Punctuation

PART 1- INTRODUCTION AND RULES

QUICK GLANCE AT MEANING AND
USES:
 Punctuation marks are the marks that assist the reader to understand the
sentences by providing clarity through pauses and exclamations. It tells us
where a sentence, idea, or paragraph is ending.
With the help of marks like
o Period
o Question marks
o Exclamation mark
o Comma
o Semi-colon and colon
o Apostrophe
Uses of….
Full stop/Period (.)

 The full stop is used to mark the end of a declarative or an imperative sentence. It
represents the greatest pause.
For example – The child has crawled out of the pit.

 Also, it is used in some abbreviations such as M.D., etc. If the sentence is ending
with said abbreviations it will serve the purpose of the period as well.
This college provides a very elaborate and extensive course on M.A.
Question mark (?)

Question Mark is used, instead of the Full Stop, after a direct question.
Have you finished writing?
She asked, "Are you happy to be home?"
Did you go to school today?”
Exclamation mark (!)

 The exclamation mark is used after interjections and after phrases and sentences
expressing sudden emotion or wish.
• "Ugh! Why are you yelling at me?"
• "I'm not!"
• Happy birthday, Annie!
• What a cute puppy!
• How fast you ran!
• That birthday cake was so good!
• You’re such a liar!
 Inverted Comma -
1. Apostrophe(‘s)

 An apostrophe (') is used to indicate the omission of a letter or letters from a word,
the possessive case, or the plurals of lowercase letters. Examples of the apostrophe
in use include:
• Omission of letters from a word: I've seen that movie several times. She wasn't the
only one who knew the answer.
• Possessive case: Sara's dog bit the neighbor.
• Plural for lowercase letters: Six people were told to mind their p's and q's.
• It should be noted that, according to Purdue University, some teachers and editors
enlarge the scope of the use of apostrophes, and prefer their use on symbols (&'s),
numbers (7's) and capitalized letters (Q&A's), even though they are not necessary.
 Inverted Comma –
2. Quotation marks (“”)
 According to the Cambridge Dictionary, quotation marks are defined as “the
symbols “ ” or ‘ ’ that are put around a word or phrase to show that someone else
has written or said it”.
• "Don't go outside," she said.
• Single quotation marks (' ') are used most frequently for quotes within quotes.
• Marie told the teacher, "I saw Mark at the playground, and he said to me 'Billie
started the fight,' and I believed him."
 Comma (,)

 The comma is used to indicate a short pause. The comma is used to show a separation of ideas or
elements within the structure of a sentence. Additionally, it is used in numbers, dates, and letter
writing after the salutation and closing.
• Direct address: Thanks for all your help, John.
• Separation of two complete sentences: We went to the movies, and then we went out to lunch.
• Separating lists or elements within sentences: Suzi wanted the black, green, and blue dress.
• Separation of numbers, dates, and address: I was born on 9th August 1990 in Lucknow, Uttar
Pradesh.
• Addressing a person: "Yes, Sir."
• Separating two persons, things, or other elements: I meant Raj, not Robin.
• Direct quotations: She said, "I'm sorry.“
• To separate two adjectives of different classes.
• To set off words that interrupt the flow of the sentence. I am, although not looking like it, very excited.
 Colon (:)

 The colon is used to show that something is to follow.

The first is after a word introducing a quotation, an explanation, an example, or a
series.
Example - He was planning to study four subjects: politics, philosophy, sociology,
and economics.
2. The second is between independent clauses when the second explains the first,
similar to a semicolon:
 I didn't have time to get changed: I was already late.
3. The third use of a colon is for emphasis:
 There was one thing she loved more than any other: her dog.
Semi colon (;)

 The semicolon represents a stronger pause than a comma. It

is used to stress the close relationship between one
sentence and another.
• John was hurt; he knew she only said it to upset him.
• Joan likes eggs; Jennifer does not.
• It was raining; the game was canceled.
 QUIZ TIME

 1. All of the people at the school, including the teachers and _______________ were glad when
summer break came.
 a. students:
b. students,
c. students;
d. students
 2. Sit up straight _____
a. ;
b. ?
c. .
d. :
 3. They asked what time the department store would open _____
?
b. .
c. ,
d. ;
 4. Who do you think will win the contest _____
a. .
b. !
c. ?
d. ,
 QUIZ TIME
 5. Choose the sentence below with the correct punctuation.
a. Ted and Janice, who had been friends for years, went on vacation together every summer.
b. Ted and Janice, who had been friends for years, went on vacation together, every summer.
c. Ted, and Janice who had been friends for years, went on vacation together every summer.
d. Ted and Janice who had been friends for years went on vacation together every summer.
 6. To _______________, Anne was on time for her math class.
a. everybody’s surprise
b. every body’s surprise
c. everybodys surprise
d. everybodys’ surprise
 QUIZ TIME

 7. In Edgar Allen Poe’s _______________________ Edgar Allen Poe describes a man with a guilty
conscience.
a. short story, “The Tell-Tale Heart,”
b. short story The Tell-Tale Heart,
c. short story, The Tell-Tale Heart
d. short story. “the Tell-Tale Heart,”
 8. Billboards are considered an important part of advertising for big business, ________________ by
their critics.
a. but, an eyesore;
b. but, “ an eyesore,”
c. but an eyesore
d. but-an eyesore
 9. I can never remember how to use those two common words, “sell,” meaning to trade a
product for money, or _____________________ meaning an event where products are traded
for less money than usual.
a. sale.
b. “sale,”
c. “sale
d. “to sale,”
 10. The class just finished reading ________________________ a short story by Carl
Stephenson about a plantation owner’s battle with army ants.
a. -”Leinengen versus the Ants”,
b. Leinengen versus the Ants,
c. “Leinengen versus the Ants,”
d. Leinengen versus the Ants
 QUIZ TIME

 11. This is absolutely incredible _____

 a. !
b. .
c. :
d. ;
 12. Watch out for the broken glass _____
a. .
b. ?
c. ,
d. !
 ANSWERS
 1. B
The comma separates a phrase.
 2. C
A period or an exclamation mark is used to end an imperative sentence, that is, at the end of a direction or a
command.
 3. B
A period is used to end an indirect question. An indirect question is always a part of a declarative sentence and it
does not require an answer.
 4. C
A question mark is used to end an interrogative sentence, that is, at the end of a direct question which requires
an answer.
 5. A
Use a comma to separate phrases.
 6. A
Possessive pronouns ending in ‘s’ take an apostrophe before the ‘s’: one’s; everyone’s;
somebody’s, nobody else’s, etc.
 ANSWERS

 7. A
Titles of short stories are enclosed in quotation marks.
 8. C
No additional punctuation is required here.
 9. B
Here the word “sale” is used as a “word” and not as a word in the sentence, so quotation
marks are used.
 10. C
Titles of short stories are enclosed in quotation marks, and commas always go
inside quotation marks. Use an exclamation mark to end an exclamatory sentence, that is, at the end of
a statement showing strong emotion.
 11. A
Use an exclamation mark after an imperative sentence if the command is urgent and forceful.
 12. D
Use an exclamation mark after an imperative sentence if the command is urgent and forceful.
 PARTS 2 – ERRORS IN PUNCTUATION
Bad Punctuation Examples and How to Avoid Them

 It’s vs. Its

We DO NOT use an apostrophe with the word it to show possession.

But we use an apostrophe to create a contraction (it is = it’s)

Its – shows the possession

It’s – it is a short form/ contraction of it is.

Try the examples –

1. _______ the house I told you about.
2. This milk is past ------ expiration date.
3. Dog is taking ____ stuffed toy to that corner.
4. -------- their problem, not ours.
Answers

 It’s/ it is
 Its
 Its
 It is / it’s
 PARTS 2 – ERRORS IN PUNCTUATION
Bad Punctuation Examples and How to Avoid Them

Wrong End Marks Placement with Quotations

 The use of quotations can be used to enclose either part of or all of a complete sentence. If the sentence being
quoted ends in an exclamation mark or question mark, they belong inside the quotation. Otherwise, they belong
outside the last quotation mark.
My boss was confused and asked, “Are you sure you closed the back door last night?”

Solve it: SELECT THE RIGHTLY PUNCTUATED SENTENCE:

1. John said, “Was that test easy?” // “, Was that test easy”?
2. Nisha said “,Get out of the room this instant”!// , “Get out of the room this instant!”
Answers

1. John said, “Was that test easy?”

2. 2. Nisha said, “Get out of the room this instant!”
 PARTS 2 – ERRORS IN PUNCTUATION
Bad Punctuation Examples and How to Avoid Them

Missing Commas
Commas have many rules associated with them, and it is important to include them where they belong.
Without their use, your sentences may be choppy or difficult to understand.
Use them in the following manner:
•To join two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction.
For example:
I am going to the pumpkin patch this weekend, and I plan on picking apples too.
•In dates and addresses.
For example:
The event begins in Plains, TX on September 22, 2023.
•After introductory words, phrases, and clauses
For example:
Once she met with the professor, explaining the directions to her team was easy.
•To offset nonessential information.
For example:
He thought the teacher, who was only 24 years old, was a great addition to the classroom.
•To separate items in a series
For example:
Pick up the groceries from the store, the mail from the PO box, and then the kids from school.
 PARTS 2 – ERRORS IN PUNCTUATION
Bad Punctuation Examples and How to Avoid Them

 Misplaced Periods
 Misusing periods can lead to fragments or run-on sentences: two issues that create
confusion for your reader. Be sure to place a period after the end of a complete sentence.
 For example:
• INCORRECT RUN-ON: It wasn’t hard to pass the class all she had to do was show up on
time the professor was more than fair about noticing the effort she put into her work.
• INCORRECT FRAGMENTS: The class wasn’t hard to show up. The professor was fair to
notice. All her effort.
• CORRECT: It wasn’t hard to pass the class. All she had to do was show up on time. The
professor was fair and noticed the effort she put into her work.
Add comma and period to test yourself

 He left the scene of the accident and tried to forget that it had happened.
 Oil which is lighter than water rises to the surface.
 Madame de Stael was an attractive gracious lady.
 Nice is a word with many meanings and some of them are contradictory.
 The contractor testified that the house was completed and that the work had been done
properly.
 PARTS 2 – ERRORS IN PUNCTUATION
Bad Punctuation Examples and How to Avoid Them

 Using Semicolons as Commas

 Semicolons are used in place of a period to separate two independent clauses to indicate their relation
to one another. They do not require the use of a coordinating conjunction.
 For example:
• INCORRECT: She was heading to the store; and she needed to buy milk
• CORRECT: She was heading to the store, and she needed to buy milk.
• CORRECT: She was heading to the store; she needed to buy milk.
 Semicolons are also used to separate complex items in a list that already have commas in them.
 For example:
• We traveled cross country on vacation, stopping in Walter, Texas for dinner; Oak Dale, Oklahoma to
sleep; and Fort Smith, Arkansas for breakfast the next day.
 PARTS 2 – ERRORS IN PUNCTUATION
Bad Punctuation Examples and How to Avoid Them

 Using Colons as Semicolons

 Colons are used after an independent clause to introduce a dependent clause or list of
items. They do not indicate a relationship between two complete sentences.
 For example:
• INCORRECT: The woods were dark that night: he could barely see the light from the
house through the trees.
• CORRECT: The woods were dark that night; he could barely see the light from the house
through the trees.
• CORRECT: The woods were dark that night: lights couldn’t be seen.
 PARTS 2 – ERRORS IN PUNCTUATION
Bad Punctuation Examples and How to Avoid Them

 Two Spaces After a Period

 Word processors, typewriters, and early computer word processing programs required
you to place two spaces after a period to create consistent formatting and easy reading.
Today, modern word processing doesn’t require this extra step. One space after a
period is fine.
 For example:
 INCORRECT: Tomorrow is Monday. That means I have an early morning meeting.
 CORRECT: Tomorrow is Monday. That means I have an early morning meeting.
 PARTS 2 – ERRORS IN PUNCTUATION
Bad Punctuation Examples and How to Avoid Them

 Overuse of Exclamation Marks

 It’s one thing to message a friend and use multiple exclamation marks to show
excitement. However, using more than one exclamation mark after a sentence or
multiple exclamation marks in each sentence should not be done.
 For example:
• INCORRECT: I’m so excited for this weekend!!!
• INCORRECT: We had so much fun this weekend! We really need to do it again! I can’t
wait!
• CORRECT: We had so much fun this weekend, and we really need to do it again. I can’t
wait!
Answers
 PARTS 2 – ERRORS IN PUNCTUATION
Bad Punctuation Examples and How to Avoid Them

 Avoiding Coordinating Conjunctions

 Avoid writing in fragments and overusing semicolons when you properly use
coordinating conjunctions to form complex compound sentences.
 For example:
• INCORRECT: We went to the beach. Played all day in the sun and sand. Had bonfires
that evening.
• CORRECT: We went to the beach and played all day in the sun and sand before we had a
bonfire that evening.
 PARTS 2 – ERRORS IN PUNCTUATION
Bad Punctuation Examples and How to Avoid Them

Not Capitalizing Titles

Titles should always be capitalized in order to indicate their importance and make them stand out against the rest of your text.
Words such as a, the, an, of, or, etc. should not be capitalized as part of a title unless it is the first word of the title.
For example:
•INCORRECT: Fear the walking dead
•CORRECT: Fear the Walking Dead

Overuse of Capitalizations
Do not capitalize words that do not follow the general rules of capitalization,
namely 1) The start of every sentence, 2) proper nouns, and 3) the word I.
For example:
•INCORRECT: We were Heading to California on our Road Trip, and when we stopped for Dinner, we realized we had a Flat Tire.
•CORRECT: We were heading to California on our road trip, and when we stopped for dinner, we realized we had a flat tire.
Test – using apostrophes
Answers
“
Thank you
”