PUNCTUATION MARKS

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Content

1. Full stops
2. Commas
3. Question Marks
4. Exclamation Marks
5. Hyphens
6. Dashes
7. Colons
8. Semi-colons
9. Brackets
10. Apostrophes
11. Inverted Commas/ Quotation Marks
12. Ellipses
 1. Full Stops ( . )

The full stop is used:

- At the end of a sentence, unless a question mark or an
exclamation mark is required.
- After some abbreviations, e.g., A.D. = anno Domini

NB:
• The full stop must be omitted in abbreviations which include
the first and last letters of a single word, such as Mr, Mrs, Ms,
Dr and St.
• When your sentence ends with an abbreviation, do not
duplicate the full stop.
• When a word is abbreviated after the first few letters, put a full
stop after the abbreviation. (Example: Inc.)
• If full stops are used in acronyms or initialism, they should be
used after all the letters and not just the last one ( a.m., not
am. ).
 2. Commas ( , )
The comma is used:
• To mark off items on a list, e.g., We had chops, salad and fries for dinner. He was fat, friendly and
foolish.
• When addressing someone directly, e.g., Ms Anne, may I be excused?
• After yes or no, e.g., Yes, I agree.
• In direct speech :
- She said, “Yes, Mr Bloom, I’m Molly’s sister.”
- She said, “No, Mrs Bloom, I’m not Dan’s sister.”
- “Why are you angry, Madge? Said Lily.
- “I’m not angry, Lily”, said Madge, “but I’m disappointed.” (This sentence is a split quotation).
• To mark off a phrase at the beginning of a sentence, e.g., Grabbing an axe, the Indian charged the
strangers.
• After a signal (connective) word that introduces a sentence.
(e.g. Firstly, I would like to thank my parents.
However, she did not follow the rules.)
• To mark off words and phrases added to give more information about the subject, e.g., Miss Dix,
our music teacher, is on leave now.
• Before conjunctions such as and, but, therefore, etc. in compound sentences when the subject
changes.
 3. Question marks ( ?
)
Question marks are used:
• After direct questions.
• (e.g. Joan asked, “Are you going home, Viola?”
Joan asked Viola whether she was going home.

NB:
Note that the question mark is enclosed by inverted commas. Never place the question mark
outside the speech marks. No question mark is required in the second sentence – in indirect
or reported speech you drop the question mark.
 4. Exclamation marks
(!)
Exclamation marks are used:
• After exclamations and interjections.

• e.g. “Oh, what a horrible sight!”{an expression showing strong feeling}

“Ah! That’s lovely.”

“Catch! Oh, you’ve missed it!”

 5. Hyphens ( - )
The hyphen is a short line.
Here are some common ways to use a hyphen:
It links Prefixes to words. anti-dandruff shampoo
pre-school
The hyphen links two words or more to form compound well-deserved
words mother-in-law

Hyphens are also used as cardinals, ordinals and Twenty-one

fractions. Twenty-first
Two-thirds
It helps to differentiate meanings She had to re-make the dress.
The remake of The Lion King was incredible.
A hyphen is inserted if a prefix ends with a vowel and co-operation
the word joined to the prefix begins with the same re-examine
vowel, to help with spelling and pronunciation. no-one
It can also be used to join a noun to a gerund (a verb diamond digging
form functioning as a noun and ending in –ing) or to join letter-writing
a participle noun. fishing-rod
riding school
 5. Hyphens ( - )
Continued:

Hyphens are also used to break up words Punctuation can be very com-
when you have reached the end of a line. plex. Know your rules.
This must be done using syllables.
 6. dashes ( – )
The dash is a line slightly longer than the hyphen line.
A dash serves a similar purpose to a comma, colon or a semi-colon.
When reading a text, the pause for a dash is slightly longer than for a comma.

Here are some common ways to use a dash:

It separates parts of a sentence and forces us to There’s more to school than academic subjects – life-
pause, thereby focusing on the part that is to follow. skills, friendships and sportsmanship are gained alone
the way.
They are used to indicate parenthesis (additional Next week we are going to Port Elizabeth – the Windy
information) the same way a comma or brackets are City.
used.
The dash separates a comment or afterthought from I checked and there was no-one there – or so I
the rest of the sentence. thought!
It can be used to create a dramatic pause, leading to a I looked out the window and saw – a cat!
climax or anti-climax.
 7. COLONS ( : )
The colon is much stronger than a comma or a semi-colon. It should not be confused with a semi-
colon.

Here are some common ways to use a colon:

It shows that a list or idea is following I need to buy the following items: lettuce, tomatoes,
cucumber and carrots.
A colon is used in time expressions. It is 2:30.

A colon separates a sentence with 2 independent I have everything I need to go camping: now I’m just
clauses whereby the second clause provides waiting for my dad to fetch me.
additional meaning to the first.
It is used in emails or business letters or notes To:

Subject:
 8. SEMI-COLONS
(;)
The semi-colon has similar uses to a comma. It does not come to a complete stop like a full stop
does.
A semi-colon is stronger than a comma
Here are some common ways to use a semi-colon:
It can be used as a long pause that balances two She went by train; she would rather have flown.
equally important ideas.

It can indicate opposite ideas. In summer he runs; in winter he skates.

It joins two main clauses in the place of a conjunction. He worked hard for the test; he had nothing to fear.

A semi-colon may often be replaced by a full stop or by He worked hard for the test so he had nothing to fear.
the conjunctions and, but, so, for and although.
It can join two clauses using transitional words such Strong rains continue to fall; consequently, outdoor
as: however, otherwise, therefore, subsequently, in play has been cancelled.
addition, etc.
 8. SEMI-COLONS
(;)
Continued :

Semi-colons can be used in lists when items listed Back to school items you’ll need include: a sturdy
consist of phrases or clauses (more than one word). back-pack; a pencil case equipped with essential
stationery; a lunchbox.
 9. BRACKETS ( )
Brackets serve a similar purpose to s comma or a dash.

Here are some common ways to use a bracket:

Brackets are used to give an explanation or additional The Chihuahua (the smallest dog in the world) can fit
information and separate it from the rest of the in a teacup.
sentence.
It is often possible to use commas or dashes instead of The Chihuahua – the smallest dog in the world – can
brackets. fit in a teacup.
The Chihuahua, the smallest dog in the world, can fit in
a teacup.

Brackets are often used for dates of birth etc. as extra Louis Braille (1809-1852) was born near Paris and
information in sentences became blind when he was three.
 10. apostrophes ( ‘ )
The apostrophe has the following uses:

• To show possession (that something belongs to a person or animal).

Example : my uncle’s horse, my uncles’ horses (two or more uncles), the horse’s tail, the horses’
tails ( two or more horses), the woman’s hat, the women’s hats (two or more women), the
baby’s mouth, the babies’ mouths (two or more babies)

Note : Jesus’ words, Moses’ laws, for goodness’ sake, someone else’s books, Mother and
Father’s room, my brother-in-law’s house
 10. apostrophes ( ‘ )
Continued:

• To show that a letter or letters have been left out (omitted) in contractions, thus omission.

Learn: can’t – cannot they’re – they are

don’t- do not doesn’t – does not
I’ll – I shall (will) I’m – I am
didn’t – did not you’re – you are
wasn’t – was not he’s – he is
isn’t – is not I’ve – I have
we’ve – we have that’s – that is
what’s – what is where’s – where is
haven’t – have mustn’t – must not
hasn’t – has not won’t – will not
couldn’t – could not shan’t – shall not
wouldn’t – would not shouldn’t – should not
mayn’t – may not mightn’t – might not
you’ve – you have she’s – she is
10. apostrophes ( ‘ )

CAUTION!

Do not confuse its and it’s or whose and who’s!

*Its – is a possessive adjective e.g. My dog hurt its paw.

It’s – is a contraction ( shortening ) of it is or it has e.g. It’s raining

• Whose – is a possessive adjective or a possessive pronoun e.g. Whose book is this?

Who’s - is a contraction of who is or who has e.g. Who’s taken my hat?
 10. apostrophes ( ‘ )
Continued:

• In a few idiomatic phrases and phrases expressing time, space, etc.

Example : his money’s worth, at his wit’s end, a day’s journey, a dollar’s worth, two month’s
holiday, a three hours’ ride

Note : With the names of things (i.e., neither persons nor animals ) we use the word OF, e.g.,
the leg of the table (NOT the table’s leg), the mass of the bag (NOT the bag’s mass), the key
of the door (NOT the door’s key).
 11. Inverted commas/ quotation
marks ( “” )
Quotation marks or inverted commas can be double or single, but usually double quotation marks are
preferred.
Here are some common rules about how to use quotation marks:

Use double inverted commas for direct speech or a “I have never been to Norway ,” he said, “but I have
quote, and single inverted commas for direct speech or heard it described as ‘the Wales of the North’.”
a quote within that.
Use single inverted commas for titles that are not I, Robot contains nine short stories, of which ‘Little
whole publications: e.g. short poems, short stories, Lost Robot’ is my favourite.
chapters in books, songs, articles in periodicals. Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, from the album Night
Note: When writing the title of a full publication, at the Opera, was number one in 1975 and 1991.
underline it – if typing it, use italics.
If the direct speech would have required punctuation in “Bob ,” I asked, “do you like cheese?” OR “Bob, do you
its original form, place punctuation inside the quotation like cheese?” I asked
marks.
 12. ellipses( … )
An ellipsis is used to show that some text/words are missing.

Here are some common rules about how to use an ellipsis:

Do not surround an ellipsis with spaces …we shall fight on the beaches…we shall never
surrender.
It is a truth universally acknowledged…
Do not add square brackets around an ellipsis […]we shall fight on the beaches[…] = x

Use an ellipsis to indicate a trailing off in speech or We could do this…or maybe that…
thought. Calvin said, “What if it was really, really…”
“What did you do, Calvin?!” shouted Dad
Use an ellipsis when quoting, inside the quotation “Iron is a metal.
marks. “…dropped the eggs and ran away.”
“…a red glow…”
When using a partial quote as part of your The author uses words such as “ridiculous” and
substantiation, the ellipses may be dropped. “absurd” , which shows he has a negative opinion
about the topic.
 QUOTING
 Copy the words precisely as they are in the passage without leaving out any words that follow
each other, and without making any spelling or grammar errors.
 Use quotation marks. Failing to do so could cost you all your marks!
 If quoting a full sentence remember your capital letter and full stop.
(e.g. “Iron is a metal.”
 If quoting from the middle of a sentence to the end, do the following.
(e.g. “…dropped the eggs and ran away.”)
 If quoting from the middle of a sentence, but not to the end, do the following.
(e.g. “…a red glow…”)
 When quoting, it is important to reference where you quoted from. In a poem you would do so by
referring to the stanza or line. In a passage you usually refer to the paragraph you found it in,
and in a book the page number as well as the paragraph. Use brackets to do so.
(e.g. “…as cold as ice…”[par.4])

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