Punctuation

Punctuation marks

You may possess good language skills and know how to express yourself in the language but without the knowledge of punctuation marks, your skills, especially written, is incomplete. A piece of writing which does not include punctuation marks is difficult to read as compared to a piece of writing which carries proper punctuation marks at the right places.

Commonly used punctuation marks

1. Comma (,)

The comma is used to indicate a short pause. It is used:

a. for words, phrases, and clauses in a series.

* For example,

Gandhiji, the Father of the Nation, died on 30th January, 1948.

b. when you address a person.

* For example,

"Yes, Sir."

c. to separate numbers, dates and address.

* For example,

I was born on 9th August, 1990 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

2. Semicolon (;)

 The semicolon represents a stronger pause than a comma. It is used to stress the close relationship between one sentence and another.

* For example,

Today we love what tomorrow we hate; today we seek what tomorrow we shun; today we desire what tomorrow we fear.

3. Colon (:)

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

* For example,

The principle parts of a verb in English are: the present tense, the past tense, and the past participle.

4. Full Stop (•) 

The full stop is used to mark the end of a declarative or an imperative sentence. It represents the greatest pause.

* For example,

Abirami, Suganya and Sudha are best friends.

5. Exclamation Mark (!)

The exclamation mark is used after interjections and after phrases and sentences expressing sudden emotion or wish.

* For example,

Alas! Oh dear!

6. Question Mark (?)

Question Mark is used, instead of the Full Stop, after a direct question.

* For example,

Have you finished writing?

7. Dash (−)

The dash is used to make an abrupt stop or change of thought.

* For example,

He has-you may not believe it-failed.

8. Inverted Commas (“ ”)

Inverted Commas are used to enclose the exact words of a speaker, or a quotation.

* For example,

"I would rather die," he exclaimed, "than join the oppressors of my country

9. Apostrophe (’)

Used to indicate either possession (e.g. Harry ' s book ; boys ' coats omission of letters or numbers (e.g. can ' t ; he ' s ; 1 Jan. ' 99 ).

10. Brackets ( )

Each of a pair of marks ( ) [ ] { } used to enclose words or figures so as to separate them from the context

* For example,

MS Dhoni (the former Cricket captain) resigned from cricket.

A. Punctuate the following sentences.

Period (.) Comma (,) Exclamation Mark (!) Question Mark (?) Quotation Mark (“ ”)

1. i like playing with my friends sandy sunny sameer

Answer: I like playing with my friends - Sandy, Sunny, &Sameer.

2. we went through the smoky mountains, near shimla on our way to leh

Answer: We went through the smoky mountains, near Shimla on our way to leh.

3. my favourite soap is pears and my favourite toothpaste is pepsodent

Answer: My favourite soap is Pears and my favourite toothpaste is pepsodent.

4. my friend priya speaks german and she is teaching me some words

Answer: My friend Priya speaks German and she is teaching me some words

5. he was honest sincere hard working

Answer: He was honest, sincere, hard working,

6. hindus muslims sikhs christians live together in India

Answer: Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians live together in India.

7. long ago in a town in Switzerland there lived a famous man called william

Answer: Long ago in a town in Switzerland there lived a famous man called Wiliam.

8. akbar the greatest of the mughal emperors ruled wisely

Answer: Akbar the greatest of the Mughal Emperors ruled wisely;

9. tanya said to ilarahul is a nice guy

Answer: Tanya said to Nila, “Rahul is a nice guy “.

10. when is your birthday

Answer: When is your birthday?

Period (.) Comma (,) Exclamation Mark (!) Question Mark (?) Quotation Mark (“ ”)

B. Write the correct punctuation mark that best completes each sentence.

Example 1. Congratulations_____ You graduated with honors____

Answer: Congratulations! You graduated with honors!

1. Where is an exciting place to visit __

Answer: Where is an exciting place to visit?

2. Make sure to complete all your homework on time __

Answer: Make sure to complete all your homework on time.

3. Priya asked when are wegoing on a vacation __

Answer: Priya asked, “When are we going on a vacation!

4. Terry Sam and Jeremy went to the movies together __

Answer: Terry! Sam and Jeremy went to the movies together.

5. Wow __ What a wonderful event __

Answer: Wow! What a wonderful event!

6. I am so excited to see my family for Christmas __

Answer: I am so excited to see my family for Christmas!

7. what day of the week is your favorite __

Answer: What day of the week is your favourite?

8. You need to do your homework right after dinner __

Answer: You need to do your homework right after dinner.

9. Please take out the trash when you get home __

Answer: Please take out the trash when you get home.

10. My favorite team won the game __

Answer: My favourite team won the game.

11. What did you want to eat for lunch __

Answer: What did you want to eat for lunch?

12. I had a great time at your party __

Answer: I had a great time at your party.

13. Do you know what time it is __

Answer: Do you know what time it is?

14. How do we get to the amusement park  __

Answer: How do we get to the amusement park?

15. I can't wait to go on summer vacation __

Answer: I can’t wait to go on summer vacation.