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The Main Punctuation Marks
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Here are the main punctuation marks in English grammar: Grammar Glossary

apostrophes (') Common Grammar Err

parentheses (round) ( ( ) )
Punctuation Lessons
parentheses (square) ( [ ] )

colons (:) Tests

commas (,)

dashes (–, —) More free grammar help...

ellipsis (...) Twitter (daily tips)

exclamation mark (!)

Facebook (daily tips)
hyphen (-)

periods (full stops) (.)

YouTube
question marks (?)
Email tips (weekly)
quotation marks("")

semicolons (;)
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grammar question.
Punctuation Use and Examples
Below is a handy summary of how each of the main punctuation marks is used. There are
easy examples as well as links to pages offering more detail and more examples.

Apostrophes

Apostrophes are used:

1. To show possession

one dog's kennel, two dogs' kennel

:
 2. In time expressions

a day's holiday, two weeks' pay

3. In contractions

can't, don't, isn't

Apostrophes are NOT used:

1. To show plurals

three dog's , two patio's

2. Randomly before the letter s

She like's cakes.

Read more about using apostrophes.

Colons

Colons are used:

1. To extend a sentence to expand on something previously mentioned in the sentence

I need just one personal trait: loyalty.

2. After an introduction

I've seen the following: rust, slime, and a rat.

3. In references, times, and titles

Read Genesis 1:1 before 09:00.

4. With quotations

He said: "Laugh at yourself first, before anyone else can."

Read more about using colons.

Fun Widget
Before we look at the other types of punctuation, here is a widget that shows 50 writing
mistakes involving punctuation:
:
 50 Punctuation Errors
Number 1/50
(Apostrophes Section)
< >

Correct the example

Choose a Category

An Explanation of the
Mistake
Using an apostrophe in a plural word

An Example of the
Mistake
Dog's look up to us, and cat's look
down on us. I prefer pig's – they
treat us as equal's.

Severity of the Mistake

Safe Meh Oops Eek

Commas

A comma is used:

1. After setting the scene at the start of a sentence

Now she is wiser, she understands.

2. After transitional phrases like However, Consequently, or As a result

However, I now agree with you.

:
 3. After an interjection

Crikey, it's true!

4. Before a conjunction joining two independent clauses

She likes pies, and she likes cakes.

5. As parentheses

Peter and John, who live next door, love my pies.

6. To separate list items

bread, honey, and jam

7. After a long subject if it helps the reader

A, B, C, and D, are essential qualifications.

8. In numbers

2,515

9. With the vocative case

I know your uncle, Sarah.

10. Before a quotation

She whispered, "I know."

Read more about using commas.

Hyphens

Hyphens are joiners. They are used:

1. To join the words in a compound adjective

seven-foot table, silver-service banquet

2. To join the words in compound nouns

paper-clip, cooking-oil

3. To join prefixes to words

:
 ultra-expensive, re-establish

Their main purpose is to show the joined words are a single entity (e.g., a single adjective
or a single noun). They are also useful to avoid ambiguity (e.g., a hyphen makes it clear
that a paper-clip is a clip for paper and not a clip made of paper).

Read more about using hyphens.

Parentheses (Round Brackets)

Round parentheses (round brackets) are used:

1. To insert extra information (often an afterthought, clarification, or expansion of a

recently mentioned idea)

Set in the 17th century, The Three Musketeers ("Les Trois Mousquetaires" in
French) is a novel by Alexandre Dumas.

2. To present a plural option with a singular one

Your guest(s) must leave before midnight.

Read more about using round parentheses.

Square Brackets

Square parentheses (square brackets) are used:

1. To make quoted text clearer by expanding on or replacing part of the quote.

If you don't like them [my principles], well, I have others.

2. To make it clear that terms like [sic] and [...] are insertions by the current author not
the originator.

In your statement, you wrote: "I appraised [sic] him of the situation at about 4
o'clock."

Read more about using square parentheses.

Period (Full Stop)

A period (.) (or full stop in the UK) is a punctuation mark used:
:
 1. At the end of a declarative sentence

I eat pies.

2. At the end of an imperative sentence (which is not forceful enough for an exclamation
mark)

Please use the bathroom upstairs.

3. In an abbreviation (including initialisms and contractions)

B.B.C., Prof.

Read more about periods (full stops).

Semicolons

Semicolons are used:

1. In lists when the list items contain commas

Peter, the officer in charge; Colin, the chef; and Heidi, my dog

2. To create a smoother transition between sentences, particularly when the second

starts with a phrase like however or as a result

It was freezing; however, we still enjoyed it.

3. Before a conjunction which merges two sentences containing commas

Yesterday, it was, to our surprise, sunny; but today, as expected, it's dull.

Semicolons are not used for introductions (e.g., I would blame one thing for my divorce;
beer. It should be a colon.)

Read more about using semicolons.

Quotation Marks

Quotation marks (or speech marks as they're also called) are used:

1. To show the exact words spoken or written

Reagan said: "You can tell a lot about a fellow's character by his way of eating
jellybeans."
:
 2. For the names of things like ships, books, and plays

I was certain the "Spruce Goose" was too heavy to fly.

3. To express the idea of alleged or so-called

(During the speech, his "mates" slipped out the side door.

Read more about using quotation marks.

Interactive Exercise
Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be
edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.

Show All the Questions

Q1
Select the right punctuation character for the yellow space.

There will be Mark, the chef Ted, the leader; and Mike, the scout.

A: Comma

B: Dash

C: Semicolon

Q2
Select the right punctuation character for the yellow space.

I know it and she knows it.

A: Apostrophe

B: Comma

C: Period (Full Stop)

:
 Q3
Select the right punctuation character for the yellow space.

He eats loads of pies

A: Comma

B: Period (Full Stop)

C: Apostrophe

How to print and send this test

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Show All the Questions

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test.

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See Also

How to use apostrophes

:
 How to use round parentheses (brackets)

How to use square parentheses (brackets)

How to use colons

How to use commas

How to use dashes

What is ellipsis?

When to use exclamation marks

How to use hyphen

Using periods (full stops)

When to use question marks

How to use quotation marks

How to use semicolons

Glossary of grammatical terms

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 More Cool Grammar Stuff

This short video explains a neat trick for learning, or even teaching, possessive
apostrophes:

Possessive Apostrophes Explained

Please follow us on YouTube. We're working hard to create more videos!

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