Punctuation:

Full stop ( . )

indicates the end of a sentence

indicates an abbreviation (ONLY if the abbreviated word does not end on the same letter as the original word)

e.g. Reverend - Rev. BUT Doctor - Dr (no full stop)

used in acronyms (ONLY when the acronym is said as letters and not as a word)

e.g. S.A.B.C. BUT UNISA (no full stops)

Capital letter (A B C)

indicates the beginning of a sentence

indicates a proper noun

used to punctuate titles

e.g. The Wind in the Willows

used in the heading of a business letter or letter to the Editor

e.g. COMPLAINT ABOUT POOR SERVICE AT WIMPY

Apostrophe ( ' )

indicates possession

singular possession (i.e. the possessive noun is singular)

e.g. Wimpy’s breakfasts are the best anywhere.

plural possession (i.e. the possessive noun is plural)

e.g. Many families’ Saturday routine starts at Wimpy.

indicates omission of a letter when two words have been contracted into one

e.g. Don’t you want to go away this weekend?

Comma ( , )

used to separate:

two or more items on a list

e.g. Pack your pyjamas, toothbrush and sleeping bag

two or more adjectives describing one noun

e.g. Take your two-piece, purple, Ninja Turtle pyjamas.

added information in parenthesis

e.g. Your sleeping bag is under the stairs, where you left it.

e.g. Your toothbrush, which is still wet from this morning, must be put in a plastic bag.

after the name of a person being addressed

e.g. Ruth, you have to give me your ticket.

clauses or phrases

e.g. When you have finished, give me a call.

before or after sentence adverbs

e.g. However, we will let you know.

Colon ( : )

indicates that related information follows.

indicates that a quotation or extract follows

e.g. Hamlet says: “To be or not to be"

indicates that a list follows

e.g. Pack the following: your toothbrush, pyjamas and sleeping bag.

indicates that a sub-title follows

e.g. Star Wars: The Empire strikes back

Semi-colon ( ; )

used to separate lengthy items on a list

e.g. Bring to the meeting: the blue folder you were sent; an exam pad for

notes; the textbook for the course and a pen.

used to replace a conjunction

e.g. Put your things near the car; I’ll see you there.

Hyphen ( - )

used to join

single words to form compound words (Always state what part of speech was formed)

e.g. bed-and-breakfast; cherry-red

prefixes to nouns

e.g. de-toxification; anti-AIDS campaign; co-operate

indicates an incomplete word continues on the next line

e.g. It is difficult remem-

bering everything!

used to avoid ambiguity

e.g. recovered and re-covered; the pickled-onion recipe

Dash ( _ )

used to separate a repeated word

e.g. You must believe what I say – say you do!

used to indicate a sudden change of thought

e.g. Could I come today – or maybe tomorrow would be be used to indicate the omission of letters in the interests of good taste (much like

the beep on TV which covers the swear words)

e.g. You don’t give a d- , do you?

used to indicate extra information in parenthesis (same as the commas)

e.g. She gave me her silver – a really stunning set – just before she moved away.

Exclamation mark (!)

indicates an exclamation or interjection

e.g. Ow!

they could be used to strengthen or accentuate the tone of a statement

e.g. The Music teacher yelled, "Sing louder!"

they are used after sentences, phrases or words which express emotions such as joy, anger, anxiety, sadness, fear and anxiety.

e.g. "I am terrified!" whispered the frightened boy.

Question mark ( ? )

indicates a question has been asked

e.g. What do you mean?

Quotation mark ( " ... " )

(Also known as inverted commas.)

The are used for Direct Speech.

e.g. Mr Oldnall said, "I am going for a quick run."

Used to quote someone's words.

e.g. Mr Kidwell said, "This is not the St Alban's I remember."

Single quotation marks were used to indicate titles of books and film. Nowadays, titles are underlined.

They are used to indicate slang or foreign words.

e.g. Mr Collins has a "dax" beard.

Used to indicate a metaphor.

e.g. She's the "baby" of the family.

Punctuation marks should be placed within the inverted commas e.g. "Close the door! It's freezing in here."

Parenthesis ( ) , , - -

Parenthesis or brackets are used to to separate additional information. It is usually an explanation or an aside.

e.g. Ma'am MacKenzie (the greatest cartwheeler of all time) is an English teacher.

brackets, commas and dashes may be used.

Ellipsis ( ... )

The three ellipsis dots show that the sentence is incomplete or to show that something has been left out or omitted.

e.g. She walked to the edge of the seashore and...

The meaning can be guessed from the context of the sentence.

e.g. You had better change out of your sports kit quickly or else...

Italics

(slanting writing)

They are used to highlight and emphasise words and phrases e.g. titles and foreign words.

e.g. Star Wars is a much loved film.

Reference:

Lutrin and Pincus English Handbook and Study Guide: A Comprehensive English Reference Book