Links two independent clauses that are closely related or separate items in a complex list. - **Example**: \"I have a meeting at 10 AM; I\'ll be late.\" - Also used in: ------------- - To separate items in a list where commas are already used: \"The countries I want to visit are France, Paris; Germany, Berlin; and Japan, Tokyo.\" 5. Em Dash (---) ============= - **Purpose**: Used to create a strong break or interruption in a sentence, often for emphasis or an abrupt change in thought. - **Example**: \"I finally found it---the book I\'ve been looking for!\" - Also used in: ------------- - To set off parenthetical information more dramatically than commas: \"She is--- let\'s face it---a genius.\" 6. En Dash (--) ============ - **Purpose**: Used to represent a range of values (e.g., time, dates) or connections between related things. - **Example**: \"The meeting is scheduled for 3:00--4:00 PM.\" - Also used in: ------------- - Connecting scores or spans: \"The score was 4--2.\" - To show a connection or contrast: \"The London--Paris flight.\" 7. Parentheses (()) ================ - **Purpose**: Enclose additional information, clarifications, or asides that are not essential to the main sentence. - **Example**: \"She finally answered the phone (after several attempts).\" - Also used in: ------------- - Inserting an abbreviation or acronym: \"The CEO (Chief Executive Officer) gave a speech.\" 8. Exclamation Point (!) ===================== - **Purpose**: Indicates strong feelings, excitement, surprise, or urgency. - **Example**: \"Wow! That was amazing!\" - Also used in: ------------- - To express a command or warning: \"Watch out!\" 9. Question Mark (?) ================= - **Purpose**: Used at the end of a direct question. - **Example**: \"What time is the meeting?\" - Also used in: ------------- - In rhetorical questions or uncertainty: \"Is he really coming?\"