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Sentences - 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 Full stop (US: period) Comma What it does Creates an interruption to mark the end of a sentence. 1. Creates a small interruption within a sentence to help clarify meaning. 2. Used between items in a list. 3. Used before a speech mark. 4. Used to create a slight pause and emphasis before a joining word (eg and, but, however, instead). 1. Replaces a full stop or "and" between two or more sentences that share a theme. 2. Used before a joining word when a stronger pause and emphasis is required. Used at the end of a sentence to show an answer, elaboration or explanation follows, eg a list, quotation, answer or contrast. 1. Used to show spoken words. 2. Used around odd or unusual terms, jargon or slang. 3. Used around titles when italics are unavailable. 1. Used to quote a different speaker's words within speech. 2. Used to make difficult plurals, eg "How many 's's are there in 'embarrasses'?" A replacement for a full stop when the sentence is a question. A replacement for a full stop to suggest surprise or shock. 1. Used to show unimportant words have been missed from a quotation. 2. Used informally to show an incomplete

Semi-colon

Colon

"

Quotation or double speech marks/inverted commas

'

Single speech marks

? ! ...

Question mark Exclamation mark Ellipsis/trailing dots

sentence. () , ... , Round brackets/parentheses Used around strong "parenthetical information", ie an inserted comment, aside, explanation or additional information. Used around a less strong comment, explanation or aside. Used around additional information not crucial to the meaning of the sentence. 1. Used to shows a word is incomplete at the end of a line. 2. Used between compound words, eg noone, all-encompassing. 1. Used (often before "s") to show possession, eg the book's cover. 2. Used to show a missing letter, eg "hasn't". Used around words added to a quotation.

Dashes Bracketing or parenthetical commas Hyphen

'

Apostrophe

[]

Square brackets

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/english/reading/sentences/revise5.shtml

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