Perfecting Punctuation
Have you ever read something that feels… off? The spelling is perfect, the imagery is vivid, and the topic is interesting, yet you just can’t seem to understand the sentence. If this is the case, you’re likely the victim of incorrect punctuation.
What is Punctuation?
Punctuation is the key to creating style and clarity within any piece of writing. Nobody wants to read pages of simple sentences, so it’s important to add punctuation for variety and intrigue. Using punctuation marks, we are able to convey complex ideas, intonation, and pauses.
How To Use Punctuation Marks
Despite their importance, many people still struggle to properly incorporate punction marks into their writing.
As a guide, I’ve compiled functions and examples of 13 common English punctuation marks.
1. Period (.)
Periods mark the end of a sentence; they act as a full-stop between ideas.
Example: I went to the store. I saw Joan.
2. Exclamation Mark (!)
Exclamation marks are used for emphasis. They go at the end of interjections or emotional remarks.
Example: There’s a shark!
3. Question Mark (?)
Question marks are placed at the end of questions. Do not use them after statements.
Example: What time is it?
4. Ellipsis (…)
Ellipses serve a few different purposes in writing. They’re used to signify an omission, a (dramatic) pause, and a trailing off/future continuation.
Example 1: The CDC states, “Anyone can get sick with flu […] but some people are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick.”
Example 2: For your birthday I got you… two tickets to Italy!
Example 3: Maybe I’m not the only one…
5. Comma (,)
Commas are perhaps one of the most misused punctuation marks because of their multitude of functions.
· Connect two independent clauses with conjunctions
· Separate coordinating adjectives and lists of three or more items
· Set apart non-restrictive relative clauses, nonessential appositives, and introductory phrases
· Address someone
Example 1: I met Katie, and we went shopping.
Example 2: He threw the round, gray rock into the pond.
Example 3: I enjoy writing, drawing, and singing.
Example 4: My friend, whom I met last year, is an actress.
Example 5: My mom, Linda, just bought a new purse.
Example 6: Before the party, I called a landscaper to fix my lawn.
Example 7: Come on, Sarah.
6. Semicolon (;)
Get Rebecca Shubinsky’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
Semicolons are often scary to beginner writers, but they are fairly simple to use. They join closely related sentences/ideas and separate items in a list that already contains commas.
Example 1: I saw Peter at the store; he was also buying pasta.
Example 2: For the bake sale, I’m making fudgy, chewy, chocolatey brownies; sweet, gooey chocolate chip cookies; and airy cupcakes.
7. Colon (:)
Colons are used after independent clauses to direct a reader’s attention to lists and explanations. They can also be used to join closely related sentences.
Example 1: My grandma taught me many recipes: lasagna, chicken noodle soup, and beef stew.
Example 2: I’ve seen a lot of houses in my day: there’s never been one this small.
8. En and Em Dash (– / — )
En dashes indicate a range whereas em dashes offset emphasized material or extra information. Em dashes can also be used to signify a cutoff.
En Example: I worked there from 2020–2024.
Em Example 1: After he arrived — an hour late — the meeting started.
Em Example 2: “I meant to tell y — ” “I don’t care.”
9. Parentheses ( )
Parentheses set off supplementary details or information.
Example: I’m visiting my aunt (my dad’s sister) for her birthday.
10. Bracket [ ]
Brackets indicate that the enclosed word/phrase was added by someone other than the original author. They’re usually used to clarify a quote.
Example: In an interview about playing Ariel, Halle Bailey states, “Things that seem so small to everyone else, it’s so big to [people of color].”
11. Apostrophe (’)
Apostrophes signify possession and the omission of letters in contractions.
Example 1: We went to Peter’s house.
Example 2: This isn’t fun.
12. Hyphen (-)
Hyphens connect words to create compound words.
Example: He’s such a know-it-all.
13. Double and Single Quotation Marks (“” / ‘’)
Double quotation marks indicate that something is a direct quote, refer to words, and enclose titles of short works. Single quotation marks label a quote within a quote.
Double Example 1: She said, “I love you.”
Double Example 2: The word “sparkle” means to shine with bright flashes.
Double Example 3: My favorite song is “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter.
Single Example: The police officer said, “The suspect asked me, ‘Why didn’t you talk to Mike?’”
Whether you’re an author working to incorporate more style into your piece or an editor looking to help others improve sentence clarity, punctuation is your best friend. Proper usage of such simple marks can be the difference between good writing and excellent writing.
I’m curious to know if there are any punctuation marks that consistently give you trouble. Do you feel like you overuse or underuse any of these?
