Punctuation Marks

Punctuation marks are used to determine the structure and organisation of sentences. Here are some common punctuation marks you need to know:

Punctuation mark	Name	What it does
.	Full stop (US: period)	Creates an interruption to mark the end of a sentence.
,	Comma	Creates a small interruption within a sentence to help clarify meaning. Used between items in a list. Used before a speech mark. Used to create a slight pause and emphasis before a joining word (eg and, but, however, instead).
;	Semi-colon	Replaces a full stop or "and" between two or more sentences that share a theme. Used before a joining word when a stronger pause and emphasis is required.
:	Colon	Used at the end of a sentence to show an answer, elaboration or explanation follows, eg a list, quotation, answer or contrast.
"	Quotation or double speech marks/inverted commas	Used to show spoken words. Used around odd or unusual terms, jargon or slang. Used around titles when italics are unavailable.
'	Single speech marks	Used to quote a different speaker's words within speech. Used to make difficult plurals, eg "How many 's's are there in 'embarrasses'?"
?	Question mark	A replacement for a full stop when the sentence is a question.
!	Exclamation mark	A replacement for a full stop to suggest surprise or shock.
...	Ellipsis/trailing dots	Used to show unimportant words have been missed from a quotation. Used informally to show an incomplete sentence.
( )	Round brackets/parentheses	Used around strong "parenthetical information", ie an inserted comment, aside, explanation or additional information.
—	Dashes	Used around a less strong comment, explanation or aside.
, ... ,	Bracketing or parenthetical commas	Used around additional information not crucial to the meaning of the sentence.
-	Hyphen	Used to shows a word is incomplete at the end of a line. Used between compound words, eg no-one, all-encompassing.
'	Apostrophe	Used (often before "s") to show possession, eg the book's cover. Used to show a missing letter, eg "hasn't".
[ ]	Square brackets	Used around words added to a quotation.

Which Punctuation?!

Choose whether the following statements are true (correct) or false (not correct).

1.  A sentence ending in an exclamation mark is a question.  TrueFalse

2. A statement should end in a full stop.  TrueFalse

3. A question expresses strong feelings.  TrueFalse

4. A question mark comes at the end of a statement. TrueFalse

5. 'What' is a question word.  TrueFalse

Decide whether the sentences below are simple statements, questions or exclamations, then choose the correct punctuation to finish them.

1. You make me so angry .?!    This is a statement.an exclamation.a question.

2. Are you feeling better today .?!   This is an exclamation.a statement.a question.

3. What is your sister's name .?!  This is a statement.a question.an exclamation.

4. When did you go to the zoo .?!   This is a statement.a question.an exclamation.

5. When I went to the shop, they didn't have any sugar .?!   This is a statement.a question.an exclamation.

6. I went in and sat down .?!  This is a statement.a question.an exclamation.

7. It's good to see you .?!   This is a statement.a question.an exclamation.

8. I haven't seen you for a long time .!?   This is a statement.a question.an exclamation.

9. Where have you been .?!   This is a statement.an exclamation.a question.

10. What are your plans for today?.!  This is a question.a statement.an exclamation.