Punctuations

Capital LettersSmall Letters

CommaFull Stop

SemicolonColon

ParenthesisSquare Brackets

HypenDash

Exclamation MarkQuestion MarkQuatation Mark

Apostrophe

Capital LettersCapital Letters

First letter of a sentence

Pronoun “I”

Proper nouns: names of people, places, organization, countries, nationalities &

languages

Days of week, Months of the year & holidays

Trade marks & Abbreviation (short forms)

CommaComma

Before but, and, for, or, so, yet(Ex. The game was over, but the crowd refused to leave.)

After phrases, clauses(Ex. While I was eating, the cat jumped in.During the holidays, we went to Singapore.

To get a seat, you better come early.The food, on the other hand, is bland.

That Tuesday, which happens to be a public holiday, we can cancel the meeting.)

After yes, no, however, well, therefore, hence(Yes, the package should arrive soon.

However, you may not be satisfied with the results.)

Semi ColonSemi Colon

Link two complete sentences

(Ex. I'm going to the store; I need to buy oranges.My name is Teo; I'm studying at New Era College.)

Use in a sentence before conjunctions

(I wanted to send the goods today; however, I had to cancel it due to the bad weather.)

ColonColon

Introducing list or examples

(Ex. I need to order a few things: A4 size paper, staplers, blue pens, and English dictionary.

Separate book titles, hour and time

(Ex. English Grammar : A Useful Guide3:30 p.m.)

ParenthesisParenthesis

To set off words, hrases, clauses or sentences

Ex. Carl wanted a car (Proton Exora).Take this over to that girl ( the one with red hair)

and tell her to read it.Although she has three pets (two dogs and one

cat), she left them with her aunt.

ParenthesisParenthesis

To enclose number, letter, or symbol

Ex. There were eight (8) new rules added.Be sure to include a copyright (@) symbol in that

statement.

To enclose area code of a phone number

Ex. (04) 235-9788

Square BracketsSquare Brackets

To show an addition to a direnct quotation

'Hello everyone. I hope that you [the employees] will enjoy the meeting this evening.'

HyphenHyphen

Compound nounsEx. no-smoking sign

Instead of 'to'Ex. page 45 - 65

DashDash

To show a change of thoughtEx. We went to Pulau Langkawi last year – or perhaps

the year before the last.

To explainEx. The reporter pursued the woman – he wanted to get

some responses from her.

Use double dashEx. She saw her sisters – all five of them – standing in

front of the building.

Exclamation MarkExclamation Mark

To show strong feelings or raised voicesEx. Go away! I hate you!

Shut up!

A non-question begins with “what” or “how”Ex. How pretty she looked in that dress!

What idiots we are!

Informal writingEx. Remember, don't be late!

I'll never understand this!

Questions MarksQuestions Marks

To askEx. Are there any letters for me this morning?

Turn a statement into a questionEx. She didn't actually quit her job?

Question TagsThere is an order, isn't it?

You found the documents, didn't you?

The opostropheThe opostrophe

Contractions – short formsEx. isn't, she's, I've, They're

Possessive FormEx. Did you see Molly's letter?

There is a discount on the ladies' shoes.