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Punctuation — Definition, Types, Symbols,

Usage, Examples, Quizzes, and Worksheets
21–27 minutes

Punctuation marks are a set of signs and different symbols used in written language to clarify
what, when, and how things are being said. This guide covers everything you need to know
about punctuation marks and how to use them correctly. Use our tips and helpful charts to
learn what each punctuation mark looks like and more! You’ll be a punctuation pro in no
time!

What Are the Different Types of Punctuation Marks?

The different types of punctuation are vast, so we’ll cover them in this chart with deeper
explanations to follow.

Used at the end of a sentence indicating a full stop.

Used to separate parts of a sentence, indicating a short pause.

John walked through the park, enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Introduces a list, quote or explanation.

There are two choices: yes or no.

Connects two independent clauses or separates items in a list when the items contain
commas.

She loves me; she loves me not.

Used to denote a pause or break in thought or to introduce a list.

She was — quite frankly — amazed.

Connects compound words or separates syllables of a word at the end of a line.

Indicates possession or the omission of letters or numbers.

Used at the end of a sentence to indicate a question.

Used to express exclamation.

Surrounds a group of words to denote speech or a quotation.

“Hello, world!” she said.

Used to include explanatory words or phrases within a quote.

“He [the policeman] arrived.”

Used to separate material that is not part of the main sentence.

She went to the store (the one on Main Street) to buy bread.

Used to group together expressions in mathematics or programming.

Used to indicate an omission or pause.

1. Period (.)

The period is one of the most common punctuation marks. Anyone knows the answer to
“What is a period used for?” because it’s simply for ending declarative sentences. You can
also use it to finish imperative sentences.

A period also indicates complete sentences. Using it to separate sentences helps make your
writing clearer. Here are some examples:

 Please take care of the shoes I’m lending you.

 She’s going to the gym tomorrow.
 Monte Carlo is my comfort movie every time I feel lonely.

You’ll also find a period in abbreviations, as in “Mrs.” and “Mr.”

2. Question Mark (?)

In grammar, a question mark is a familiar punctuation used to end interrogative sentences.

It’s known for being a one-job punctuation mark because it simply communicates questions.
These sentences can be in the form of a direct question or an indirect question.

A direct question is an interrogative sentence that asks an “ordinary” question. For example:

 How does it feel to be living my dream?

 What are the parts of a plant cell?
 Why do I have to retake this subject?

An indirect question is a more polite way of making a request or asking for information. For
example:

 Could you give me your mobile number for future transactions?

 Do you know where I can find Mr. Johnson?
 Would you mind grabbing a few vegetables before you go home?
3. Exclamation Point (!)

One of the most basic punctuation marks is the exclamation point. The punctuation symbol
for this is a straight vertical line with a period at the bottom. Use it at the end of an
exclamatory sentence to show strong emotion.

Examples:

 Happy birthday, Emma!

 Ugh! I can’t stop myself from spending money on books.
 Wow! The sunset is breathtaking.

4. Comma (,)

One common cause of grammar mistakes in American English is the lack of commas. Use the
comma to separate ideas and independent clauses. It’s usually found before a coordinating
conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

You can also use the comma to set off nouns as direct addresses. You need to include this
punctuation mark, whether the name is at the beginning or end of the sentence.

Examples:

 Millie, you look stunning in your beaded dress.

 This house used to be orange and blue, but they changed it to lilac and yellow.
 The partner I have chosen is you, Jacob.

5. Colon (:)

A colon is used to introduce additional information. It can also connect clauses like an em
dash and a comma. You’ll find this punctuation mark in any kind of writing. For example:

 Meg has three options after college: apply as an instructional designer, learning
engineer, or curriculum specialist.
 Somehow, everyone forgot the important announcement: Jade and Ryan are getting
married.

Colons also have other uses on a regular basis:

 I started working at 8:30 p.m.

 The correct rice-to-water ratio is 1:2.

6. Semicolon (;)

Like commas, parentheses, and em dashes, a semicolon’s function is separating elements

within sentences. Use it to join a clause and a larger clause without a conjunction.

Example:

 Let’s go to the library to finish the essay; Tuesday would be great.

7. Hyphen (-)

In the English language, hyphens are used to form compound words. Another usage of the
hyphen is to divide a word where there’s not enough space for the whole word. You can also
use it to avoid the awkward doubling of vowels in a compound term.

Examples:

 The president-elect withdrew his candidacy after being exposed for plunder.
 The correct spelling of goodbye is g-o-o-d-b-y-e.
 My mother has a well-stocked pantry.

8. Dash

There are types of dashes to consider.

En Dash (–)

The en dash is one of the different types of dashes used to indicate a range in time periods,
distance, and more.

Examples:

 Please refer to pages 60–73.

 The conference will take place on July 15–17.

Some people also use it to separate complex compound words. The symbol is longer than a
hyphen but shorter than an em dash. The odd name comes from the simple fact that it has the
same width as the lowercase letter n.

Examples:

 Incorrect: Chicago-New York train (hyphen)

 Correct: Chicago–New York train (en dash)
 Incorrect: She’s a National Book Award-winning author.
 Correct: She’s a National Book Award–winning author.

One of the most common punctuation mistakes we make is getting confused between a
hyphen and a dash. Note that the en dash doesn’t join compound words the way hyphens do.

Em Dash (—)

An em dash is one of the three kinds of dashes that functions like a comma, a colon, or
parentheses in introducing a clause. It can separate independent clauses from subordinate
clauses to help a writer expand on an idea.

Some people consider the em dash as more suitable for informal writing. But you’ll find this
double hyphen in different types, even in the most formal writing.

Example:
  The operating hours—9 a.m. to 9 p.m.—are the best choice for this business and its
customers.

9. Brackets []

Square brackets are rarely found in any piece of writing. But you use them to clarify
information within quotes. In short, it’s like parentheses for direct quotations to make the
quote clearer. For example:

 According to the author, “grammar resources [should be] widely accessible to

language learners.”

10. Braces or Curly Brackets {}

Curly brackets, braces, or squiggly brackets are used to group a set. They’re commonly found
in mathematical sets.

Example:

 I already have some venue options {Pier Sixty, Tribeca Rooftop, The Foundry} for
the wedding.

11. Parentheses ()

In English grammar, parentheses are used to add information to a sentence. Such a piece of
information may not fit in—hence the use of this punctuation makes the sentence clearer. For
example:

 The family’s arrival (which I only learned about now) was shocking.
 I swear I saw the ghost (Do you believe in them?) during our stay at the old house.

12. Apostrophe (’)

There is a wide variety of apostrophe rules you need to follow. First, you need to use the
apostrophe in contractions. A contraction is when two words are shortened by omitting one or
more letters to form one word. For example:

 Do not—don’t.
 I am—I’m.
 She will—she’ll.

Another one of the apostrophe’s functions is to show the possessive form of a noun.

Examples:

 That bag is Cornelia’s.

 Will’s dedication is impressive.

A note on apostrophes is that you can also use them to form the plurals of letters and
numbers.
Examples:

 Three A’s.
 Ten 12’s.

You’ll also find the apostrophe in foreign languages. French uses it in articles when a vowel
has been dropped.

A common misuse of the apostrophe is placing it before an S to make nouns plural. Here’s an
example:

 Incorrect: I ate bacon’s for breakfast.

 Correct: I ate bacons for breakfast.

13. Quotation Marks (“ ”)

The common quotation marks or inverted commas are used to make direct quotations or
repetitions of someone’s exact words or famous quotes.

The two types of quotation marks are single quotes (‘ ’) and the more common double
quotation marks (“ ”). Single quotation marks are used to enclose a quote within a quote,
while double quotation marks are used to indicate a direct quote.

Punctuation styles differ between British English and American English. In American
English, periods and commas are placed inside the quotations, even if they’re not in the
original material, while British English places them outside quotations.

Here are some examples of sentences:

 “The teacher told me, ‘You are one of my best students,’” I said to my mother.
 Thomas Edison once said, “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent
inspiration.”

14. Ellipses (…)

The ellipses are a writing tool used for indicating words removed from a quote. It shows
sentence endings while letting the reader know it’s incomplete.

Example:

 “I can’t believe it,” she whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief and excitement.
“This is truly a dream come true…”

What Are Typographical Marks?

Typographical marks are punctuation marks 2.0. They’re common symbols we use in
typography that help with legibility and accessibility. Here are some of the most popular
ones:
1. Asterisk (*)

The asterisk is a symbol that looks like a star. It’s used to show a footnote in formal writing,
primarily scientific and academic writing.

Example:

 25% of the respondents prefer lavender over mint.

*According to survey data from the Essential Oils Center.

2. Ampersand (&)

The ampersand replaces the word “and,” but it is not encouraged by different style guides.
Use it within specific formal references like official names.

Examples:

 His fiancé gave her a Tiffany & Co ring as a birthday gift.

 The law firm that Justine sought help from is Miller & Associates.
 They gave a short performance at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

3. Bullet Point (•)

The bullet point is used for creating lists. Example:

For this project, you will need:

 Fabric of your choice.

 Peltex.
 Fusible fleece.
 Washable ink marker.
 Coordinating thread.
 Sewing needle.

4. Pound Symbol (#)

The pound sign is the punctuation mark for marking the number of something. It’s also now
used for hashtags online.

It’s not to be confused with the pound symbol for the British currency. The British pound
symbol represented the libra pondo, the unit of measurement for weight in the Roman
Empire.

Examples:

 Candace is a #1 Internationally Bestselling Author.

 The hashtags #writing and #publishing are trending.

5. Tilde (~)
One of the many forms of punctuation you won’t always see is the tilde. Previously known as
the twiddle or squiggly, this character’s informal usage means “about” or “approximately.” It
also functions as an accent mark in Portuguese and Spanish words.

Example:

 They plan to visit São Paulo this summer, but the crowd is giving them second
thoughts.
 I think Jane and I met ~3 years ago.

6. Backslash (\)

You won’t find the backslash in letter writing, business writing, and other forms of writing.
This punctuation mark is used for programming or coding, so don’t mix it with the forward
slash.

However, if you’re writing fiction and your character is coding in the story, and you want to
include it, then a backslash is important. The same applies to non-fiction, especially if you’re
writing about coding.

 Example: C:\programfiles

7. At Symbol (@)

The “@” symbol is a substitute for the word “at,” but only for informal writing. Its only
purpose in informal writing is when you’re writing email addresses.

Example:

 C u @ the mall.
 My email address is dogcat@mouse.edu.

8. Caret Symbol (^)

The caret symbol may indicate an exponent if you can’t use the superscript function on the
computer. You can also use it in proofreading.

Example:

 2^2 is 4, and 2^3 is 8.

9. Pipe Symbol (|)

The pipe symbol has no real place in fiction writing. Its function lies in the disciplines of
computing, physics, and math. But, it’s often used stylistically in online copywriting.

Example:

 Candace Osmond | Bestselling Author

What Are Punctuation Marks?
Punctuation marks are the signs and symbols we use in writing to clarify the meaning behind
our writing. They separate sentences and their parts to help the reader understand exactly
what we’re saying, when we’re saying it, and how we’re saying it.

What Is the Difference Between Grammar and Punctuation?

Think of grammar as the conductor of the language orchestra. It’s the rulebook, the
guidelines, and the how-to for arranging phrases, clauses, and words in any language. Now, if
grammar is the conductor, punctuation is the sheet music.

Punctuations are the symbols we scatter across the written word to create harmony and avoid
chaos. In simpler terms, punctuation keeps everything from becoming a word jumble.

What Is the Role of Punctuation Characters in the English Language?

The role of punctuation characters in English is far more important than you think. These
little symbols wear the crown in the kingdom of English. They’re not just pretty faces;
they’re sentence-structuring, meaning-clarifying powerhouses.

Punctuation takes your reader by the hand and tells them when to stop, pause, speed up, read
with a certain emphasis, and more. They help us tell the difference between a question and a
statement or a reply and a thought.

What Is the History of Punctuation?

The history of punctuation goes something like this: Once upon a time, in ancient Greece,
circa the 3rd century B.C.E., a clever librarian named Aristophanes thought, “Hmm, we need
a system to tell us when to take a breath while reading these scrolls out loud.” So, he came up
with punctuation.

As folks started reading and writing more, thanks to advances in education and the spread of
religion, punctuation went viral. Fast forward to the 9th century, and you’d see punctuation
hobnobbing with words everywhere, becoming an indispensable player in the game of
communication.

How Is Punctuation Evolving Over Time?

Punctuation is always evolving because the way we communicate is constantly changing. Did
you know that the exclamation mark was originally called the note of admiration until the
15th century?

Today, in our digital age, punctuation has evolved even further. We now use punctuation
marks to convey tone and even combine them to create emotions.

What Are Informal Punctuation Marks?

Informal punctuation marks are the characters we use in casual communication, like texting
or instant messaging. They’re not typically used in everyday formal writing, but they’re
commonly recognized and used in casual and informal writing and digital communication.

Indicates happiness or amusement

I had a great time at the party :)

Indicates hearty laughter

Indicates a pause or omission

How Many Punctuation Marks Are There in the English Language?

The English language has 14 main punctuation marks:

 Period
 Comma
 Colon
 Semicolon
 Dash
 Hyphen
 Apostrophe
 Question mark
 Exclamation point
 Quotation marks
 Brackets
 Parentheses
 Braces
 Ellipsis

How Are Punctuation Marks Used in Different Contexts?

Punctuation marks are versatile and adapt to all forms of writing. They can lend rhythm and
flow to poetry, help us distinguish formal from informal English, and even inject a touch of
personality into casual text and email exchanges.

How Are Punctuation Marks Used in Poems?

Punctuation in poetry helps to control the reading speed and adds to the overall beat of the
piece. Periods create full stops, letting the reader pause, and commas create minor pauses.

Apostrophes show possession or create contractions, and dashes can signal abrupt thought
changes.

A great example of this is Emily Dickinson, who’s known for her unique use of dashes in her
poems. In her piece “A Bird Came Down the Walk,” the dashes create pauses and add
emphasis to certain parts of the poem.
What Is the Role of Punctuation Marks in Formal and Informal English?

In formal English, punctuation marks adhere strictly to the rules. Periods, commas,
semicolons, and colons are meticulously used to give structure and clarity. Formal English
also demands the use of an Oxford comma in a list of three or more items. However, this also
depends on the style guide you use.

But informal English has a looser approach. Colloquial language usually takes liberties with
punctuation for stylistic purposes, like how you might see a string of exclamation points or
question marks for emphasis.

How Are Punctuation Marks Like “?!” Used in Informal Writing?

The combination of “?!” or “!?” is an example of an interrobang. We use it to express shock

or disbelief in the form of a question. So instead of it being a simple inquiry, it comes across
as more of an exclamation of surprise or disbelief.

 Informal: “You’re moving to Japan?!”

 Formal: “Are you moving to Japan?”

It’s popular in informal writing, like text messages or social media, but isn’t typically used in
formal writing.

What Is a Hedera Punctuation Mark, and Where Is It Used?

The hedera punctuation mark (❧) is a lovely piece of “flourish” used in early printed books,
which is also called a fleuron. It doesn’t have a specific grammatical function but was often
used to mark paragraph breaks. Nowadays, it’s more of a typographical curiosity than a
functional punctuation mark.

Learning and Practicing Punctuation

Punctuation marks are integral to effective communication in English. Here are a few tips and
tricks to master them.

What Are Some Basic Punctuation Rules Every English Learner Should
Know?

1. End your sentences with a period, question mark, or exclamation point.

2. Commas are needed to separate items in a list or clauses in a sentence.
3. Use a semicolon to connect closely related sentences.
4. You need a colon to introduce a list or explanation.
5. Use quotation marks around direct quotes or titles.
6. Always use an apostrophe to indicate possession or contraction.
7. Use hyphens to create compound words and dashes to indicate a range, pause, or
abrupt change.
How Can Printable Worksheets and Charts Help in Learning Punctuation
Marks?

Printable worksheets and charts are great resources if you want to practice using punctuation
marks. They usually have visual guides and opportunities to apply what you’ve learned.

Punctuation Mark Exercises for Different Grade Levels

Here are a few examples of what you’d use in exercises for different grade levels:

1. Elementary: Identify and use periods, question marks, and exclamation points in a
sentence.
2. Middle School: Use commas correctly in a series and separate clauses.
3. High School: Practice using semi-colons, colons, and dashes in complex sentences.

How to Avoid Common Punctuation Errors

Punctuation can dramatically impact the meaning and tone of your sentences. Here’s how to
sidestep some common pitfalls.

What Are the Common Punctuation Errors, and How to Correct Them?

1. Missing Oxford comma: The Oxford comma is the comma used right before the
coordinating conjunction (usually “and” or “or”) in a list of three or more items. Its absence
can sometimes create confusion.

 Incorrect usage: “I love my parents, Lady Gaga and Bigfoot.” Without the Oxford
comma, it seems like the parents are Lady Gaga and Bigfoot!
 Correct usage: “I love my parents, Lady Gaga, and Bigfoot.”

2. Misplaced apostrophes: Apostrophes can indicate possession or contractions, but they are
often misused. “It’s” is a contraction for “it is” or “it has,” while “its” is a possessive
pronoun.

 Incorrect usage: “Its important to feed a dog it’s food.”

 Correct usage: “It’s important to feed a dog its food.”

3. Excessive exclamation points: We use these to add drama or urgency. However, too many
exclamation points can lessen the impact you want to make and also look unprofessional.

 Incorrect usage: “I got the publishing job!!!”

 Correct usage: “I got the publishing job!”

4. Run-on sentences: These happen when two or more independent clauses are connected
without proper punctuation.

 Incorrect usage: “I love reading and my favorite genre is Fantasy Romance.”

 Correct usage: “I love reading, and my favorite genre is Fantasy Romance.”
How to Learn Punctuation and Avoid Common Mistakes

1. Practice every chance you get: The more you write and edit, the better you’ll become.
2. Utilize writing aids: Tools like Grammarly are awesome for spotting errors and
suggesting improvements.
3. Read whenever you can: You learn faster when you see proper punctuation being
used.

How to Practice Punctuation Online and Improve Your Skills

Every writer is unique and learns in different ways. What works for you might not work for
others. But there are some tried and true methods of practicing your punctuation and writing
skills online. Here are just a few key ones to consider:

1. Online quizzes: Grammarist has a ton of punctuation tests, but there are many others,
too. Punctuation tests can be reused whenever you need to brush up on your skills.
2. Writing platforms: Several platforms, like Medium and Wattpad, let you publish your
writing and get feedback from others. The feedback comes from other writers, editors,
and professionals in the industry, but also general readers. Use these platforms to
hone your skills and start generating income from your work.
3. Educational websites: Grammarist offers comprehensive lessons on punctuation.
Education.com also has a plethora of online games and apps you can get to practice
and learn better punctuation skills.

What Are Punctuation Tools?

Punctuation tools are like digital aids that help you find and correct any punctuation errors in
your work. They can usually be downloaded and integrated right into programs like Google
Docs and Microsoft Word. Grammarly and Hemingway Editor are some of the best ones to
check out.

How Can a Punctuation Checker Assist You?

1. Scans your written text for any punctuation, grammar, and spelling errors.
2. Suggests ideas for corrections and gives you explanations of why these suggestions
would work.
3. Gives real-time advice as you write so you can learn as you go.

How to Use a Punctuation Chart for Reference?

1. Print it out or keep it saved on your device.

2. Refer to it while writing or editing.
3. Use it to practice examples until different punctuation marks become second nature.

Let’s End on a Period

Punctuation marks are not just random symbols on a keyboard; they serve as road signs,
guiding readers through the landscape of our thoughts. They give voice to our words, adding
emotion and nuance, enhancing clarity, and ensuring the message we wish to convey is
received as intended.

Consider the difference between “Let’s eat, Mom” and “Let’s eat Mom.” The misuse of
punctuation can, at times, lead to quite a grim misunderstanding.
thesaurus.com

26 Types of Punctuation Marks &

Typographical Symbols
Dictionary.com
11–14 minutes

We use words in writing. Shocking, I know! Do you know what else we use in writing? Here
is a hint: they have already appeared in this paragraph. In addition to words, we use many
different symbols and characters to organize our thoughts and make text easier to read. All of
these symbols come in two major categories: punctuation marks and typographical symbols.
These symbols have many different uses and include everything from the humble period (.) to
the rarely used caret symbol (^). There may even be a few symbols out there that you’ve
never even heard of before that leave you scratching your head when you see them on your
keyboard!

What is punctuation?
Punctuation is the act or system of using specific marks or symbols in writing to separate
different elements from each other or to make writing more clear. Punctuation is used in
English and the other languages that use the Latin alphabet. Many other writing systems also
use punctuation, too. Thanks to punctuation, we don’t have to suffer through a block of text
that looks like this:

 My favorite color is red do you like red red is great my sister likes green she always
says green is the color of champions regardless of which color is better we both agree
that no one likes salmon which is a fish and not a color seriously

Punctuation examples

The following sentences give examples of the many different punctuation marks that we use:

 My dog, Bark Scruffalo, was featured in a superhero movie.

 If there’s something strange in your neighborhood, who are you going to call?
 A wise man once said, “Within the body of every person lies a skeleton.”
 Hooray! I found everything on the map: the lake, the mountain, and the forest.
 I told Ashley (if that was her real name) that I needed the copy lickety-split.

What is a typographical symbol?

The term typographical symbol, or any other number of phrases, refers to a character or
symbol that isn’t considered to be a punctuation mark but may still be used in writing for
various purposes. Typographical symbols are generally avoided in formal writing under most
circumstances. However, you may see typographic symbols used quite a bit in informal
writing.
Typographical symbol examples

The following examples show some ways that a writer might use typographical symbols.
Keep in mind that some of these sentences may not be considered appropriate in formal
writing.

 The frustrated actor said she was tired of her co-star’s “annoying bull****.”
 For questions, email us at anascabana@bananacabanas.fake!
 The band had five #1 singles on the American music charts during the 1990s.
 My internet provider is AT&T.

⚡️ Punctuation vs. typographical symbols

Punctuation marks are considered part of grammar and often have well-established rules for
how to use them properly. For example, the rules of proper grammar state that a letter after a
period should be capitalized and that a comma must be used before a coordinating
conjunction.

Typographical symbols, on the other hand, may not have widely accepted rules for how, or
even when, they should be used. Generally speaking, most grammar resources will only allow
the use of typographical symbols under very specific circumstances and will otherwise advise
a writer to avoid using them.

Types of punctuation and symbols

There are many different types of punctuation marks and typographical symbols. We’ll
briefly touch on them now, but you can learn more about of these characters by checking out
the links in this list and also each section below:

1. Period
2. Question mark
3. Exclamation point
4. Comma
5. Colon
6. Semicolon
7. Hyphen
8. En dash
9. Em dash
10. Parentheses
11. Square brackets
12. Curly brackets
13. Angle brackets
14. Quotation marks
15. Apostrophe
16. Slash
17. Ellipses
18. Asterisk
19. Ampersand
20. Bullet point
 21. Pound symbol
22. Tilde
23. Backslash
24. At symbol
25. Caret symbol
26. Pipe symbol

Period, question mark, and exclamation point

These three commonly used punctuation marks are used for the same reason: to end an
independent thought.

Period (.)

A period is used to end a declarative sentence. A period indicates that a sentence is finished.

 Today is Friday.

Unique to them, periods are also often used in abbreviations.

 Prof. Dumbledore once again awarded a ludicrous amount of points to Gryffindor.

Question mark (?)

The question mark is used to end a question, also known as an interrogative sentence.

 Do you feel lucky?

Exclamation point (!)

The exclamation point is used at the end of exclamations and interjections.

 Our house is haunted!

 Wow!

Comma, colon, and semicolon

Commas, colons, and semicolons can all be used to connect sentences together.

Comma (,)

The comma is often the punctuation mark that gives writers the most problems. It has many
different uses and often requires good knowledge of grammar to avoid making mistakes
when using it. Some common uses of the comma include:

 Joining clauses: Mario loves Peach, and she loves him.

 Nonrestrictive elements: My favorite team, the Fighting Mongooses, won the
championship this year.
 Lists: The flag was red, white, and blue.
 Coordinate adjectives: The cute, happy puppy licked my hand.
Try out this quiz on the Oxford comma!

Colon (:)

The colon is typically used to introduce additional information.

 The detective had three suspects: the salesman, the gardener, and the lawyer.

Like commas, colons can also connect clauses together.

 We forgot to ask the most important question: who was buying lunch?

Colons have a few other uses, too.

 The meeting starts at 8:15 p.m.

 The priest started reading from Mark 3:6.

Semicolon (;)

Like the comma and the colon, the semicolon is used to connect sentences together. The
semicolon typically indicates that the second sentence is closely related to the one before it.

 I can’t eat peanuts; I am highly allergic to them.

 Lucy loves to eat all kinds of sweets; lollipops are her favorite.

Hyphen and dashes (en dash and em dash)

All three of these punctuation marks are often referred to as “dashes.” However, they are all
used for entirely different reasons.

Hyphen (-)

The hyphen is used to form compound words.

 I went to lunch with my father-in-law.

 She was playing with a jack-in-the-box.
 He was accused of having pro-British sympathies.

En dash (–)

The en dash is used to express ranges or is sometimes used in more complex compound
words.

 The homework exercises are on pages 20–27.

 The songwriter had worked on many Tony Award–winning productions.

Em dash (—)

The em dash is used to indicate a pause or interrupted speech.

  The thief was someone nobody expected—me!
 “Those kids will—” was all he managed to say before he was hit by a water balloon.

Test your knowledge on the different dashes here.

Parentheses, brackets, and braces

These pairs of punctuation marks look similar, but they all have different uses. In general, the
parentheses are much more commonly used than the others.

Parentheses ()

Typically, parentheses are used to add additional information.

 I thought (for a very long time) if I should actually give an honest answer.
 Tomorrow is Christmas (my favorite holiday)!

Parentheses have a variety of other uses, too.

 Pollution increased significantly. (See Chart 14B)

 He was at an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting.
 Richard I of England (1157–1199) had the heart of a lion.

Square brackets []

Typically, square brackets are used to clarify or add information to quotations.

 According to an eyewitness, the chimpanzees “climbed on the roof and juggled

[bananas].”
 The judge said that “the defense attorney [Mr. Wright] had made it clear that the case
was far from closed.”

Curly brackets {}

Curly brackets, also known as braces, are rarely used punctuation marks that are used to
group a set.

 I was impressed by the many different colors {red, green, yellow, blue, purple,
black, white} they selected for the flag’s design.

Angle brackets <>

Angle brackets have no usage in formal writing and are rarely ever used even in informal
writing. These characters have more uses in other fields, such as math or computing.

Quotation marks and apostrophe

You’ll find these punctuation marks hanging out at the top of a line of text.

Quotation marks (“”)

The most common use of quotation marks is to contain quotations.

 She said, “Don’t let the dog out of the house.”

 Bob Ross liked to put “happy little trees” in many of his paintings.

Apostrophe (‘)

The apostrophe is most often used to form possessives and contractions.

 The house’s back door is open.

 My cousin’s birthday is next week.
 It isn’t ready yet.
 We should’ve stayed outside.

Slash and ellipses

These are two punctuation marks you may not see too often, but they are still useful.

Slash (/)

The slash has several different uses. Here are some examples:

 Relationships: The existence of boxer briefs somehow hasn’t ended the

boxers/briefs debate.
 Alternatives: They accept cash and/or credit.
 Fractions: After an hour, 2/3 of the audience had already left.

Ellipses (…)

In formal writing, ellipses are used to indicate that words were removed from a quote.

 The mayor said, “The damages will be … paid for by the city … as soon as possible.”

In informal writing, ellipses are often used to indicate pauses or speech that trails off.

 He nervously stammered and said, “Look, I … You see … I wasn’t … Forget it,
okay.”

Typographical symbols

Typographical symbols rarely appear in formal writing. You are much more likely to see
them used for a variety of reasons in informal writing.

Asterisk (*)

In formal writing, especially academic and scientific writing, the asterisk is used to indicate a
footnote.

 Chocolate is the preferred flavor of ice cream.*

*According to survey data from the Ice Cream Data Center.
The asterisk may also be used to direct a reader toward a clarification or may be used to
censor inappropriate words or phrases.

Ampersand (&)

The ampersand substitutes for the word and. Besides its use in the official names of things,
the ampersand is typically avoided in formal writing.

 The band gave a speech at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Bullet Point (•)

Bullet points are used to create lists. For example,

For this recipe you will need:

 eggs
 milk
 sugar
 flour
 baking powder

Pound symbol (#)

Informally, the pound symbol is typically used to mean number or is used in social media
hashtags.

 The catchy pop song reached #1 on the charts.

 Ready 4 Halloween 2morrow!!! #spooky #TrickorTreat

Tilde (~)

Besides being used as an accent mark in Spanish and Portuguese words, the tilde is rarely
used. Informally, a person may use it to mean “about” or “approximately.”

 We visited São Paulo during our vacation.

 I think my dog weighs ~20 pounds.

Backslash (\)

The backslash is primarily used in computer programming and coding. It might be used
online and in texting to draw emoticons, but it has no other common uses in writing. Be
careful not to mix it up with the similar forward slash (/), which is a punctuation mark.

At symbol (@)

The at symbol substitutes for the word at in informal writing. In formal writing, it is used
when writing email addresses.

 His email address is duckduck@goose.abc.

Caret symbol (^)

The caret symbol is used in proofreading, but may be used to indicate an exponent if a writer
is unable to use superscript.

 Do you know what 3^4 (34) is equal to?

Pipe symbol (|)

The pipe symbol is not used in writing. Instead, it has a variety of functions in the fields of
math, physics, or computing.

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