Punctuation
Definition of Punctuation
Punctuation is the system of symbols used in writing to separate
sentences and clarify meaning. It helps readers understand the structure and
flow of the text by indicating pauses, stops, or emphasis.
For example:
- Let's eat, Grandpa!
(with punctuation – means calling Grandpa to eat)
- Let's eat Grandpa!
(without proper punctuation – sounds like eating Grandpa!)
Types of Punctuation with Examples and Explanation
1. Full Stop / Period (.)
- Use:
Ends a declarative sentence or statement.
- Example:
- I am going to school.
- She loves reading books.
2. Comma (,)
- Use:
Indicates a pause, separates items in a list, or clauses in a sentence.
- Examples:
- I bought apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes.
- After lunch, we went to the park.
- My friend, who lives in Kathmandu, is visiting.
3. Question Mark (?)
- Use:
Ends a direct question.
- Examples:
- What is your name?
- Are you coming to the party?
4. Exclamation Mark (!)
- Use:
Shows strong emotion, surprise, or a command.
- Examples:
- Wow! That was amazing!
- Stop right there!
5. Colon (:)
- Use:
Introduces a list, explanation, or a quote.
- Examples:
- She brought three things: a pen, a notebook, and a
ruler.
- There is one rule: always be honest.
6. Semicolon (;)
- Use:
Connects two independent but related clauses; separates items in a complex
list.
- Examples:
- I went to the library; it was closed.
- I have visited Paris, France; Berlin, Germany; and
Rome, Italy.
7. Apostrophe (’)
- Use:
Shows possession or forms contractions.
- Examples:
- That is Ram’s book. (possessive)
- I don’t like it. (don’t = do not)
8. Quotation Marks (“ ” / ‘ ’)
- Use:
Encloses direct speech or quotations.
- Examples:
- She said, “I will call you later.”
- ‘Honesty is the best policy,’ he said.
9. Hyphen (-)
- Use:
Joins words in compound terms or divides syllables.
- Examples:
- A well-known actor.
- My mother-in-law is visiting.
10. Dash (– or —)
- Use:
Adds emphasis, interruption, or extra information.
- Examples:
- He is the best player — no doubt about it.
- I need three things – a pen, a notebook, and a
calculator.
11. Parentheses / Brackets ( )
- Use:
Adds extra or optional information.
- Examples:
- She moved to Pokhara (a beautiful city in Nepal).
- He finally arrived (after a long delay).
12. Ellipsis (…)
- Use:
Shows omission, hesitation, or continuation.
- Examples:
- He was thinking… but said nothing.
- I don’t know… maybe we should ask.
13. Slash (/)
- Use:
Indicates alternatives or fractions.
- Examples:
- You can use your debit/credit card.
- The answer is 1/2.
Summary Table
|
Punctuation Mark |
Name |
Function |
Example |
|
. |
Full
Stop / Period |
Ends a sentence |
He is my friend. |
|
, |
Comma |
Separates elements, adds a pause |
She sang, danced, and smiled. |
|
? |
Question
Mark |
Ends a question |
Are you coming? |
|
! |
Exclamation
Mark |
Shows emotion |
Oh no! That’s terrible! |
|
: |
Colon |
Introduces list or explanation |
Bring these: pens, paper, ink. |
|
; |
Semicolon |
Connects related clauses |
I studied; I passed. |
|
’ |
Apostrophe |
Shows possession/contractions |
It’s raining. Ram’s book. |
|
“ ” or ‘ ’ |
Quotation
Marks |
Direct speech or quotations |
She said, “I’m happy.” |
|
- |
Hyphen |
Compound words |
A two-way road |
|
— or – |
Dash |
Extra info or pause |
I need help – urgently. |
|
( ) |
Parentheses |
Extra information |
He left (without a word). |
|
… |
Ellipsis |
Omission/continuation |
Well… I’m not sure. |
|
/ |
Slash |
Alternatives/fractions |
Pass/fail, 3/4 |
Uses of Full Stop (.)
in English
A full stop (.) —
also called a period in American English — is the most common
punctuation mark used in writing. It shows the end of a sentence or
statement.
1. To End a Declarative
Sentence
Used at the end of
a statement or sentence that gives information or expresses an
idea.
Examples:
i.
I am a student.
ii.
She lives in Kathmandu.
iii.
The sun rises in the
east.
2. To End Indirect
Questions
When a question
is reported, it becomes a statement and ends with a full stop.
Examples:
i.
He asked me where I was
going.
ii.
I wondered if she would
call.
3. After Abbreviations
(Mostly in American English)
Used after shortened
forms of words.
Examples:
- Dr. (Doctor)
- Mr. (Mister)
- etc. (et cetera)
- a.m. / p.m. (time)
Note: In British English, abbreviations often
do not use full stops. Example: "Mr", "Dr"
Uses of Comma ( , ) in
English
A comma is
a punctuation mark used to indicate a pause, separate items,
or clarify the meaning of a sentence. It helps avoid confusion and improves the
readability of a sentence.
1. To Separate Items in
a List
Used to separate three
or more items in a sentence.
Examples:
i.
I bought apples,
bananas, oranges, and grapes.
ii.
He speaks English,
Nepali, Hindi, and French.
2. After Introductory
Words or Phrases
A comma is used after
introductory words or expressions.
Examples:
i.
Yes, I will come.
ii.
After the meeting, we
went home.
iii.
In the morning, I go for
a walk.
3. To Set Off
Non-essential Information (Parenthetical Phrases)
Used to add extra
information that can be removed without changing the sentence's meaning.
Examples:
i.
My brother, who lives in
Pokhara, is a teacher.
ii.
Mr. Sharma, our
neighbor, is very kind.
4. Before Coordinating
Conjunctions (in compound sentences)
Used before and,
but, or, nor, for, so, yet when they connect two independent clauses.
Examples:
i.
I wanted to play
football, but it started raining.
ii.
She studied hard, so she
passed the exam.
5. To Separate
Adjectives
Used between two or more
adjectives that describe the same noun.
Examples:
i.
It was a long, tiring
journey.
ii.
He is a kind, helpful
man.
6. With Direct Speech
Used to separate spoken
words from the rest of the sentence.
Examples:
i.
She said, “I’m going to
the market.”
ii.
“I’ll be there soon,” he
replied.
7. With Dates, Places,
and Addresses
Used to separate
elements in dates or addresses.
Examples:
i.
He was born on June 14,
2000, in Nepal.
ii.
Send it to 123 Main
Street, New York, NY.
8. To Avoid Confusion
Used where needed to
clarify meaning.
Examples:
i.
Let’s eat, Grandma!
(Correct – calling Grandma to eat)
ii.
Let’s eat Grandma!
(Wrong – sounds like eating Grandma)
Summary Table:
|
Use Case |
Example |
|
Items
in a list |
I
bought milk, eggs, bread, and butter. |
|
Introductory
phrase |
After
lunch, we went to the park. |
|
Extra/non-essential
info |
Ram,
my best friend, is coming. |
|
Compound
sentence with conjunction |
I
was tired, but I finished my homework. |
|
Between
adjectives |
A
cold, rainy day. |
|
Direct
speech |
He
said, “Good morning.” |
|
Dates/places |
July
4, 1776, was an important day. |
|
To
prevent confusion |
Let’s
eat, children. (Not: Let’s eat children.) |
Uses of Semicolon ( ;
) in English
A semicolon ( ;
) is a punctuation mark used to connect closely related ideas or
separate items in a complex list. It shows a stronger pause than a
comma but not a full stop.
1. To Join Two Closely
Related Independent Clauses
Use a semicolon to connect
two complete sentences that are closely related in meaning but not
joined by a conjunction (like "and" or "but").
Examples:
- I went to the market; it was already closed.
- She loves to paint; her brother prefers photography.
Note: Both sides of the semicolon must be
complete sentences (independent clauses).
2. To Join Independent
Clauses with a Conjunctive Adverb or Transitional Phrase
When using words
like however, therefore, otherwise, meanwhile, nevertheless,
consequently, etc., to link two independent clauses, use a semicolon
before the linking word and a comma after it.
Examples:
- He was very tired; however, he continued working.
- It rained heavily; therefore, the match was canceled.
- She didn’t study; consequently, she failed the test.
3. To Separate Items in
a Complex List
Use semicolons to
separate items in a list when the items themselves contain commas.
Examples:
- We visited Kathmandu, Nepal; Delhi, India; and Bangkok,
Thailand.
- The candidates were Ramesh Shrestha, teacher; Sita
Pandey, doctor; and Hari Karki, engineer.
Summary Table of
Semicolon Uses:
|
Use
Case |
Example |
|
Join
two related sentences |
I
love music; it relaxes me. |
|
Before
conjunctive adverbs (however, etc.) |
She
was ill; nevertheless, she came to work. |
|
Complex
lists with internal commas |
I
met Ram, a writer; Shyam, a dancer; and Hari, a poet. |
Uses of Colon ( : ) in English
A colon ( : ) is a
punctuation mark used to introduce lists, explanations, quotations, or
emphasis. It signals that what comes next is directly related to the
previous part of the sentence.
1.
To Introduce a List
Use a colon after a complete
sentence to introduce items in a list.
Examples:
- You need to bring the following: a pen, a notebook, and
a calculator.
- She bought three things: shoes, a bag, and a dress.
Note: Don’t use a colon directly after a verb or preposition
unless the sentence is complete.
2.
To Introduce an Explanation or Example
Use a colon to introduce a reason,
explanation, or elaboration.
Examples:
- He got what he deserved: a long prison sentence.
- There’s one thing you need to remember: always tell the
truth.
3.
To Introduce a Quotation
When a complete sentence introduces
a quotation, use a colon before the quote.
Examples:
- The teacher said: “Hard work is the key to success.”
- Shakespeare wrote: “All that glitters is not gold.”
4.
To Emphasize a Word or Phrase
Use a colon to add emphasis
to a particular word or idea at the end of a sentence.
Examples:
- She knew what she wanted: success.
- There’s only one solution: honesty.
5.
In Titles, Time, Ratios, and References
- Time:
5:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m.
- Ratios:
The ratio was 3:2.
- Titles:
COVID-19: A Global Challenge
- References:
Genesis 1:1 (Bible reference)
Summary Table of Colon Uses
|
Use Case |
Example |
|
Introduce a list |
He packed: clothes, shoes, and a
hat. |
|
Explanation or clarification |
She had a big problem: no money. |
|
Introduce a quotation |
He said: “Never give up.” |
|
Emphasis |
There was one rule: silence. |
|
In time, ratios, titles |
The score was 4:3. Time: 10:30
a.m. |
Uses of Dash ( — ) in English
A dash (—) is a punctuation
mark used to create emphasis, add extra information, or show a sudden break in
thought. It is longer than a hyphen (-) and should not be confused with it.
There are two main types:
- Em dash (—):
Commonly used in writing (long dash).
- En dash (–):
Used for ranges (e.g., 2010–2020).
Below are the main uses of the em
dash (—):
1.
To Add Extra Information or Explanation
Used like parentheses or commas to
add extra, non-essential information in a sentence.
Examples:
- My brother — who lives in Canada — is a doctor.
- The car — a red Toyota — is parked outside.
2.
To Show a Sudden Break or Interruption
Used to indicate a sudden change of
thought or an unfinished sentence.
Examples:
- I was about to leave — then the phone rang.
- If only I had remembered to bring the keys — oh no!
3.
To Emphasize a Word or Phrase
Used for dramatic emphasis at the
end of a sentence.
Examples:
- He finally got what he wanted — freedom.
- There’s only one thing that matters — trust.
4.
In Place of a Colon (for Emphasis or Explanation)
An em dash can replace a colon to
introduce a list or explanation, especially in informal writing.
Examples:
- She brought everything she needed — books, pens, and
snacks.
- He got what he deserved — a second chance.
5.
To Indicate Interrupted Dialogue (in Stories or Scripts)
Used to show that a character is cut
off or interrupted.
Example:
- “But I thought you said—”
Uses of Hyphen ( - ) in English
A hyphen (-) is a short
punctuation mark used to join words or split words at the end of
a line. It is not the same as a dash (—), which is longer.
1.
To Form Compound Words
Hyphens are used to connect two
or more words that act as a single idea (compound adjectives or compound
nouns).
Examples:
- My father-in-law is visiting.
- She bought a well-known brand.
- He is a full-time employee.
2.
To Avoid Confusion or Misreading
A hyphen helps clarify the meaning
of certain combinations of words.
Examples:
- Re-sign (sign again) vs. Resign (quit a job)
- Co-op (cooperative) vs. Coop (chicken house)
3.
With Prefixes and Suffixes
Some words with prefixes or suffixes
need a hyphen, especially when:
- The root word is capitalized.
- There’s a repetition of the same vowel.
- To avoid ambiguity.
Examples:
- ex-president
- re-enter
- anti-American
- self-esteem
4.
To Indicate Word Division at the End of a Line
In writing, a hyphen can split a
word that doesn’t fit on one line (less common in digital writing now).
Example:
- The children were enjoy-
ing their summer vacation.
5.
In Numbers and Fractions (as adjectives)
Used in number words or when
fractions are used as adjectives.
Examples:
- Twenty-one students were present.
- A two-thirds majority is required.
Summary Table
|
Use Case |
Example |
|
Compound words |
Brother-in-law, check-in,
well-known |
|
Avoiding confusion |
Re-cover (cover again) vs. Recover |
|
With prefixes/suffixes |
ex-army, self-made, anti-smoking |
|
Word division at line end |
The teacher explained the differ-
ence. |
|
Numbers and fractions as
adjectives |
A five-year-old child, one-third
share |
Uses of Interrogative Sign / Question Mark ( ? )
A question mark (?) is a
punctuation mark used at the end of a sentence to indicate a direct question.
It shows that the sentence is asking something rather than making a statement.
1.
At the End of Direct Questions
Used after a sentence that asks a direct
question.
Examples:
- What is your name?
- Where are you going?
- Did you complete your homework?
2.
In Tag Questions
When a statement is followed by a
short question (a tag), the entire sentence ends with a question mark.
Examples:
- You're coming with us, aren't you?
- She doesn’t like coffee, does she?
3. In Choice-Based Questions
When the sentence offers a choice
between two or more options.
Examples:
- Do you want tea or coffee?
- Should we go now or wait a little longer?
4.
In Rhetorical Questions
Even when the question doesn’t need
an actual answer, it ends with a question mark.
Examples:
- Who doesn't love music?
- Why should I care?
5.
In Questions within Quotations
If a quoted sentence is a question,
the question mark goes inside the quotation marks.
Examples:
- She asked, “Are you okay?”
- He said, “What are we waiting for?”
6.
In Questions within a Sentence
When the question is embedded in a
longer sentence, only the question part gets the question mark.
Examples:
- Can you tell me where she went?
- I wonder why he left?
Summary Table
|
Use Case |
Example |
|
Direct question |
How are you? |
|
Tag question |
You know the answer, don’t you? |
|
Choice-based question |
Would you like coffee or tea? |
|
Rhetorical question |
Who wouldn’t want to be happy? |
|
Inside quotation |
He asked, “Do you need help?” |
|
Indirect in a sentence |
Can you explain what happened? |
Uses of Exclamation Mark ( ! )
An
exclamation mark (!) — also called an exclamation point — is a
punctuation mark used to express strong feelings, such as surprise,
excitement, anger, happiness, or command. It adds emotion and emphasis
to a sentence.
1.
To Show Strong Emotions
Used at the end of sentences that
express strong feelings.
Examples:
- Wow! That was amazing!
- I can't believe it!
- What a beautiful place!
2.
To Express Surprise or Shock
Used when the sentence expresses
shock or sudden realization.
Examples:
- Oh no! I forgot my wallet!
- What! You’re leaving already?
3.
In Commands or Warnings
Used to give forceful instructions,
commands, or urgent warnings.
Examples:
- Stop!
- Get out now!
- Watch out!
4.
In Interjections
Used after interjections
(sudden short expressions) to show emotion.
Examples:
- Ouch! That hurt.
- Hurray! We won!
- Alas! He is no more.
5.
To Show Excitement or Joy
Used when expressing excitement or
happiness.
Examples:
- Congratulations!
- Happy Birthday!
- We did it!
6.
In Informal Writing (for emphasis)
Often used in casual writing,
like texts, emails, or social media, to add energy.
Examples:
- That movie was awesome!
- See you soon!
Summary Table
|
Use Case |
Example |
|
Strong feelings |
I’m so happy! |
|
Surprise or shock |
What! That’s unbelievable! |
|
Commands and warnings |
Run! Fire! Don’t move! |
|
Interjections |
Wow! Oops! Hey! |
|
Joy or celebration |
Happy Anniversary! Well done! |
|
Informal excitement |
Let’s go hiking this weekend! |
Uses of Apostrophe ( ’
) in English
An apostrophe ( ’ ) is a punctuation mark used
to show possession, form contractions, and pluralize certain letters or symbols. It
is small but very important in both writing and speech.
1. To Show
Possession
The apostrophe is
used to show that something belongs to
someone (ownership).
A.
Singular Noun + ’s
Examples:
i.
The boy’s hat
(the hat belongs to the boy)
ii.
My friend’s car
(the car of my friend)
B.
Plural Noun Ending in -s + Only Apostrophe
( ’ )
Examples:
i.
The teachers’
lounge (the lounge for multiple teachers)
ii.
The students’
books (books that belong to students)
C.
Irregular Plural Nouns (not ending in -s) +
’s
Examples:
i.
The children’s
toys
ii.
The men’s team
2. To Form
Contractions
Apostrophes
replace missing letters in
contractions (shortened forms of words).
Examples:
i.
I am → I’m
ii.
He is → He’s
iii.
Do not → Don’t
iv. They are → They’re
v. It is → It’s
Use of Brackets
(Simple
Explanation with Examples)
Brackets are punctuation marks used
to add extra information, clarify meaning, or modify text.
1.
Round Brackets ( ) – Also called parentheses
Use:
To give extra information, examples, or explanations.
Examples:
- She is a doctor (pediatrician).
- He was born in Kathmandu (the capital of Nepal).
- I will come tomorrow (if it doesn’t rain).
Use of Inverted Commas / Quotation Marks (" ")
Inverted commas (also called quotation marks) are punctuation marks
used to enclose direct speech, quotations, titles, and special
words.
1.
To show direct speech
Used to show the exact words
spoken by someone.
Examples:
- She said, "I am going to school."
- Ramesh asked, "Where are you going?"
2.
To quote someone else's words or writing
Used when quoting someone's
statement, a book, or an article.
Examples:
- Mahatma Gandhi said, "Be the change you wish to
see in the world."
- The article stated, "The economy is growing
steadily."
3.
To highlight the title of a short work
Used for poems, short
stories, articles, songs, etc.
Examples:
- I love the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy
Evening."
- Have you read the story "The Last Leaf"?
4.
To show unusual, ironic, or special words
Used to mark slang, unfamiliar
terms, or words used in a special sense.
Examples:
- He claims to be a "professional"
gamer.
- That was a "brilliant" idea (used
sarcastically).
5.
To indicate thoughts (in creative writing)
Sometimes used in stories to show a
character’s thoughts, though italics are also common.
Example:
- "Should I tell the truth?" she wondered.
Types of Quotation Marks
- Double quotation marks – “ ” (used most commonly)
- Single quotation marks – ‘ ’ (often used inside double quotes)
Example (nested):
She said, "I heard him say, ‘I will come tomorrow.’"
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