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Punctuation
Full Stop (Period)
Full stops (also called »periods«) are not only used at the end of a sentence, but also in abbreviations and decimals.
Full Stop at the End
of Sentences
Use a full stop to end affirmative sentences.
Example: I go shopping every day.
Use a full stop to end orders.
Example: Leave me alone.
Note: Americans often type two blanks after the punctuation mark at the end of a sentence.
Full Stop after Abbreviations
The full stop after abbreviations is optional in American English, but not
usually used in British English.
Example:
BE: Mrs Robinson, 5 kg, NBC
AE also: Mrs. Robinson, 5 kg., CNN
Don't use a full stop after acronyms.
Example: NATO, AIDS
Semi-Colon
The semi-colon indicates a stronger division than a comma, but a weaker one than a full stop.
Semi-Colon with Enumeration's
Use a semi-colon in enumeration's if a comma is already used to further separate
an item of the sequence.
Example: We have business partners in Edmonton, Canada; Waterford, Ireland; Brisbane, Australia; and Durban, South Africa.
Semi-Colon between
Main Clauses
Use a semi-colon between two main clauses if they are not separated by and,
or etc.
Example: The rain stopped; the sun came out again.
Use a semi-colon between two main clauses with conjunctions (e.g. and, or) if a comma is used in at least one of the main clauses.
Example: James had, to put it mildly, a lot of problems; and not even his best friend could help him.
Use a semi-colon between two main clauses if the second one starts with an adverb that has to be enclosed in commas (e.g. however, in fact, therefore, nevertheless, moreover, furthermore, still, instead).
Example: He didn't feel well; in fact, he had a very high temperature.
Dashes in English
A dash is used to emphasize what follows.
Use dashes sparingly: not more than a pair per sentences in informal writing and (if possible) not more than a pair per paragraph in formal writing.
Note:
Some computer programs cannot display dashes (–). In this case, type
two hyphens (--).
There is no blank before or after a dash in English.
Dashes for Change
of Topic or Structure
Use a dash for a change of topic within a sentence.
Example: This is very important–are you listening to me?
Use a dash if the information that follows is surprising and unexpected.
Example: We went shopping in London–and met Robbie Williams.
Dashes in Dialogues
Use a dash to show hesitation.
Example: I–I–I don't know.
Dashes in Summaries
and Additional Information
Use a dash to indicate a summarizing clause.
Example: Jane, Daniel, Susan and I–we all were taken aback.
Use a dash to indicate an emphasized addition.
He prayed to his God–to Allah.
Use a dash to enclose emphasized additional information which interrupts the normal progression of the sentence.
Example: He wanted us–Karen, Susan and me–to meet his family.
Note:
Depending on the importance attached to it, additional information can be
enclosed in brackets, commas or dashes.
Brackets - not important
Connor (Amy's boyfriend) bought the tickets.
Commas - neutral
Connor, Amy's boyfriend, bought the tickets.
Dashes - emphasized
Connor–Amy's boyfriend–bought the tickets.
Brackets (Parentheses) in English
Brackets (also called parentheses) enclose extra information or explanations which interrupt the normal progression of the sentence.
Note:
Full stops, question marks or exclamation marks are usually put outside the
brackets (unless the brackets enclose a complete sentence).
Additional Information
in Brackets
Additional information is enclosed in brackets if the information is not essential
for the understanding of the sentence.
Example: Connor (Amy's boyfriend) bought the tickets.
Note:
Depending on the importance attached to it, additional information can be
enclosed in brackets, commas or dashes.
Brackets - not important
Connor (Amy's boyfriend) bought the tickets.
Commas - neutral
Connor, Amy's boyfriend, bought the tickets.
Dashes - emphasized
Connor–Amy's boyfriend–bought the tickets.
Abbreviations in Brackets
At the first mentioning of an organization in a newspaper article, both its
abbreviation and the spelled-out form are mentioned, one of which is enclosed
in brackets.
Example:
He was an active member of the IOC (International Olympic Committee).
He was an active member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Punctuation Marks that End Sentences
Note: Americans often type two blanks after the punctuation mark at the end of a sentence.
Full Stop (Period)
Use a full stop (also called »period«) to end affirmative sentences.
Example: I go shopping every day.
Use a full stop to end orders.
Example: Leave me alone.
Exclamation Mark
Use an exclamation mark at the end of a surprised exclamation (usually starting with »how« or »what«).
Example: How awful! What a chaos!
Use an exclamation mark at the end of a wish.
Example: Good luck!
Question Mark
Use a questions mark at the end of a question.
Example: What's your name?
Use a questions mark after question tags.
Example: You are Connor, aren't you?
Use a questions mark at the end of a request.
Example: Could you give me the book, please?
