14 English Punctuation Marks

Which punctuation mark is used to introduce a list of items?

• comma

• semicolon

• colon

• ellipse

This punctuation mark is used to indicate an omission (when some of the text is missing or the trailing off of a thought).

• ellipse...

• comma,

• colon:

• semicolon;

The semicolon is used

• to indicate a pause.

• between two independent clauses (sentences).

• to indicate the end of a sentence.

• is sometimes described as stronger than a comma but weaker than a period.

This type of dash is used in compound words.

• en dash

• hyphen

• em dash

• slash

is used to indicate emotion.

Parentheses allow a writer to

• emphasize an idea.

• indicate emotion.

• provide additional information.

• ask a question.

This mark is used to demonstrate breaks in between lines of poetry.

This is used to show possession of something or in place of a letter in a contraction.

• colon

• apostrophe

• comma

• dash

A period is also known as a

• full stop.

• end zone.

• finale.

• dead end.

This punctuation mark indicates a soft pause.

• comma

• semicolon

• colon

• hyphen