Punctuation and Grammar

A full stop . is used...

• to signal the start of a new sentence, important words in a title and proper nouns.

• to indicate a pause in a sentence, or separate items in a list.

• at the end of a sentence, or a short phrase, to express a strong emotion.

• to mark the end of a sentence that is not a question or an exclamation.

A comma , is used...

• to signify alternatives by indicating the word ‘or’.

• to indicate a pause in a sentence, or separate items in a list.

• to link items in a list or indicate a pause between two independent sentences that are closely connected to each other.

• to abbreviate contractions (replace omitted letters) and show possession.

A C A P I T A L letter is used...

• to enclose additional information # side note.

• to represent language, directly spoken or written, that has come from somebody else.

• to signal the start of a new sentence, important words in a title and proper nouns.

• at the end of a sentence or phrase to indicate that the sentence or phrase is question.

An exclamation mark ! is used...

• at the end of a sentence, or a short phrase, to express a strong emotion.

• to signal the start of a new sentence, important words in a title and proper nouns.

• to create mystery and suspense in a text # cliff hanger as well as to show that some words have been omitted.

• at the end of a sentence or phrase to indicate that the sentence or phrase is question.

A question mark ? is used...

• to enclose additional information # side note.

• at the end of a sentence or phrase to indicate that the sentence or phrase is question.

• to indicate a pause in a sentence, or separate items in a list.

• at the end of a sentence, or a short phrase, to express a strong emotion.

Quotation marks " " are used....

• to abbreviate contractions (replace omitted letters) and show possession.

• to create mystery and suspense in a text # cliff hanger as well as to show that some words have been omitted.

• to abbreviate contractions (replace omitted letters) and show possession.

• to represent language, directly spoken or written, that has come from somebody else.

Brackets ( ) are used...

• to create mystery and suspense in a text # cliff hanger as well as to show that some words have been omitted.

• to indicate a range of something or a pause.

• to enclose additional information # side note.

• to signify alternatives by indicating the word ‘or’.

A colon : is used...

• to signify alternatives by indicating the word ‘or’.

• to introduce an example, a list, an explanation or a quotation.

• to join words or word parts of words together # compound words.

• to link items in a list or indicate a pause between two independent sentences that are closely connected to each other.

A semi-colon ; is used...

• to create mystery and suspense in a text # cliff hanger as well as to show that some words have been omitted.

• to indicate a pause in a sentence, or separate items in a list.

• to introduce an example, a list, an explanation or a quotation.

• to link items in a list or indicate a pause between two independent sentences that are closely connected to each other.

An ellipsis ... is used...

• to create mystery and suspense in a text # cliff hanger as well as to show that some words have been omitted.

• to represent language, directly spoken or written, that has come from somebody else.

• to join words or parts of words together # compound words.

• to indicate a range of something or a pause.