How Does Punctuation Work? by preprationx grammer

english grammer Punctuation is about how words relate to each other. Using punctuation symbols helps you know when to stop a sentence, take a breath, pause, become excited, lift your voice to ask a question and also when to begin a sentence. When you are speaking you do this naturally, however, when we write, punctuation symbols become signposts for the reader. Using Full Stops A full stop ends a sentence. A sentence is a complete statement usually containing a verb. Full stops are also used to indicate abbreviations such as Oct. Mon. Rev. where the abbreviation did not contain the first and last letter. Today, most people do not use a full stop after an abbreviation.Using Commas Commas act as pauses and they can be used to separate independent statements which are linked by: for, and, nor, but, or, yet and so. Now read these examples and consider how commas are used to separate different parts of the sentences: Jenny said she would buy me the tickets, but she hasn't shown them to me at all. I am buying a new car, but l won't pick it up for another month. I am going to the party, so l don't expect to come home before midnight! I have never read Shakespeare, nor has my friend Emma. She picked the whole crate up in one go, for she is an athlete and l am not. Would you like some cake, or would you prefer fruit? Semicolons Some words that we write need a stronger pause before them than that provided by a comma. Examples of these types of words are: however, therefore, also, moreover, furthermore, hence, subsequently and consequently. Further examples showing semicolon usage: She is a wonderful chef; therefore we must consider her for the job. He loves camping; furthermore he can afford to go on the trip. I love English; hence I've decided to study Literature at university. In the above examples the words 'therefore', 'furthermore' and 'hence' need to remain strong in the sentences. They need a strong pause before them and this is done through the use of the semicolon. Colons A colon is made up of two full stops on top of each other. They can be used to introduce new information, quotations or a list of things. They push the reader forward and make them focus on what is happening next in the sentence. Look a the impact which a colon has upon the following sentence; She ran all the way home, crashed on the bed exhausted she slept for a week. She ran all the way home, crashed on the bed exhausted: she slept for a week.Apostrophes Apostrophes do two really important jobs. Firstly, they help to tell us when one thing is owned by another. Examples include; The boy's bicycle The child's toy Tom Jones's song Secondly, they tell us when something has been contracted; made shorter. Examples include; You're very upset. Won't he come with me? Don't talk to me! Apostrophes are used to show possession or ownership. They might, for example, be used to show that a book belongs to a child or a window to a house. Apostrophes are used when one or more letters have been omitted from a word. That is, when something has been contracted. Speech Marks Speech marks or quotation marks are used when recording what somebody has said. Direct quotation marks are like double apostrophes. Apostrophes serve a very different purpose from quotation marks. Recording what somebody has said can be done in two ways. The first way is used for recording exactly what was said. The other way is used to report that something was said but does not record the exact words. The first method is called direct speech. The second way is called indirect speech. Speech Marks Speech marks or quotation marks are used when recording what somebody has said. Direct quotation marks are like double apostrophes. Apostrophes serve a very different purpose from quotation marks. Recording what somebody has said can be done in two ways. The first way is used for recording exactly what was said. The other way is used to report that something was said but does not record the exact words. The first method is called direct speech. The second way is called indirect speech. Exclamation Marks ! The exclamation mark gives a lot of oomph to words that are placed in front of it. It can tell us that a word is stated in anger or disgust, has the opposite meaning, or is an insult or a command. Examples: 1. Give me my money now! 2. You are such a nosey parker! 3. You have to do four essays by Monday! Question Marks ? This is an easy one, it is the question mark. It tells us that what has just come before is either a direct question or the speaker or writer is a little doubtful about how correct the statement is. Examples: 1. What did you do on Saturday? 2. Did you have a nice lunch? 3. Why is she so happy today? Ellipsis ... This is an ellipsis and is used to show that the writer has left something out deliberately; or has offered a thought that isn't complete; or to show that time has passed; or to show that a speech was all over the place. Examples: 1. "I wanted to tell her I loved her but..." 2. Furthermore, the rules state that, "Homework must be completed on time...All late homework will lose marks." Asterisk * This is an asterisk and is used in some newspapers to replace letters in words that may offend people. It can also tell us that there is a note of explanation about what has been written. The note can usually be found at the bottom of the page. Example: 1. The camp to Devon is on next Monday! Please make sure that you bring all of your own personal items, everything else will be provided.* Looking forward to seeing you there. 2. * Students should bring sleeping bags.