How to Use English Punctuation Correctly

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

With the advent of the internet age, the birth of internet slang and the growing use of SMS, many of us are starting to forget the basic aspects of punctuation in English. Do you want to write a great paper for one of your classes, or put together a regularly written proposal for your boss? If so, the use of correct punctuation is a must. Think of this article as a short course on English punctuation and take a look at Step 1 below to get started!

Step

Part 1 of 8: Using Capital Letters Correctly

Step 1. Always start sentences with a capital letter

Unless you're an avant-garde poet, or start sentences with a brand like "wikiHow" or "iPod," you'll need to capitalize the first letter of each sentence. Usually, the capitalized form of a letter is just the capitalized version of the letter, although there are exceptions (such as "q" and "Q").

• The following is an example of the correct use of capital letters at the beginning of a sentence:

  She invited her friend over after school.

Step 2. Use capital letters to start nouns and titles or titles

In addition to starting sentences, capital letters must be at the beginning of nouns and titles. Nouns are the official names of specific people, places, and things. Titles, which are a type of noun, refer to the official names of works of art such as books, films, theatrical plays, and so on, as well as the names of institutions, geographic areas and much more. Titles can also be honorary degrees (Her Majesty, Mr. President, etc.).

• Titles and nouns that are more than one word in length must be capitalized on each word, except for small words or words such as "the," "an," "and," etc. The first word of a title must be capitalized regardless of the wording.

• Here are some examples of capital letters used for nouns and titles or titles:

  Genghis Khan quickly became the most powerful man in Asia, if not the world.

  In her opinion, Queen Roberta's favorite museum in the world is the Smithsonian, which she visited during her trip to Wasington, D. C., last year.

Step 3. Use capital letters for acronyms

An acronym is a word formed from the first letter of each word in a long noun or title. Acronyms are often used to abbreviate long nouns that would feel awkward if they had to be printed in their entirety each time they were mentioned. Sometimes the letters of acronyms are separated by periods, although this is not always the case.

• Here are examples of acronyms made of capital letters:

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

Part 2 of 8: Using Punctuation at the End of Sentences

Step 1. Use a period to end sentences and declarative statements

Each sentence contains at least one punctuation mark – which is at the end of the sentence. The most common punctuation mark at the end of a sentence is a period ("."). This simple dot is used to mark the end of a declarative sentence. Most sentences are declarative – any sentence that states a fact or explains an idea or for example describes an idea, is a declarative sentence.

• Here is an example of a full period 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 end the question

A question mark ("?"), used at the end of a sentence, indicates that the sentence is an interrogative sentence – basically, a question. Use this punctuation at the end of all your questions and doubts.

• 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 to end an exclamation point

The exclamation mark ("!") gives the impression of excitement or a strong emphasis on the sentence behind it. An exclamation point is also used, appropriately, to end an exclamation – a short expression of strong emotion that is often only one word long.

• Here are two examples of exclamation marks used correctly at the end of sentences:

  I can't believe how difficult the exam was!

  Eek! You scared me!

Part 3 of 8: Using Commas

Step 1. Use a comma to indicate a pause or interval in a sentence

The comma (", ") is a very versatile punctuation mark – there are many examples that may require you to use a comma in your writing. Perhaps the most frequent use is to express the appositive – a pause in a sentence that encloses and adds information to the subject.

• Here is an example of a comma used to create a pause in a sentence:

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

Step 2. Use a comma when listing items in a series

Another very common use of commas is to separate items listed in order. Usually, a comma is written between each noun and between the second last noun and the conjunction.

• However, many writers omit the comma before the conjunction (called the Serial comma or "Oxford comma") because conjunctions such as "and" can usually make the meaning of the list clear with or without the preceding comma.

• Here are two examples of commas used in a series of written objects – one with a serial comma, the other without a serial comma.

  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 commas to separate two or more adjectives that describe nouns

Sometimes, the adjective multiple is used in one line to describe a single subject with many qualities. Using a comma is similar to using a comma to separate things in a sentence, with one exception – placing a comma after the last adjective is a error.

• The following are examples of correct and incorrect use of commas in separating adjectives:

  BENAR - The powerful, resonating sound caught our attention.

  SALAH - The powerful, resonating, sound caught our attention.

Step 4. Use commas to separate one geographic area from another that is located within it

The mention of a specific geographical place or area usually starts with the name of the most accurate location, then continues to locations outside it. For example, you might refer to a specific city by writing the name of the city itself, followed by the state in which it is located, followed by the country and so on. Each geo-descriptor is followed by a comma. Remember that a comma is also used after writing the last geographic area if the sentence is still continuing.

• Here are two examples of the correct use of commas when it comes to 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 the opening phrase from the rest of the sentence

An opening phrase (which usually consists of one or more prepositional phrases) opens a sentence and provides context briefly, but is not part of the subject or predicate of the sentence. Therefore, it must be separated from the main clause by a comma.

• Here are two example sentences with the opening phrase separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma:

  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 a comma to separate the two independent clauses

Having two independent clauses in a sentence means that you can separate the sentence into two different sentences but still keep the original meaning. If your sentence contains two independent clauses separated by a conjunction (such as and, as, but, for, nor, so, or yet), place a comma before the conjunction.

• Here are two examples of sentences that contain a self-contained clause:

  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 creating a direct greeting

When grabbing someone's attention by mentioning their name at the beginning of a sentence, separate the person's name and the rest of the statement with a comma. Keep in mind that commas are rarely found in written form because this is something that is usually only done while speaking. In writing, it is more common for writers to describe who is speaking to whom in other ways.

• Here is an example of a direct greeting:

  Amber, could you come here for a moment?

Step 8. Use a comma to separate the direct quote from the opening sentence

A comma must be added after the last word before a quote that is preceded by context or explanation given by another part of the sentence. On the other hand, the use of commas for indirect quotes no necessary – in other words, if you interpret the meaning of a quote without the use of precise words. In addition, commas are usually unnecessary if you are not quoting the entire 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's an example of an indirect quote 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 quote that, because of its brevity and use in sentences, does not require a comma:

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

Part 4 of 8: Using Colons and Semicolons

Step 1. Use a semicolon to separate two related independent clauses

Proper use of semicolons is similar to using full periods, but not identical. A semicolon indicates the end of one independent clause and the beginning of another independent clause in a single sentence. Remember that if the two clauses are very long or complex, it is better to use point.

• Here is an example of a semicolon used correctly:

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

Step 2. Use semicolons to separate complex sequences of objects

Usually, the items in a written list are separated by commas, but for a list where one or more items in it require comment or explanation, a semicolon can be used with a comma to prevent the reader from feeling confused. Use semicolons to separate items and their descriptions in the list – to separate items from their descriptions and vice versa, use commas.

• Here is an example of a semicolon used correctly in a list which, if not used, can be ambiguous in meaning:

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

Step 3. Use a colon to start a list

But be careful not to use a colon when expressing ideas that need mentioning series object. Both are similar, but different. Usually, the words "following" or "below" require the use of a colon. Use it only after a full sentence that ends with a noun.

• Here's an example of a colon properly used in this way:

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

• On the other hand, this is a wrong example:

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

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

A colon can also be used after a descriptive phrase or explanation to indicate that the next piece of information will be the thing being described or explained. It helps if you think of it like starting a list of only one object.

• Here is an example of a colon used appropriately in this way:

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

Step 5. Use colons to separate parts of the title

Some works of art, especially books and films, can have multiple titles. In this case, each title after the first title is called a subtitle. Use a colon at the end of each heading "section" to separate each subheading from the rest of the heading.

• Here's an example of a colon used in this way to halve a long title:

  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: Using Hyphens and Dashes

Step 1. Use a hyphen when adding a prefix to a word

The purpose of these hyphens is to make words easier to read. For example, if you leave a word without a hyphen, as in the word, re-examine, it will become reexamine, which will confuse the reader. However, some words do not require a hyphen to separate the prefix in a word, such as restate, pretest, and undo. Let the dictionary be your guide for knowing when to use a hyphen after a prefix.

• Here is an example of a good use of hyphens:

  Cara is his ex-girlfriend.

Step 2. Use hyphens when making compound words from smaller words

If you've ever written about anything with the words "gold-plated", "radar-equipped", or "one-size-fits-all", you've used hyphens. To make long, descriptive sentences from two or more compound words, use hyphens to separate the "parts" from each other.

• Here is an example of a hyphen used to create compound words:

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

Step 3. Use hyphens when writing numbers as words

Separate two words from any number under one hundred with a hyphen. Be careful spelling numbers over a hundred – if the number is used as an adjective, make sure to use a hyphen, because all compound adjectives use a hyphen ("This is the one-hundredth episode."). Otherwise, hyphens can only be used if there are numbers under 100 in a larger number, for example, "He lived to be one hundred twenty-one."

• Do not use "and" when writing numbers, such as "The amount is one hundred and eighty". This is a common error in the United States and Canada, where "and" is usually omitted. But in other English-speaking areas, "and" may be entered.

• Here are two examples of hyphens being used with numbers below and over a 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 dashes when creating brief interrupts in a statement

A dash ("--" or "-") is slightly longer than a hyphen and is used to convey a sudden change of mind, an additional comment, or a dramatic qualifier in a sentence. Hyphens can also be used to add statements that are usually enclosed in parentheses, for example for further explanation, but this must still be related to the sentence. Otherwise, use parentheses. Remember that the rest of the sentence should still flow naturally.

• To assess whether a dash is used correctly, try removing the statement within the dash from the sentence. If the sentence seems truncated or doesn't make sense, then you may need to correct it, instead of using dashes.
• There must be a space before and after the dash in British English.

• Here are two examples of proper use of dashes:

  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 hyphens to separate words between two lines

Although this usage is not common today, the hyphen ("-") was a common punctuation mark on typewriters, used when a long word had to be separated between two lines. This system is still seen in some books, although word processing programs on computers have made it less common.

• Here is an example of a hyphen used to separate a word that is divided by two by a new line:

  No matter what else he tried, he just couldn't get the novel's elec-

  trifying surprise ending out of his head.

Part 6 of 8: Using Apostrophes

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

Apostrophe (" ' ") has various uses to convey possessive context. Know the difference between using an apostrophe with a singular or plural noun. A singular noun will use an apostrophe before the "s" ('s), while the plural version will use an apostrophe after the "s" (s'). This utility has several conditions – see below.

• Be careful with nouns that are always considered plural, such as children and people - here, you should use 's even though the noun is plural.
• Also be aware of pronouns that already have possession and don't require an apostrophe, such as "hers" and "its" ("it's" is used only for the abbreviations of "it is" and "it has")."Their" already denotes possession without an apostrophe or "s", except as a predicate adjective, which becomes "theirs".

• Here are examples of apostrophes used to indicate possession with singular nouns:

  The hamster 's water tube needs to be refilled.

• Here are examples of apostrophes used to indicate possession with plural nouns:

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

• Here are examples of apostrophes used to indicate possession with plural nouns that don't end in "s":

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

Step 2. Use an apostrophe to combine two words to make an abbreviation

An abbreviation is a combination of two shortened words. For example, cannot becomes can't, "it is" becomes "it's", you are becomes you're, and they have becomes they've. In each abbreviation, the apostrophe replaces the missing letters of one or both words.

• Be sure to use the possessive pronoun with your and the abbreviation you're for different uses - the error between the two is one most common grammar mistakes!

• The following apostrophes are used for abbreviations of it is and singular nouns with a possessive context, which 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 single quotation marks in regular quotations to describe quotations within quotations

Single quotation marks, which look almost the same as signs with apostrophes, are used to separate the quotation from the rest of the quotations in its vicinity. Use it with care – always make sure that any quotation marks you use to start a quote in your sentence are matched with the appropriate mark at the end of the quote.

• Here is an example of a quote within a quote:

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

Step 4. Don't use apostrophes with s to make singular nouns plural

This is a very common mistake and should be avoided. Remember that apostrophes are used to indicate belonging – not to indicate something that is more than one.

• The following are examples of correct and incorrect use of apostrophes:

  CORRECT- apple → apples

  WRONG- apple → apple's

Part 7 of 8: Using Slashes

Step 1. Use slashes to separate and and or, when the context is appropriate

A slash (" / ") in a phrase like and/or gives the impression that the options described are independent of each other.

• Here is an example of a good use of and/or:

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

Step 2. Use slashes when quoting lyrics and poetry to indicate new lines

Slashes are especially useful when reordering a rhyme or song doesn't seem practical. When using slashes in this way, be sure to add a space between your slashes.

• Here's an example of a forward slash used to mark a new line 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 slashes to replace words and to join two nouns

By replacing and with slashes, you give the impression of equal importance to both options listed. Use the following substitutions without exaggeration to place a stronger emphasis where the word and may not be, and to avoid confusion for the reader. You can also do the same for or, as in his/her. However, you no You may use slashes to separate stand-alone clauses.

• Here's an example of how to use and how not to use slashes in this way:

  CORRECT

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

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

  WRONG

  "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: Using Various Punctuation Marks

Step 1. Use double quotation marks (") to include direct quotations, spoken by someone or taken from written sources

In general, quotation marks are used to indicate that the information is a citation. In other words, whether you're creating someone's words or simply rewriting something they wrote elsewhere, you're going to use quotation marks.

• Below are two examples of using quotation marks:

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

  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 explain

Parentheses are often used to describe something that cannot be inferred from other parts of the sentence. When using brackets (" () "), be sure to include a period after closing the brackets, except in cases where the entire sentence is enclosed in parentheses. Keep in mind that sometimes parentheses and commas can be used interchangeably.

• Here is an example of the brackets used for explanations:

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

Step 3. Use parentheses to indicate reflection

Parentheses can also be used to contain additional information in the sentence that surrounds it. In this case, the line between when to use parentheses and when is the best time to start a new sentence can become somewhat blurred. A good general rule of thumb is to use parentheses for additions and short jokes. Not a complicated idea.

• Here is an example of parentheses used for an afterthought. Remember that the period follows the last parenthesis - not before the first. Also keep in mind that replacing parentheses with commas may not be very appropriate here, while a full stop or semicolon might do:

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

Step 4. Use parentheses for personal comments

One additional use of parentheses is to include the author's direct comments to the reader. Usually, comments in parentheses refer to the previous sentence. As above, shorter and simpler sentences are better. If you need to elaborate very long or explain different parts of your writing, it is usually better to start a new sentence.

• Here is an example of the brackets used for private comments:

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

Step 5. Use square brackets to indicate the editor's notes in plain text

You can also use square brackets (" ") to explain or correct direct quotes to make your writing more interesting. Square brackets are often used to enclose the word "sic" (Latin for so), which gives the impression that the previous word or phrase was written "as is", with a deliberately pointed error.

• Here is an example of square brackets used for clarity in direct quotations. Remember that, in this case, "It was absolutely devastating!", for example, would probably be the actual quote:

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

Step 6. Use curly braces to show a series of numbers in math

While generally uncommon, curly braces (" { } ") can also be used in plain text to denote a set of independent, equivalent options.

• Here are two examples of using curly braces – keep in mind that the second example is very 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.

Tips

• The placement of punctuation before or after without closing quotes varies.

  • American English always puts periods and commas inside quotation marks, such as "like so." British English generally places a period and a comma after quotation marks, such as "like so", except in dialogue, where punctuation is enclosed in quotation marks: "like so," he said.
  • The semicolon and colon are always outside the quotation marks, such as "like so";

  • Question marks 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, the question mark is placed outside the quotation marks. If the entire sentence is a statement and the quote is a question, the question mark is placed inside the quotation marks.

    • Do you like to watch "The Office"?
    • He shouted, "Where do you think you're going?"
• Many grammarians believe that brackets and commas are often interchangeable when providing information. While this is true, there are some circumstances in which parentheses may be more appropriate, such as indicating what's on someone's mind.
• There are exceptions to the hyphen and dash rule. In making compound words, when one of the words itself consists of two words, use a dash (–) instead of a hyphen, as in, "He took the Paris–New York route." Hyphens are also used between numbers, such as in page numbers or years, to indicate distances. ("A discussion on personal finance is found in pages 45–62.")
• In formal writing, try to avoid overusing question marks and exclamation points. Most of your sentences should be declarative statements.
• Some very easy things to do is to think as if you were actually speaking, if someone said "I want to do something let's go right now" you would put an exclamation mark at the end of the sentence, because you are feeling enthusiastic. And put a comma (,) after "something" and before "Let's go" so that the correct sentence becomes "I want to do something, let's go!" You see? Easy!
• If you decide not to use serial commas in your writing, make sure the meaning of the sentence can stand alone without using it. Think of the classic example of a sentence that requires a serial comma: "My heroes are my parents, Mother Teresa and the Pope."
• Although dashes and parentheses have similar uses, keep in mind that parentheses represent a more powerful "additional intent" than dashes.
• Dashes are usually considered informal. You may want to replace the use of a dash with a series of parentheses, or even a comma. In the same way, limit the number of dashes in your writing; these punctuation marks should be kept to emphasize some important parts.
• Never be afraid to have short sentences in your writing by separating long sentences that have multiple meanings. Your readers will appreciate clear, concise writing with short statements, rather than a one-page paragraph of twenty words per sentence.
• If you're writing in a professional capacity, be sure to follow any writing style guidelines or guidelines your employer provides. In some cases, their rules may conflict with what you read here or elsewhere, but their rules should always take precedence. For example, some companies use serial commas (a, b, and c) and others don't (a, b and c).
• If you notice that a sentence feels too long, find a way to add a comma or two, to make it easier on the reader's eyes. If a sentence becomes too long, consider splitting it into two or more sentences.

Warning

• DO NOT use punctuation just because it looks more intellectual.
• Try to distinguish between punctuation rules in different languages, so you don't use punctuation incorrectly. And remember that punctuation must be followed according to the nuance of the sentence.
• While using English punctuation correctly can help your writing flow more smoothly, which creates a generally more "smart" look, don't overdo it. Better to be wrong for omitting than adding a few redundant apostrophes and commas.