SEMICOLONS (;)
WHATEVER YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT USING THE CORRECT PUNCTUATION OF SEMICOLONS (;)
SEMICOLONS ARE USED IN A VARIETY OF WAYS IN DIFFERENT CONTEXTS
Semicolons are used to separate the closely related
independent clauses which are not joined by conjunctive
adverbs like: FANBOYS
Ex: I am going to order fish; he is going to order rice.
Ex: There is a wide variety of novel books in the library for sell; there are historical books and
geological books as well.
Ex: I am going to study English language; She is going to study Chinese.
Ex: Being smart means having the ability to analyze concepts clearly and easily; being
sluggish means lacking the analytical ability.
RULE 2
Use semicolons when you have conjunctive adverbs linking
two independent clauses for instance, moreover,
nevertheless, however, otherwise, therefore and so on.
Ex: I can come to your party tomorrow; however, I will arrive late.
Ex: There will be more problems if you illegally go to other countries; therefore, you have to
be careful.
Ex: Playing soccer with bare foot will make you even worse; nevertheless, you want to play
it.
Ex: Economic stability is crucial for every country’s development; moreover, military
stability counts as one of the other most integral parts of a country’s improvement.
RULE 3
Use semicolons to separate the items in a series of internal
punctuation.
Ex: Respectively, there are some major centers of business in Kabul, Afghanistan; Tehran,
Iran, Doshanbe, Tajikistan; and Barcelona Spain;
Ex: Python, backend-development; React, front-end development; database, CRUD; and
finally designing are the crucial skills required for every programmer in order to improve
and burgeon in this modern world.
COMMA PUNCTUATION
WHATEVER YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COMMA RULES.
SERIAL COMMA :
RULE 1
Use comma to make a separation among the items of a list.
Ex: There will a crucial need for geography, physics, chemistry, and English subjects’ deep
understanding.
Ex: I have taken the TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo English tests so far.
Ex: The time he is going to the super market he needs to buy, pen, book, notebooks, and
some markers.
RULE 2
Separate independent clauses when they are joined by
FANBOYS. (Put the comma before conjunction. )
Ex: The tour guide was well informed, but his assistant was so arrogant and ignorant.
Ex: There will be some punishment for those soldiers who go rogue, and there is no
exception in our country about it as well.
Ex: He gave the match his best shot, but he failed to dominate rival.
Ex: Learning English language requires a great deal of effort, so it needs more practice.
RULE 3
Use comma to make a separation between dependent clauses and
independent clauses in a sentence.
Dependent clause: makes an incomplete meaning.
Dependent clauses start with some of the following words: if, because,
although, however, while, when, and so on.
Independent clause: makes a complete meaning.
Ex: When he comes to show him off, you have the opportunity to make a plot against him
to break him down.
Ex: Because he can speak Spanish fluently, he is able to interact with everybody fairly
easily.
Ex: While he is speaking English, you can listen to him.
Ex; Although the lessons are hard to grasp, but with practice makes perfect.
RULE 4
Use comma to make a separation among the any words or
phrases which are not essential for the meaning of the
sentence.
Ex: Ahmad, my brother, student of college, 13 years old is studying English in America.
Ex: My friend, Ali, who is very persistent helps me in my lessons.
Ex: Iphone x, product of Apple company, which costs 1000 $ has a really great lens for
photographing.
RULE 5
Use comma to make a separation between a quotation and
the rest of the sentence.
Quotation: (“ “)
Ex; He said, “ I will help you in any situation of your life.”
Ex: “ I will help you in any situation of your life,” he said.
Ex: Ahmad’s boss yelled, “ Get back to your work and don’t waste the time.”
Ex: “Get back to your work and don’t waste the time,” Ahmad’s boss yelled.
RULE 6
Use comma to make a separation between the introductory
phrases in a sentence.
Ex: Hey, how are you doing?
Ex: Wow, this books looks so expensive.
Ex: OMG, there are some tremendous signs of massive volcano erupted in that village.
Ex: Sorry, I need to take my leave.
RULE 7
Use comma to make a separation between cities and
countries or states.
Ex: I come from a very agricultural province of my country Kabul, Afghanistan.
Ex: Currently, he studies in Barcelona, Spain.
Ex: Berlin, Germany is the city I like to visit once at least on my lifetime.
RULE 8
Use comma to make a separation between the days of the
week, month and so on. ( Simply use it date)
Ex: Today is Wednesday, March, 2022.
Ex: Our president was born in 23, July, 1985.
COLONS (:)
WHATEVER YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COLON RULES.
RULE 1
Use a colon to introduce an item or list if the list comes after
a complete sentence.
Ex: We need many things for the party: cups, napkins, ice, and balloons.
Ex: Last year, I visited many countries: Spain, Italy, USA, Canada and so on.
Ex: There are many subjects taught in Afghanistan’s schools: Chemistry, Geology, Dari and
Pashto.
RULE 2
Use a colon to provide further clarification in a sentence.
Ex: We have two options: eat at home, eat at restaurant.
Ex: We are living in a country which is located in the south eastern of Asia continent:
Afghanistan.
Ex: I am not sure what to do: quit the job, or stay for another year.
Ex: We are strong: when we are united and together and have a good understanding of
each other.
RULE 3
Use colon to show emphasize on someone or something.
Ex: She was always there for one person: her mother.
Ex: I have always struggled with one subject in school and university: Mathematics.
Ex: We have only one goal: wining the tournament.
Ex: I finally found my desired university in America: Simmons university.
RULE 4
Use colons to separate independent clauses. It is used
especially when the second clause is closely related to the
first one.
Ex: The judge made his decision: we lost the battle.
Ex: The results were in: I got the highest score.
Ex: I made my decision: I want to take the TOEFL test.
RULE 5
Use a colon before a quote when the quote is introduced by
a complete sentence.
Ex: Jack said, “ don’t go there.”
Ex: Jack said only one rule: “ don’t go there by any means.”
Ex: I told him the third rule: “ Never skip your English classes.”
Ex: He yelled on his workers and told them:” You have to rush because we don’t have
enough time.”
RULE 6
• In a presentation, we use colons to introduce a
bulleted or numbered list:
• Ex: In today’s lesson we will cover:
• Grammar
• Pronunciation
• Spelling
• Listening
EXCLAMATION RULES “ ! “
WHATEVER YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EXCLAMATION PUNCTUATION
WHAT IS EXCLAMATION
We use exclamation to “ to exclaim” something. To exclaim
something means to cry out suddenly in surprise, strong
emotion, or pain.
Ex: Here he comes! Ex: I have you! EX: Stop doing it!
RULE 1
An exclamation mark replaces a period at the end of a
sentence. It can also replace a midsentence comma if it is
inside quotation marks.
Ex: let’s get married!. Ex: Let’s get married!
Ex: “Help me!, “ Bob yelled. Ex: “ Help me!” Bob yelled.
RULE 2
Use exclamation mark to express a great emotion at the end
of an imperative sentence.
Ex: Sit down. Ex: Sit down right now!
Ex: Be careful. Ex: Be careful!
RULE 3
Put the exclamation mark at the end of a quotation if it
applies to the words enclosed by the quotation marks.
Ex: “ I just got my promotion!” my dad exclaimed.
Ex: “ He finally made it and won the match after ten times!” Ahmad said to his friend
Mahmood.
RULE 4
If the exclamation mark applies to the sentences as a whole,
then put it at the end of the sentence.
Ex: After that, my boss told everyone that they are fired for being “ completely useless”!
Ex: “ just about one minute late arrived, “ he said to his students and then dismissed them
all!
RULE 5
We use exclamation mark mostly in informal writing.
Ex: Hey Jack! How it is going? I can’t wait to see you tomorrow! Congratulations on your
engagement!
Note: Be careful with its usage in formal writing.
Note: No usage in resume or cover letters.
CAPITALIZATION PUNCTUATION
WHATEVER YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CAPITALIZATION RULES
RULE 1
Always capitalize the first word of a sentence.
Ex: I am going to go to school and get done my job before the lunch.
Ex: He is my brother and we are studying together in the university.
Ex: living in United States of America is a whole another experience full of joys and ups
and downs.
RULE 2
Capitalize names and proper nouns.
Ex: Kabul, Afghanistan, Ahmad, Mahmood, Ali, Jack, Egypt, and so on.
Note: Capitalize Cities, Countries, Nationalities, and languages.
Ex: He lives in Paris, France in the Europe continent.
RULE 3
Capitalize the first word of a quote if the quote is a
complete sentence.
Ex: Ahmad said, “ We will be able to afford the new cost of the furniture and apartment in
the new building.”
Ex: Ali said, “ we are strong” and went on to saying more information about the motivation
and self confidence.
RULE 4
Don’t capitalize seasons.
Ex: I enjoy Christmas every winter in the United States of America.
Ex: Spring, summer, fall and winter would be totally different in another planets like
exoplanets.
RULE 5
Capitalize most words in titles. Generally it belongs to the
different styles of writing.
Mostly capitalize the first words of every verbs, adjectives, adverbs, nouns,
names, and so on.
Lowercase the prepositions, conjunctions, articles and so on.
But some styles of writing emphasized on uppercasing the prepositions and
conjunctions which are longer than 5 letters.
Ex: Have you seen Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire?
Ex: My favorite show is Game of Thrones.
Ex: The Monk who Sold his Ferrari is the name of the book I am reading currently.
RULE 6
Always capitalize the pronoun “ I “.
Ex: I have never been to another country; therefore, I don’t know anything about their
culture.
Ex: There might be someone to help you in your lessons, but I had no one to lend me an
hand in my lessons.
Ex: Ahmad, Mahmood, and I will be there for you to help you get through the problems
easily.
RULE 7
Capitalize the official title of a person when used with that
person’s name.
Ex: Many people miss President Obama since he was very popular and famous in the
world.
Ex: I am going to help you in your lessons, but Teacher Mahmood will not be present
there.
Ex: Dr. Ahmad is a great man, on the other side, Engineer Sameer is not as
considerable as he is.
APOSTROPHE ( ‘ )
WHATEVER YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT APOSTROPHE RULES.
RULE 1
Add (‘s ) to a singular nouns to show ownership even if the noun
ends in (s).
Ex: Ahmad’s apartment is on the South side.
Ex: Jack’s friends are always present to help him everywhere.
RULE 2
If a noun is plural and ends in -s, just add an apostrophe.
Ex: My books’ covers are falling off.
Ex: My brothers’ students are really smart and careful in their lessons.
If the noun is plural but doesn’t end in s, then add ‘s.
Ex: there is a great diversity of children’s toys scattered on the ground.
Ex: His teeth’s strength is decreasing as he is consuming more and more tobacco.
Ex: Women’s veil is considered as one of the most important aspects of Islam religion.
RULE 3
Do not use apostrophe to form the plural form of a noun.
Ex: She went camping with her sister’s and brothers.
Ex: All of the highway’s to the airport are under construction.
RULE 4
Do not use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns.
Because these pronouns already show possession or
ownership.
Ex: is the bag your’s?
Ex: The class on the right side is our’s.
Ex: Whatever you see in the museum is from no one but their’s.
Possessive pronouns are as follow:
My, Mine, Your, Yours, His , her , hers, It ,Its , Our, ours, Their,
Theirs, Whose.
RULE 5
Using apostrophe to make contractions.
A contraction is formed by joining two words and leaving
one or more of the letters.
Ex: she’s on her way.
Ex: it’s my computer that I bought it two years ago.
Ex: there’s a great deal of money spent on the infrastructure of our country especially in
the economic infrastructure.
COMMON CONTRACTIONS
Aren’t= Are not I’m= I am They’d= They would/ They
had
Can’t= Cannot I’ve= I have They’ll= They will
Couldn’t= could not isn’t= Is not They’re= They
are
Didn’t= did not it’s= it is / It has They’ve= They have
Don’t = Do not let’s=let us Who’d= Who would/ Who had
He’d= he would/ He had She’d= She would/ she had Who’ll= Who will
He’ll= he will She’ll= she will Who’s= Who is
He’s= he is She’s= She is / She has Won’t= Will not
I’d= I would/ I had There’s= There is Wouldn’t= Would not
You’d= You would/ You had You’ll= You will You’ve= You have
RULE 6: APOSTROPHE WITH JOINT OWNERSHIP
Using only one apostrophe with more than one noun indicate a singly
unified ownership which belongs to all those mentioned subjects
simultaneously.
Ex: Ahmad and Mahmood’s ball is really great, since it was bought with a great amount of money.
Ex; Jack and Sara’s children are really smart and compassionate.
Using more than one apostrophe with each noun indicates multiple
ownership all at the same time. Which means that there are more
than one ownership.
Ex: Ahmad’s and Mahmood’s books are really expensive, since they were bought from one of the most
ancient libraries of the city.
Ex: jack’s and Sara’s children are really smart and compassionate.
