Punctuation Matters Flashcards
A ______________ are individual symbols used for this purpose, such as a full stop or period, comma, or question mark. It is the specific symbol used within it.
Punctuation mark
This is a system of symbols that we use when writing to clarify meaning and indicate pauses or emphasis.
Punctuation
This is used after an abbreviation, after numbers and letters in outlines, after a declarative sentence, an imperative sentence, or an indirect question.
Period
Examples:
They will join the game.
Clean the room.
I just asked why you were late.
This is a punctuation mark usually used after an interjection or exclamation to indicate strong feelings or to show emphasis.
Exclamation point
Examples:
Oh! That is a gorgeous dress!
Wow! I can’t believe I ran into you here.
This is used to end a question or to end a statement intended as a question.
Question mark
Examples:
Did you read the essay?
They joined your team?
This is used to separate three or more items in a series. It is also used after salutation in friendly letters, in addresses, in large numbers, in dates, and between a name and title.
Comma
Examples:
I will buy pencils, papers, and crayons.
Dear Jeff,
Block 1, Lot 3, Josefina Subdivision
2,657 volunteers
February 21, 1993
Jane Martin, Ph.D.
It is used to separate the beginning word, phrase, or clause. It is also used to separate independent clauses in compound sentences.
Comma
Examples:
Yes, I will get it for you.
I cannot carry these boxes, so I need someone to help me.
This is used in appositives.
Comma
Example:
Althea, a famous dancer, will conduct free dance lessons next week.
This replaces a comma in introducing a quotation. Gives emphasis or directs attention to an explanation.
Colon
Examples:
She said: “I believe the time is now or never.”
He has only one goal in mind : to gain more power and honor.
This is after a complete sentence to introduce a list of items, or after the greeting of the person’s name in a business letter.
Colon
Examples:
On my trip I will bring: clothes, a pillow, a sleeping bag, a toothbrush, and my teddy bear.
Dear Ms. Jazmine:
This is used to connect related independent clauses and is also used together with conjunctive adverbs like moreover, nevertheless, however, otherwise, therefore, then, finally, likewise, consequently, etc.
Semicolon
Examples:
Martha has gone to the library; her sister has gone to play soccer.
I’m not all that fond of the colors of tiger lilies; moreover, they don’t smell very good.
This is used in contractions, to show possession, numbers and omissions.
Apostrophe
Examples:
I’ve seen that movie several times. She wasn’t the only one who knew the answer.
High school students’ scores have been gradually improving over the last several years.
They witnessed many events in the ’60s.
This is used to form compound words.
Hyphen
Example:
I went to lunch with my father-in-law.
This is used to express ranges.
En dash
Example:
The homework exercises are on pages 20–27.
This is used to indicate a pause or interrupted speech.
Em dash
Example:
The thief was someone nobody expected — me!
This is used to set off a direct quotation. It is also used around a word or phrase that we see as slang or jargon.
Double quotation marks
Example:
“I hope you will be here,” he said.
The police were called to a “disturbance” – which in a reality was a pretty big fight.
This is used to enclose additional or supplemental information that clarifies or illustrates a point. It is also used to enclose numbers or letters introducing items in a list or outline.
Parentheses
Example:
In a business letter the salutation and the body of the letters are flush left (against the left margin).
There are five steps in cleaning an aquarium: (a) Put the fish somewhere else; (b) drain the water out; (c) scrub the inside of the glass; (d) add dechlorinated fresh water; and (e) return the fish.
What are the four types of Parentheses?
- Parentheses or round brackets
- Square brackets or box brackets
- Braces or curly brackets
- Angle brackets or chevrons
Identify what type of Parentheses is being described in the sentence below.
Andrew Sissons (the author) lived in New York until the age of 16.
Parentheses or round brackets
Identify what type of Parentheses is being described in the sentence below.
Write your drink choice {coke, lemonade, coffee, tea, green tea, water} on the ticket.
Braces or curly brackets
Identify what type of Parentheses is being described in the sentence below.
He said: I know he [James] was last.
Square brackets or box brackets
Identify what type of Parentheses is being described in the sentence below.
“Hello Jonathan. How are you?” <You> (shows an aside thought)</You>
Angle brackets or chevrons
This is used to indicate that words were removed from a quote.
Ellipsis
Example:
Brandon remarked, “… and will not arrive until 5:15 pm”.
Michael reminded us, “The school day at all schools…begins at 8:30 am” .
Jennifer explained, “Due to unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to arrive on time…”
What is the name of this Typographical symbol “*” ?
Asterisk
