Punctuation

Punctuation refers to the marks used in writing that help clarify meaning and separate linguistic units.

A period is a punctuation mark (.) used to indicate the end of a declarative sentence.

A question mark (?) is used to end sentences that are questions or express doubt.

An exclamation point (!) is used after interjections that show strong feeling and sentences that show excitement.

A comma (,) is used to separate items in a list, clauses, or elements of a sentence.

Quotation marks (" ") are used to indicate direct speech or quotations.

An apostrophe (') is used to indicate possession or to form contractions.

A semicolon (;) is used to connect closely related independent clauses.

A colon (:) is used to introduce a list, a quote, or an explanation.

A dash (—) is used to indicate a pause or break in thought.