Grammar

Definition:
Punctuation is a set of symbols used to separate and clarify
the meaning of sentences and written elements.
It tells readers where to pause, indicates quotations,
clarifies omissions, and more. Here are some essential punctuation marks:

Period (Full Stop):
Used to end a sentence.
Example: “She loves to read.”

Comma:
Separates items in a list, introduces clauses, and provides clarity.
Example: “I bought apples, bananas, and oranges.” Example: “After work, I went to the gym.”
Apostrophe:

Indicates possession or contraction.
Example (possession): “The cat’s tail.”
Example (contraction): “It’s a sunny day.”

Colon:
Introduces lists, explanations, or quotations.
Example (list): “Please bring the following items: pen, paper, and calculator.”
Example (explanation): “The rule is simple: practice daily.”
Example (quotation): “He said: ‘Life is an adventure.’”

Semicolon:
Connects related independent clauses.
Example: “She loves hiking; he prefers swimming.”

Question Mark:
Indicates a question.
Example: “Where is the nearest library?”

Exclamation Mark:
Expresses strong emotion or emphasis.
Example: “Wow! What a beautiful sunset!”

Quotation Marks:
Enclose direct speech or titles.
Example (direct speech): “She said, ‘I’ll be there.’”
Example (titles): “I read ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’”

Hyphen:
Joins words or parts of words.
Example: “Well-known author.”

Dash:
Used for emphasis or to set off information.
Example (emphasis): “The view—spectacular!”
Example (information): “My favorite color—blue—is calming.”
Ellipsis: Indicates omitted words or a trailing thought.
Semicolon: Joins related independent clauses.
Apostrophe: Shows possession or contraction.
Slash: Separates alternatives.
Parentheses and Brackets: Enclose additional information.
Punctuation Rules:
Comma Splice: Avoid joining independent clauses with just a comma.
Comma Before “And”: Use a comma before “and” in a list.
Comma Before “Too”: Include a comma before “too” in a sentence.
Comma After Question Mark: Place a comma after a question mark.
Commas in Dates: Use commas in date formats.
Oxford Comma: Decide whether to use it in lists.
Quotation Marks in Titles: Properly punctuate titles.
Quotation Marks Around a Word: Use quotes for emphasis.
Quotation Marks in Dialogue: Set off spoken words.
Capitalization in Quotes: Follow rules for capital letters.
Semicolon vs. Colon vs. Dash: Understand their distinct purposes.
Capitalization After Colons: Know when to capitalize.