{"id":821,"date":"2012-04-05T09:00:50","date_gmt":"2012-04-05T13:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/english\/?p=821"},"modified":"2012-03-14T11:42:26","modified_gmt":"2012-03-14T15:42:26","slug":"punctuation-makes-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/english\/punctuation-makes-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Punctuation Makes the Difference!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>I recently saw the above joke floating around* Facebook and it of course got me thinking about punctuation. \u00a0In a previous post<\/a> I addressed the names of punctuation marks in English, but I did not discuss their usage.\u00a0 So, that is what we will be covering today! Punctuation marks constitute the system of symbols that we use to separate sentences and parts of sentences, in order to make their meaning clear.\u00a0 All of these symbols together are called \u2018punctuation marks\u2019.\u00a0 Below is a list of their individual names and how to use these punctuation marks correctly.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Period<\/td>\n.<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Use a period to end a sentence.<\/li>\n
  • Use periods at the end of an abbreviation, i.e. \u201cMr.\u201d.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Comma<\/td>\n,<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • A comma in writing is used like a pause in speaking.<\/li>\n
  • We use commas inside sentences. Commas separate the different parts of a sentence into logical elements. Commas have no meaning in and of themselves, but they help us to understand the structure and meaning of sentences.<\/li>\n
  • When using a common you should put a space after the comma. Do not put a space before a comma.<\/li>\n
  • Commas are very commonly (almost always) used before the words \u2018but\u2019 and \u2018which\u2019 in English.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Question mark<\/td>\n?<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • The main function of a question mark is to indicate a question.<\/li>\n
  • You should use a question mark at the end of all direct questions, i.e \u00a0How are you?.<\/li>\n
  • \u00a0Do not use a question mark after an indirect or reported question, i.e. Sarah asked her friend how he was doing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Exclamation mark<\/td>\n!<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Exclamation marks are used to show strong feeling, such as surprise, anger or joy, i.e. My son shouted at me, “Go away! I hate you!”<\/li>\n
  • Using exclamation marks when writing is similar to shouting or raising your voice when speaking. You should avoid using exclamation marks in formal writing, unless they are necessary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Semi-colon<\/td>\n;<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Semi-colons are often used instead of periods to separate sentences that are grammatically independent, but have closely connected meaning. \u00a0For example: Barb is a good speaker; she speaks very clearly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Colon<\/td>\n:<\/td>\n\n