Punctuation

Front

What is punctuation?

Back

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

Front

What is the purpose of a period?

Back

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

Front

What is a comma used for?

Back

A comma (,) is used to separate items in a list, to set off introductory elements, and to separate clauses in a sentence.

Front

What does an exclamation point indicate?

Back

An exclamation point (!) is used to show strong emotion or emphasis.

Front

What is a question mark used for?

Back

A question mark (?) is used at the end of a sentence to indicate that it is a question.

Front

How do you correctly use commas in dates?

Back

In dates, commas are used to separate the day from the year and to separate the month from the day. Example: August 25, 2017.

Front

What is the correct way to write a greeting in a letter?

Back

The greeting in a letter should be followed by a comma. Example: Dear Ed,

Front

What is the rule for using apostrophes in contractions?

Back

Apostrophes (') are used in contractions to show where letters have been omitted. Example: can't (cannot), they've (they have).

Front

How do you use periods in abbreviations?

Back

Periods are often used in abbreviations to indicate that letters have been omitted. Example: Dr. for Doctor, U.S. for United States.

Front

What is the correct way to write a name with a middle initial?

Back

When writing a name with a middle initial, include a period after the initial. Example: James M. Holmes.