Punctuation

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What is punctuation?

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Punctuation refers to the marks used in writing that help clarify meaning and separate linguistic units. Examples include periods, commas, question marks, and exclamation points.

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What is an ellipsis?

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An ellipsis is a series of three dots (...) used to indicate the omission of words in a sentence or to show a pause in speech.

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How is an ellipsis used to omit words?

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An ellipsis can replace omitted words in a sentence to make it shorter while retaining the original meaning. For example, 'She said she would come, but...' can omit 'she would come'.

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What is the correct punctuation for dates in a sentence?

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When writing dates, use commas to separate the day from the year. For example, 'On Friday, June 4, 2015, I will travel.'

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What is the purpose of a comma?

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A comma is used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence, separate items in a list, or set off clauses.

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When should you use a comma before 'and'?

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Use a comma before 'and' when connecting two independent clauses. For example, 'I wanted to go, but I was too tired.'

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What is a compound sentence?

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A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses joined by a conjunction (like 'and', 'but', or 'or').

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What is the function of a semicolon?

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A semicolon is used to connect closely related independent clauses or to separate items in a complex list.

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How do you use a colon?

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A colon is used to introduce a list, a quote, or an explanation. For example, 'She has three pets: a dog, a cat, and a rabbit.'

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What is the difference between a period and a question mark?

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A period indicates the end of a declarative sentence, while a question mark indicates the end of an interrogative sentence.