Have you ever read a sentence like this? I love eating my parents and watching TV. Does anything seem strange?
Yes, because it should have been written: I love eating, my parents, and watching TV. This indicates that I love three things.
See the difference? Proper punctuation is crucial for making your sentences clear in English.
To make things trickier, English punctuation follows specific rules that may differ from what you’re used to in other languages. This guide will help you understand and use English punctuation correctly, so you can write error-free sentences every time.
Types of Punctuation in English
Fortunately, punctuation marks are almost the same in English as in many other languages. Here’s a quick overview, with their names:
- Period (.) – Also called a full stop.
- Exclamation mark (!)
- Question mark (?)
- Comma (,)
- Colon (:)
- Semicolon (;)
- Dash (–)
- Quotation marks (” “) – Also called inverted commas.
- Apostrophe (‘)
- Parentheses ( ) – Also called brackets.
- Ellipsis (…)
1. Period / Full stop (.)
The period, called period in the United States and full stop in the United Kingdom; it is used to mark the end of a declarative sentence.
| Example sentence | Usage |
|---|---|
| My name is John and I live in England. | Use a period to conclude statements or facts. Avoid using it in place of a question mark or exclamation mark. |
2. Exclamation mark (!)
It is also known as an exclamation point. Like the period, it ends a sentence, but adds emphasis, surprise, or strong emotion.
| Example sentence | Usage |
|---|---|
| It’s already 6! | Use an exclamation mark to show strong feelings or urgency. Be cautious not to overuse it in formal writing. |
3. Question mark (?)
Also called an interrogation point. It is the third punctuation mark used to end a sentence which is in the form of a direct question.
| Example sentence | Usage |
|---|---|
| Is he awake? | A question mark is only used for direct questions. For indirect questions, use a period instead. |
Note: Indirect questions do not use a question mark, but a full stop.
| Example sentence | Usage |
|---|---|
| I asked if he was awake. | Indirect questions report the question rather than ask it directly, so they don’t require a question mark. |
4. Comma (,)
The comma is used within a sentence, never at the end. Its usage in English differs slightly from other languages, so let’s explore it in detail.
Separating items in a list or actions
The comma is used to separate elements in a sentence, such as items in a list, actions, or events; this includes nouns, adjectives, and verbs.
| Example sentence | Usage |
|---|---|
| One, two, three, four… | Use commas between items in a list. |
| He ate, drank and went to bed. | Use commas to separate sequential actions or events in a sentence. |
After introductory words or phrases
Commas are placed after adverbs and logical connectors (such as still, in fact, moreover, however, therefore) when they appear at the start of a sentence.
| Example sentence | Usage |
|---|---|
| Moreover, we can’t afford it. | This helps clarify the flow of the sentence and emphasizes the transition. |
With certain adverbs
Some adverbs (too, then, yet, so, instead), not necessarily placed at the beginning of a sentence, can be preceded or followed by a comma, but this is not always required.
| Example sentence | Usage |
|---|---|
| I want to go too! I want to go, too! | The placement of the comma depends on the writer’s preference or the emphasis they want to create. |
In dates
Commas are also used in dates, particularly in American English, and often in large numbers. In British English, commas in dates are less common.
| Example sentence | Usage |
| November 28, 2024, is a Thursday. | In U.S. English, use a comma between the day and year and after the year when the sentence continues. |
| December 25, 2024 or 1,000,000. | Commas make dates and numbers clearer to read. |
4.1. Special case: Oxford comma
You may have encountered this term without fully understanding it. Let’s break it down. The Oxford comma, also called the serial comma or Harvard comma by Americans, is an additional comma placed after the final item in a list, just before the coordinating conjunction (and, or, or nor).
This extra comma is particularly useful in sentences where its absence could lead to ambiguity.
Example With Oxford Comma:
| Example sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| I met the girls, Sarah, and Jessica. | The speaker met a group of girls as well as Sarah and Jessica separately. |
Let’s compare with the same sentence, without the Oxford comma:
| Example sentences | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| I met the girls, Sarah and Jessica. | This sentence can mean the same as the previous sentence (the girls and Sarah and Jessica). |
| I met the girls, Sarah and Jessica. | Alternatively, it could imply that the girls are Sarah and Jessica (i.e., Sarah and Jessica are the girls the speaker met). The Oxford comma clarifies the meaning and eliminates confusion in such cases. |
Thus, we can also understand that the speaker met the girls, who are Sarah and Jessica. The element the girls is a group of which Sarah and Jessica are members. The Oxford comma therefore makes the sentence more precise in the reader’s mind and eliminates any risk of confusion.
When the oxford comma isn’t necessary
In some simpler lists where ambiguity isn’t an issue, the oxford comma can be omitted.
I need bread, butter and milk.
It’s clear that the speaker needs three separate food items: bread, butter, and milk. Including the Oxford comma (I need bread, butter, and milk.) is optional here, as the meaning is already clear.
So be sure to use the Oxford comma in sentences that could be misinterpreted to make your meaning obvious.
In clear, straightforward lists, the Oxford comma is optional and depends on the writer’s or organization’s style preference.
5. Colon (:)
The colon is a versatile punctuation mark that has several uses. It is used for:
- introducing a list
- before a description or definition
- to provide an explanation
| Example sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| We need politicians who are: honest, energetic and relatable. | The colon introduces a list of qualities that clarify what kind of politicians are needed. |
| I had an awful day: I lost my car key and had to walk in the rain. | The colon connects the initial statement (I had an awful day) with an explanation of why the day was bad. |
6. Semicolon (;)
The semicolon is used in two primary ways:
First, a semicolon is used to join two related independent clauses when no coordinating conjunction (such as and, but or or ) is used.
| Example sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| I went to the theater; I was told the play was canceled. | The two clauses are independent (complete sentences) though closely related in meaning. Connect using a semicolon instead of a conjunction like and, but, or or. |
The semicolon can also be used in complex lists, to complete commas.
| Example sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| I’ve visited the following cities: San Diego, California; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Lincoln, Nebraska. | The semicolon separates items in a list when the items themselves contain commas. This avoids confusion and ensures clarity. |
7. Dash (—)
The dash is a punctuation mark distinct from the hyphen (–). In English, there are two main types of dashes:
- Em Dash (—): A longer dash is used for emphasis or interruptions.
- En Dash (–): A shorter dash is often used for ranges or connections (e.g., 10–20 people).
The dash (long or short) can be used to isolate an element from the rest of the sentence.
| Example sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| You may think it’s easy—it’s not. You may think it’s easy – it’s not. | The em dash isolates and emphasizes the second part of the sentence, adding dramatic effect. The en dash can also be used in this context, though it is less common in modern English. |
The long dash has two other uses. First, it marks an interruption in the sentence.
| Example sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Leave me alone, or else— | The em dash indicates an abrupt pause or interruption, leaving the sentence intentionally unfinished for emphasis or suspense. |
Secondly, it can be used to indicate who is the author of a quote.
For example :
| Example sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat. — Winston Churchill | The em dash is used to clearly separate the quote from its attribution (the speaker’s name). |
Dashes are versatile and add stylistic flair to writing when used sparingly and appropriately.
8. Quotation mark (“ ” or “ ”)
Quotation marks are used to introduce direct speech, quotations, or to add emphasis or irony to words or phrases. English uses double quotation marks for primary quotes.
| Example sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “I’m going to the museum”, he said. | The quotation marks indicate the exact words spoken by the subject. They clarify that this is a direct quote rather than a paraphrase. |
They can also be used to mark a distance, a nuance of irony in relation to the statement.
| Example sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The “best restaurant in town” turned out to be pretty awful. | The quotation marks highlight the phrase “best restaurant in town” to suggest sarcasm or disbelief, distancing the writer from the statement’s literal meaning. |
The quotation marks we’ve discussed so far are double (“ ”), but did you know there’s also a single version? They are denoted ‘ ‘ or ‘ ‘.
In general (especially in American English), double quotation marks are used for the main quotation, while single quotation marks are used for a quotation inside another quotation.
Here is an example to make it clearer:
| Example sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “Didn’t he say ‘I’m going to the beach’ this morning?”, Danny asked the audience. | The single quotation marks are used for the quote within the larger quote, while the double quotation marks enclose the main statement. |
Typography Rules: Correctly using punctuation in English
Should you leave a space between a word and a punctuation mark? This is a common question, regardless of the language. Since English typography is different from some other languages, it’s helpful to review the basics.
1. Full stop / period: space after
As in many languages, the period comes immediately after the word, with no space before it, followed by a space after to start the next sentence.
- I’m hungry. Let’s eat.
2. Comma: space after
Similarly, the comma is placed directly after the word, followed by a space.
- We need one egg, oil and vinegar.
3. Colon: space after
Unlike in some languages, there is no space before the colon in English, but a space always follows it.
- America has everything: the sea, mountains, countryside.
4. Semicolon: space after
The semicolon follows the same rule: no space before, but a space after.
- I like your mother; she’s a good person.
5. Exclamation mark: space after
In English, there is no space between a word and an exclamation mark. This differs from some other languages.
- Get out of here!
6. Question mark: space after
The rule is the same as for the exclamation mark: no space before the question mark, and a space after.
- Could you hand me the tea? That would be very nice of you.
7. Dash: variable
The rules for spacing with dashes depend on the type of dash used, whether it is a long dash ( — ) or a short dash ( – ).
- Em Dash (—): No space before or after.
This place—which was beautiful—reminded me of home.
- En Dash (–): A space is used before and after.
This place – which was beautiful – reminded me of home.
Dashes in Quotes: There is always a space before and after a dash used to attribute a quote.
Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. — Benjamin Franklin
8. Quotation mark: no space before and after the quoted text
In English, quotation marks are placed directly around the quoted text, with no space between the marks and the text.
- He said: “Let’s shop!”
Other punctuation marks
Here are other punctuation marks in English that you might encounter, along with their names, brief usage explanations, and examples.
| Sign | Name | Usage | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| ‘ | Apostrophe | Used for contractions or to show possession. | It’s cold outside. (contraction) John’s book. (possession) |
| () | Parentheses or round brackets | Used to include extra or non-essential information within a sentence. | He arrived late (as expected). |
| [] | Square brackets | Used to add editorial notes or clarifications within a quotation. | She said, “He [the manager] will arrive shortly.” |
| {} | Braces or curly brackets | Used in specialized fields like mathematics or programming. | Set A = {1, 2, 3} |
| … | Ellipsis | Indicates omitted text or a trailing thought. | I was thinking… maybe later. |
| – | Hyphen | Used to connect words or parts of words. | Well-known author |
| @ | At sign (pronounced at) | Used in email addresses and social media handles. | Email me at john@example.com. |
| & | Ampersand (pronounced and) | A shorthand for “and,” is often used in names or titles. | Johnson & Johnson |
| / | Slash | Used to indicate alternatives or fractions. | He/she will attend. 3/4 cup |
| \ | Backslash | Primarily used in file paths or programming. | C:\Users\Documents |
| _ | Underscore | Often used in file names or programming. | file_name_example.txt |
| % | Percent sign | Indicates percentages. | 50% off all items! |
| # | Number sign / hash / pound | Used for numbering or hashtags in social media. | #TravelGoals Apartment #5 |
| | | Vertical bar or pipe | Used in programming or as a separator. | if (A || B) { executeTask(); } (The || means OR in many programming languages.)Name | Age | Country (Used in table formatting or to divide data fields.) |
| ` | backtick | Often used in programming, especially in markdown, shell scripting, and template literals in JavaScript. | `date` retrieves the current date and time in some command-line environments. |
Some of these marks have specialized uses in fields like science, mathematics, or computing, but these are the most common examples you’ll encounter.
For further learning
English punctuation is a broad and nuanced topic that can sometimes feel overwhelming.
In this guide, I’ve focused on presenting the most essential information to help you use punctuation effectively in your sentences.
If you’d like to explore the topic in more depth, consider checking out the Wikipedia article on punctuation. It provides detailed explanations and even links to specific pages for each punctuation mark.
