Grammar
PUNCTUATION SYMBOL DEFINITION EXAMPLE
It is placed at the end - Jane and Jack went to the
of declarative sentences, market.
PERIOD . statements thought to be - Her son, John Jones Jr., was
complete and after many born on Dec. 6, 2008.
abbreviations.
QUESTION ? To indicate a direct question - When did Jane leave for the
MARK when placed at the end of a market?
sentence.
EXCLAMATION ! It is used when a person wants - "Holy cow!" screamed Jane.
POINT to express a sudden outcry or - My mother-in-law's rants
add emphasis. make me furious!
To show a separation of ideas or -Thanks for all your help, John.
elements within the structure of -We went to the movies, and
COMMA , a sentence. Additionally, it is then we went out to lunch.
used in numbers, dates and -Suzi wanted the black, green,
letter writing after the and blue dress.
salutation and closing.
To connect independent -John was hurt; he knew she
clauses. It shows a closer only said it to upset him.
SEMICOLONS ; relationship between the
clauses than a period would
show.
It is after a word introducing a -He was planning to study four
quotation, an explanation, an subjects: politics, philosophy,
example, or a series. sociology and economics.
COLON :
it is between independent -I didn't have time to get
clauses, when the second changed: I was already late.
explains the first, similar to a
semicolon
-There was one thing she loved
It is used for emphasis more than any other: her dog.