Punctuation

Indicates added emphasis, interruption, or an abrupt change of thought. More dramatic than a comma and also less formal. Use between groups of words. Ex: The house rule is simple | clean up after yourself.

• dash
• ellipses
• comma
• semicolon
• colon

Used to introduce a description, an explanation, or a list of items. It always follows a complete thought. Ex: That is the secret of my extraordinary life | always do the unexpected.

• colon
• ellipses
• comma
• semicolon
• apostrphe

Punctuation consisting of three or four dots that indicates words or entire sentences are missing from a direct quote. In creative writing, this punctuation mark can express hesitation or thoughts trailing off. Ex: “Today | will go down in history.”

• ellipses
• comma
• semicolon
• colon
• apostrphe

This punctuation mark should never be surrounded by spaces. Its main function is to glue words together. They are used with compound adjectives and numbers. They often are used to clarify wording that would otherwise be confusing. Ex: The fifteen | year | old boy was known for quarreling.

• hyphen
• ellipses
• comma
• semicolon
• colon

Indicates a very brief pause. One of the most commonly-used and abused punctuation marks. Ex: We should use this punctuation mark correctly | but most people do not.

• comma
• ellipses
• semicolon
• colon
• apostrphe

Used to enclose information that clarifies or that is used as an aside. Ex: He finally replied | after taking five years to think | that he’d rather not go to prom with me.

• parentheses
• ellipses
• comma
• semicolon
• colon

Used to show possession. Ex: He was fired for talking to the boss | s wife.

• apostrphe
• ellipses
• comma
• semicolon
• colon

Used to combine two complete sentences. Ex: Come over after school | we can study math together.

• semicolon
• ellipses
• comma
• colon
• apostrphe