RULES OF PUNCTUATION

WHY DO WE NEED PUNCTUATION?

 To separate groups of words for meaning and emphasis.

 To convey an idea of he variations of pitch, volume, and intonation of the spoken

language.

 To help avoid ambiguity.

FIVE DIFFERENT USES OF PUNCTUATION

 To end a sentence.

 To separate elements within a sentence.

 To link related elements.

 To quote material.

 To set off digressions from the main flow.

PUNCTUATION MARKS THAT END
SENTENCES

period | question mark | exclamation point

 o For initials of people’s names

PERIOD [.] - J. P. Rizal

- G. Cole
o For titles and honorifics
o To represent a decimal point.
- Atty.
- 37.5
- Hon.
o Ends a sentence fragment that can - 13.37
stand independently. o Follows numerals and letters in
o Used with Latin abrreviations.
outlines and vertical lists.
- We’ll be there shortly. - etc. (et cetera)
I.
- Do it. - e.g. (exempli gratia)
A.
o For abbreviations and some
- i.e (id est)
contractions. 1.
- Rizal Ave. 2.
- Dr. B.
- Feb.
HOWEVER…

A period may or may not be used with the

following: No period are used with the following:
 Academic degrees  Metric measurements
- B.S.Ed or BSEd - 7 in.
- Ph. D or PhD - 500 ml.
o Some acronyms
o Geographical names - PAG-IBIG
- U.S.A or USA - PHILVOLCS
- U.K. or UK - PNP
QUESTION MARK [?]

 Ends a direct question.

- What are you doing in there?
- Whose pen is this?
o Indicates uncertainty about a fact.
- He is born in the province of Laguna (?).
- That book was printed in the year 1954 (?).
o Ends a statement that is meant to be a question.
- You left the stove on?
- You made this in just 5 minutes?
EXCLAMATION POINT [!]

 Ends an interjection, or an emphatic phrase, or sentence.

- Stop that!
- Amazing!
- That’s great!

o Placed within quotation marks when it punctuate only the enclosed material.
- “Shut up!” he shouted.
- “Girl, I know that’s your favorite!” the girl exclaimed.
 PUNCTUATION MARKS THAT
SEPARATE ELEMENTS WITHIN A
SENTENCE

comma | semi-colon | colon


COMMA [,]
o Separates main clauses joined by a
coordinating conjunction
- He wanted to go out, but it
was raining.
- She felt sick, so she drank
medicine after the meal.
o Sets off adverbial clauses and phrases
that begin or interrupt a sentence.
- After the class, the students
started practicing for the play.
o Sets off transitional words and
phrases and words that introduce
examples.
- The hunter shot the deer:
however, it was still alive.
- Some animals don’t have
backbones; such as the snail,
octopus, and insects.
o Separates words, phrases, or
clauses in a series.
- The truck has plates,
kitchen utensils, tables, and
chairs inside.
- Some of the symptoms of flu
are cough, sore throat, runny nose, and
muscle pain.
o Separates two or more adjectives
that modify or describe a noun.
- The abandoned, tall, and old
building stands strong despite the
urban development.
o Sets off non-restrictive word,
phrase, or clause that is in
apposition to preceding or
following noun.
- The Harry Potter franchise,
that was written by J.K.
Rowling, is received multiple
awards.
o Separates a dialog or quotation
from a phrase identifying its
source or speaker.
- “He’s got a point,” she said,
“Perhaps we should listen to him.”
 o Indicates the omission of a word or phrase used in a parallel

COMMA [,] construction earlier in the sentence.

- During the weekend, Joy went swimming; Jhepoy,
(continued)
hiking.
o Separates a surname from a following title or degree, and often
o Sets off words in direct address and from abbreviations Jr. and Sr.
mild interjections. - Kenneth Mendoza, LPT.
- It’s a pleasure to meet you, - Procopio Marquez, Jr.
Jhobilyne.
o Sets off elements of an address and full dates.
- Great, she’s here.
- 52 Kalye Street, Bayan City
o Precedes a tag question.
- January 31, 2020
- You really did it, didn’t you?
o Follows the salutation in informal letters, and the complimentary
- They’re here, aren’t they? close in a letter.
o Groups numerals into units of three to - Dear Sister, - Truly yours,
separate thousands, millions, and so
on. - To My Dear Lover, - Your grandson,

- 69,420
- 109,581,078 Filipinos
SEMI-COLON [;]

 Separates related independent clauses joined without

a coordinating conjunction.
- I ain’t here to fight; I’m here to join you.
- The weather is pleasant; it feels cozy.
 Joins two clauses when the second includes a
subordinating conjunction, or a phrase that acts like
one.
- The party was cut short; however, the guests still
enjoyed the night.
- The cops arrived; as a result, the host had no
choice but to stop the party.
 Often used before introducing expressions such as
for example, that is, and namely.
- San Pablo City is famous for its seven
lakes; namely, Sampaloc, Bunot, Mohicap, Kalibato,
Pandin, Palakpakin, and Yambo.
 Separates phrases or items in a series when they
contain commas.
- The population of the following
barangays are as follows: Brgy. I-A, 590;
Brgy. I-B, 759; and Brgy. I-C, 1,536.
 COLON [:]
o Used before a quotation enclosed
by quotation marks in running text.
- Unfortunately, the sign
reads: “No entry beyond this
point.”
o Separates elements in
o Introduces a list or series.
bibliographic publication data and
- Five sheets of Oslo paper, pencil, page reference in Biblical
coloring materials, and a marker citations, and in formulas used to
are needed for tomorrow’s task. express time and ratios.
o Follows a salutation in formal letters. - Isaiah 63:1
- Mr. McMillan: - They shared with a ratio of
1:1.
- Dear Sir:
o Separates titles from subtitles.
- Spiderman: Homecoming
- Walang Matigas Na
Tinapay sa Mainit na Kape:Part 2
o Introduces an amplifying word,
phrase, or clause that acts as an
appositive.
- The meeting ended with one
question: How in the world are we
going to get there?
- My dog found a new
friend: the neighbor’s cat.
PUNCTUATION MARKS THAT
LINK RELATED ELEMENTS

hyphen | slash
 HYPHEN [-] o Used with written-out numbers, both cardinal and ordinal between 21 to 99.
- fifty-six
- twenty-second birthday
o Used with written-out fractions used as a modifier.
o Links words that form a compound
noun or adjective. - one-fourth sheet of paper

- jack-of-all-trades - one-half lengthwise

o Used between numbers, letters, and dates to mean “up to and including”
- Mr. Know-it-all
o Separates a prefix or a suffix from an - Letters A-F
existing word. - 1891-2009
- anti-biotic o Used as the equivalent of to, and, or versus to indicate linkage or
- inter-national opposition.

o Used in most compound modifiers - Filipino-Spanish War

when placed before the noun. - Laguna-Metro Manila
- fool-proof plan
- game-changing strategy
  

SLASH [/]
o Indicates a period spanning two calendar years.
- Academic Year 2019/2020 or 2019-2020
o Separates alternatives, usually o Replaces the word per.
representing the words or or and/or.
- 100 km/hour
- him/her
- $2.95/minute
- he/she
o Indicates division or fraction.
o Replaces the word to or and in some
compound terms and ranges. -
- Monday/Tuesday schedule - x/y
- Monday-Tuesday schedule
o Separates the numerals making up a
date.
- 02/02/2020
- 01/15/1996
PUNCTUATION MARK THAT
QUOTES MATERIAL

quotation mark
QUOTATION MARK [“”]
 Sets off dialog or direct quotation
- “Don’t worry,” he said, “I’m here now.”
- “Need something?” the shopkeeper
 Sets off citations
- “I shall return” was uttered by Gen.
Douglas as he left the Philippines during
War II.
 Sets off titles of literary works, article in
periodicals, chapters of books, and episodes of
radio and TV programs.
asked. - Graciano Lopez-Jaena’s “Fray Botod”was
written to mock oppressive Spanish friars and
expose their abuse of power.
 Sets off words that are meant in a special way
World
- She invited her “friends” to the party. How
pathetic.
PUNCTUATION MARK THAT SET
OFF DIGRESSIONS FROM THE
MAIN FLOW

parentheses | dash | bracket

PARENTHESES [()]

 Sets off phrases and clauses that provide examples,  Sets off numbers or letters indicating individual
explanations, or supplementary materials. items in a series within a sentence
- The country with the highest population is - The four kinds of sentences according to
China (1.39 billion people in 2017). structure are: (1) simple sentence, (2) compound
 Sets off numerals that confirm a spelled out sentence, (3) complex sentence, and (4)
compound-complex sentence.
number.
 Sets off abbreviations that follow their spelled-out
- Five hundred fifty-seven (557) people signed
forms, or vice-versa
up for the program.
 Indicates alternative terms. - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and
Seismology (PHILVOLCS) monitors the volcanic
- Please write the answer(s) in the blank. activity of Taal volcano everyday.
DASH [-]

 Marks off a descriptive element or digression

 Set off the source of a quotation
- The three branches of Philippine government –
- “You must be the change you wish to see in the
which consists of the executive, legislative, and
world.” – M. Gandhi
judiciary branch – help each other to keep the
country in order.  Sets off an interrupting clause or phrase
 Introduces defining phrases and lists. - Ann will not be here today – I hope
she’s okay – because she was caught in an accident
- The teacher selected five students to represent
last night.
the section – Jane, Simon, Yuri, and Mike.
BRACKETS []

 Sets off comments or classification inserted into quoted material.

- The speaker says that academic test [sic] are usually not a matter of life or death.
Note: The Latin word sic makes it clear that the error is not your slip; nor is it a
typographical error.
 Sets off insertions that supply missing letters or that alter the form of the original word.
- “Are you going to take the exam [s] that you have missed?” asked the teacher.
 Function as parentheses within a parentheses.
- The school (Laguna College [est. 1923]) is the first private, non-sectarian school in Laguna.
OTHER PUNCTUATION MARKS

apostrophe | ellipsis
APOSTROPHE

 Indicates the possessive form of nouns and indefinite pronouns.

- Everyone’s favorite - Georgie’s house
- the laptop’s screen- Emily’s armchair
 Marks the omission of letters in contractions.
- didn’t (did not ) - can’t (can not)
- should’ve (should have) - they’re (they are)
 Marks the omission of digits in numerals.
- 90’s kids
- music of the 70’s
 Often forms plurals of letters, figures, symbols, and abbreviations.
- K’s
- Number 9’s
ELLIPSIS […]

 Indicates omissions in quoted material. Omission of a word or phrase is indicated by three ellipsis points.
- Among the guests are: Armie, Avelino, Lili… Keena too.
- The tourists went to Boracay.
- The tourists… Puerto Princesa
o Indicates hesitation or trailing off in spoken words.
- This… can’t be… happening.