Punctuation Marks
Punctuation marks are symbols that are used to aid the clarity and comprehension of written language. Some common punctuation marks are the period, comma, question mark, exclamation point, apostrophe,quotation mark and hyphen.
Punctuation Mark Symbol Definition Example
Punctuation Mark Symbol Definition Example
apostrophe | ' | An apostrophe is used as a substitute for a missing letter or letters in a word (as in the contraction cannot = can't), to show the possesive case (Jane's room), and in the plural of letters, numbers and abbbreviations (A's). | I can't see the cat's tail. He got A's in school. |
comma | , | A comma is used to separate phrases or items in a list. | She bought milk, eggs, and bread. |
exclamation point | ! | An exclamation point is used to show excitement or emphasis. | It is cold! |
hyphen | - | A hyphen is used between parts of a compound word or name. It is also used to split a word by syllables to fit on a line of text. | The sixteen-year-old girl is a full-time student. |
parentheses | ( ) | Parentheses are curved lines used to separate explanations or qualifying statements within a sentence (each one of the curved lines is called a parenthesis). The part in the parentheses is called a parenthetical remark. | This sentence (like others on this page) contains a parenthetical remark. |
period | . | A period is used to indicate that it is the end of a declarative sentence. | I see the house. |
question mark | ? | A question mark is used at the end of a question. | When are we going? |
quotation mark | " | Quotation marks are used at the beginning and end of a phrase to show that it is being written exactly as it was originally said or or written. | She said, "Let's eat." |
ellipsis | ... | An ellipsis (three dots) indicates that part of the text has been intentionally been left out. | 0, 2, 4, ... , 100 |