Punctuation Marks

1. Punctuation Marks Punctuation Marks Punctuation is very important in writing. Missing or incorrect punctuation marks can make your writing confusing for the reader. Let’s look at out how to use punctuation to improve your writing.

2. Punctuation Marks Use a period at the end of a declarative sentence. Maria planted a tree in the backyard. Use a period at the end of an imperative sentence. Give me the newspaper.

3. Punctuation Marks Use a question mark at the end of an interrogative sentence. What are you doing? Use an exclamation point at the end of an exclamatory sentence. I’ve got it!

4. Punctuation Marks Use a comma to separate the items in a series. We saw dolphins, manatees, and sea horses at the aquarium. Use a comma to separate an introductory word from the rest of the sentence. No, I didn’t pick up milk at the grocery store.

5. Punctuation Marks Use a comma to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence. I stayed at camp, but my brother left early. Use a comma to separate a noun of direct address from the rest of a sentence. Fran, did you finish writing your research report?

6. Punctuation Marks Add an apostrophe (’) and s to form the possessive of a singular noun. Ricardo’s bicycle lay in the grass. • Add an apostrophe to plural nouns that end in s. Paul washed the painters’ brushes in the basement sink. • Add an apostrophe and s toplural nouns that do not end in s. I picked up the children’s toys off the floor.

7. Punctuation Marks Use apostrophes in contractions, or two words that have been shortened and combined. can’t won’t didn’t let’s would’ve

8. Punctuation Marks Use quotation marks around the beginning and end of a direct quotation. Use a comma to separate the speaker’s exact words from the rest of the sentence. Roberta said, “Let’s go to the park.” “There’s a concert playing tonight,” Chuck said. “Wait,” Ilona said, “let me go home and change first.”

9. Punctuation Marks Use a colon after an independent clause that introduces an explanation, an example, or a series. Tim likes two kinds of dogs: cocker spaniels and poodles. Use a semicolon instead of a comma and conjunction to separate the independent clauses in a compound sentence. We waved goodbye to José; he would be away for a long time.

10. Punctuation Marks Use a hyphen to link the parts of some compound words. no-man’s land daughter-in-law Use a hyphen to link word pairs that precede a noun and act as an adjective. best-known attraction low-budget movie