Punctuation Marks We use punctuation marks in written

Punctuation Marks Ø We use punctuation marks in written text, chiefly to indicate breaks within sentences or between sentences. They help to make the meaning clear. Some punctuation marks indicate a stop at the end of a sentence. These are: 1. The full stop (. ), which we put at the end of • • declarative sentences and some imperative sentences: The dog ran away. Please close the door.

2. the question mark (? ), which we put at the end of interrogative sentences and other questions: • What time is it? • Jan is very attractive, isn’t he? • When did you come? 3. the exclamation mark (!), which we put at the end of exclamatory sentences and some imperative sentences: • What a mess! • Come here!

Some punctuation marks indicate a pause in the middle of a sentence. These are: 1. The comma (, ), which we use to separate clauses or items in lists: • If it rains, the party will be held indoors. • France, Italy, Germany and Spain are all countries in Europe.

2. The semi-colon (; ), which we use to link two sentences that are closely connected in meaning: • My old jeans have holes in the knees; I need a new pair. • Siar failed the exam; he had not done enough revision.

3. The colon (: ), which we use to introduce a list or a piece of dialogue in a play: • You will need the following ingredients: flour, sugar, eggs, and butter. • Siar: Did you enjoy your trip to the museum? • Wahid: Yes, I saw lots of interesting things there.

Some punctuation marks are used for other purposes, such as: 1. Quotation marks (‘ ‘ or “ “), also called inverted commas, which we use in pairs for direct speech, or to draw attention to a particular word: • Ahmad said, “I lost my mobile”. • The word ‘light’ has many different meanings.

2. The apostrophe (‘), which we use in possessive forms and contractions: • That is my brother’s house. • She didn’t know the answer. 3. The hyphen (-), which links words in some compound nouns, numbers and fractions: • Fazil is my brother-in-law. • Seventy-five per cent is the same as threequarters.

4. The dash ( • • 5. • • ), which introduces a piece of extra information: This is a digital camera it doesn’t use film. Ahmad chose the steak the most expensive item on the menu. Brackets ( ), also called parentheses, which we use in pairs around a piece of extra information: Siar chose the steak (the most expensive item on the menu). Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

6. Ellipsis points or dots (…), which show that something is omitted or unfinished intentionally: The rules clearly say that ‘Dogs are not allowed … on the beach’. • If I tell you the truth you will … •