LESSON II. PUNCTUATION MARKS 3. THE EXCLAMATION POINT (!

)
- Marks the end of an exclamatory sentence
- Punctuation marks are symbols that aid the
or follows an interjection to add emphasis
clarity and comprehension of written
and urgency.
language. Punctuation is akin to telling the
Example: "Watch out for that tree!"
reader when to take a breath, ensuring
comprehension and conveying feelings
4. THE INTERROBANG (?!)
effectively.
- A combination of a question mark and an
exclamation point, emphasizing statements
that evoke wonderment and strong
1. USES OF PERIOD (.) emotional responses.
- End of a sentence: Indicates the end of a Example: "She did what?!"
sentence not otherwise ended by a
question mark, exclamation point, or 5. USES OF COMMA ( , )
abbreviation. It can also indicate the end of - A comma is customarily used to indicate a
an incomplete thought injected into a brief pause. Here are its various uses:
narrative.
A. Separating Elements Within a Sentence:
- Example: "As the car turned the corner, she  The comma is used to:
let out a scream. Then she fainted." - Separate elements within a
- Abbreviations: Indicates an abbreviation, sentence.
though optional in some cases. - Follow the opening of an informal
- Outlines: Optionally used after letters or letter.
numbers designating sections and - Follow the closing of any letter.
subsections. - Separate the elements in a date.
- Numericals: Used in numerical form, such as - Separate the elements in an
representing a decimal point within a address.
sentence. - Separate a person’s name from his
or her title.
2. THE QUESTION MARK (?) - Section off large numbers.
- To mark the end of an interrogative : Used
to end any sentence that asks a question, Examples:
including in a quotation or declarative
 "Here’s one you are going to have to think
sentence.
about," mother said, "it’s for your own
Example: "Is it time to leave?" she
good."
asked.
 There are a number of rules which recount
in great detail precisely how and when to
- Within a sentence: Optionally used to add
use a comma. Most of them can be
emphasis to a multiple query or within
condensed into three simple rules.
parenthesis to show doubt about preceding
information.
Example: "Do you want to do this in
three easy lessons, one hard one, or
not at all?"
Rules: Independent Modifiers:

1. Use a comma only when it is necessary to  Two or more independent modifiers which
assure that the message will not be modify the same member should be
misunderstood. separated by a comma.
2. Don’t use a comma if it is not necessary,
Example:
especially if it might obscure the meaning of
the sentence. - The station wagon drove down the long,
3. Never forget Rule #2. black, dusty, winding dirt road.

B. Comma in Quotations:
Tips for Usage:
 Use a comma to separate a direct quotation
 Separate dependent clauses and from its source unless it is superseded by
phrases which are incidental to the other punctuation.
main body of the sentence.
 Separate independent clauses in a Examples:
compound sentence, particularly if they - She said, "I want to see the play."
are long and divergent. - "May I go to the play?" she asked.
 Use a comma to separate a word which (Comma superseded by the question
interrupts the flow of a sentence, such mark.)
as a mind interjection or a connective
which modifies a clause even if it is at C. Opening and Closing of a Letter:
the beginning of a sentence. - Traditionally, the opening of an informal letter
 Do not interrupt the flow of thought or is followed by a comma, and the closing of any
split a clause by placing a comma letter is followed by a comma.
between the subject and its verb or
between the verb and its object. Examples:
 Do not use a comma to replace a - Dear John,
conjunction. - As you go through life, remember one
 Use a comma to follow the connective thing: The most humiliating criticism is
when a semicolon is used as the indifference.
conjunction.

Elements in a Series: 6. THE SEMICOLON ( ; )

- The semicolon is used to join two
 For the sake of clarity, words and clauses in independent clauses with or without a
a series need to be separated by commas. modifying connective.
Examples: Examples:
- The dress comes in four colors: aqua, pink, - Sharon has a managerial position; she
orange, or black. enjoys the rights and privileges which
- He set out to streamline the office, trim the go with the responsibility.
budget, and increase the output.
 - Sharon has a managerial position; there, Showing Possession:
she enjoys the rights and privileges
- The apostrophe is used with 's to
which go with the responsibility.
denote possession for nouns not ending
In place of a comma: There are situations which in 's.
call for a comma where the use of a semicolon
is preferred in the interest of clarity. Think of it
as a two-tier punctuation with the semicolon as Example: One man’s hat, many men’s hats,
the stronger element. that woman’s hat.
A sentence containing a combination of
incidental words, lists of words, clauses, or
phrases which require a comma before a - When a noun ends in 's, the apostrophe is
conjunction might be clearer if a semicolon used alone to indicate possession.
were used before the conjunction.

Example: Example: The pliers’ jaws, the scissors’ edge,

- We carefully planned the trip, packed Mr. Jones’ car.
the car and were ready to set out for
the campground; but our plans went
awry when the car, an old Buick with - Singular nouns ending in 's can either take an
failing brakes, refused to start. apostrophe 's or simply an apostrophe,
depending on personal preference.
A list of phrases or clauses is best separated by
semicolons, particularly if the clauses are
punctuated by commas. **Plurals for Symbols:**
Example: - Apostrophe 's is used to indicate the plural for
- Among the things we packed for the trip individual letters, numbers, and signs.
was the small, green tent; two sleeping
bags; a selection of fresh and freeze-
dried foods; the lantern, with fuel for Example: Mind your p’s and q’s, they are 6’s
two nights; an assortment of pots, and 7’s.
pans, and eating utensils; and a change
of clothes.
**Contractions:**
As with the comma, don’t overuse the
semicolon, and don’t hesitate to use it when it - Apostrophes are used in contractions to
clarifies your meaning. indicate omitted letters.

7. THE APOSTROPHE (‘)

- The apostrophe serves multiple
Example: don’t (do not), aren’t (are not),
purposes: indicating possession,
won’t (will not), haven’t (have not).
forming plurals for symbols, and
representing missing letters in
contractions.
**9. ABOUT QUOTATION MARKS (“ ”)**
 8. THE APOSTROPHE (‘)
- Used to show possession, indicate
Quotation marks are utilized for direct
plurals for symbols, and indicate missing
quotations, titles, and emphasizing special
letters in contractions.
words or phrases.
- Example: "One man’s hat; many
men’s hats."

Direct Quotations:

- Enclose exact words within quotation 9. ABOUT QUOTATION MARKS (“ ”)

marks. - Used to set off direct quotations, titles,
- She said, “I want to go, but only and special words or phrases such as
if we leave by dawn.” slang or technical terms.
- Example: She said, "I want to
go, but only if we leave by
- Quotation marks are omitted for dawn."
indirect quotations.
10. THE HYPHEN (-)
Punctuation within Quotations: - The hyphen is employed to connect
- Punctuation is placed before the closing parts of certain compound words and to
quotation marks. create unit expressions. Additionally, it
- John said, “The report is due indicates word division at the end of a
this week.” line.

Titles: Joining Compound Words:

- Titles of short works are set off by - Examples include mother-in-

quotation marks, while longer works are law, pre-Columbian, and weak-
italicized or underlined. heated.
- "The Great Gatsby" (short Creating Unit Expressions:
story), To Kill a Mockingbird
(novel). - Examples: Cock-of-the-walk,
holier-than-thou.
Extraneous Material in Quotes:
Word Division:
- Quotation marks can highlight slang,
technical terms, or nicknames within a - A hyphen is placed at the end of a
sentence. syllable to indicate that the word
- He used the term "be ready by continues onto the next line.
noon." The Dash:
Single Quotation Marks: - The dash signifies a break in sentence
- Used to set off a quotation within a flow, often for parenthetical remarks or
quotation. emphasis.
- Example: “I think she said, ‘Be - Example: When I passed the
ready by noon,’” Tom reported. house – the one at the end of
the block – it was empty.
 - There’s only one thing that can
save us – Superchicken.

11. PARENTHESES () AND BRACKETS []

- Parentheses and brackets serve distinct
purposes in punctuation.

Parentheses:

- Used to enclose incidental information

that would disrupt sentence flow.
- Example: We set out on July 27
(Susan’s birthday) to tour the
area.
- Also employed for confirming numbers,
enumerating items in a list, or indicating
lower-level subdivision in an outline.

Brackets:

- Used for inserting editorial commentary

to show that the material inserted is not
part of the original.
- Example: He said that they (the
Jones family) have only lived in
this area for six months.

- The letter mentioned, “their

[sic] inability to cope.”

12. Indicating Omissions – The Ellipsis:

- A series of three dots used to indicate
the omission of words, typically
followed by ending punctuation when
used at the end of a sentence.
- Example: She said, “The
report… is unacceptable.”