Punctuation

Punctuation symbols are written marks that help make meaning clear.

The period ( . ) is used: 

- at the end of most sentences

It is raining.

- in many abbreviations

etc.   lb.   Mr.

- in numbers, and is called a decimal point

3.50   4.6   9.99

The question mark ( ? ) is used:

- at the end of a question

Where is Bob? 

The exclamation point ( ! ) is used:

- at the end of an exclamation and at the end of some commands

Here he is!

Come here now!

The comma ( , ) is used:

- to separate elements of a sentence to avoid confusion

If you leave, Sam can rest.

- between items in a series

I like ice cream, cake, pie, and all other rich desserts.

- with dates

October 2, 1977.

- with titles

Marta Ruiz, R.N,

- with numbers

4,978    5, 325,000

The semi-colon ( ; ) is used:

- to separate closely related independent clauses

He is my son; I love him.

She is my friend; besides, I love her.

- between items is a series, when commas have already been used

I like ice cream with chocolate, cherries, and whipped cream; cookies, cake, and pie; and all other rich desserts.

The colon ( : ) is used:

- to call attention to an explanation or list

They need the following: bread, milk, sugar, flour, and salt.

Quotation marks ( " " ) is used:

Tom said, "You must be crazy!" 

Parentheses ( ) is used:

- to give another form of the same expression

The Yorktown Dance team (YDT)

The apostrophe ( ' ) is used:

- to indicate possession

Mary's book

- to form a contraction

I'm    don't    haven't     they're

The hyphen ( - ) is used:

- to connect the parts of a compound word

seventy-eight    make-up

- to connect certain prefixes with words

re-use    pre-approve

YATES, JEAN. Master the basics - English. 2nd ed. Canada: BARRON'S, 2006.

p. cm. - (Master the basics series).