Punctuation

This article is a natural progression from my article on VERBAL FLUENCY to PUNCTUATION. We describe the essential tools (symbols) of punctuation.

DEFINITION : The use of syntax and punctuation give meaning to sentences.

A more sophisticated definition is given by Wikipedia : "It is the practice, action, or system of inserting points or other small marks into texts in order to aid interpretation.0'

A LIST OF SYMBOLS regularly used in ENGLISH LANGUAGE PUNCTUATION.

. full stop ? question mark , comma semi colon : colon - dash/hyphen " " double quotation marks or inverted commas ` ` apostrophe or single quotation marks ( ) brackets used for parenthesis / the slash

The rules relating to their use and application are not fixed but flexible, unlike those of algebraic formula.

THE FULL STOP (.) The basic essential of all punctuation, we are guided by 2 main rules :

1. It must be used after a complete statement.

2. It marks a stronger break between ideas than a comma, semi colon, or colon.

Also known as the period in North American English.

THE QUESTION MARK (?) and EXCLAMATION MARK (!)

The question mark is used at the end of a direct question OR when the question is implied, it is not used for an indirect question. The exclamation mark is used after exclamations or exclamatory sentences.

THE COMMA (,) makes a shorter break than a full stop, semi colon or colon. It does not stop the flow of the sentence. It indicates a grammatical relationship or pause in sense, not a pause for breath. It marks a slight change in direction of thought expressed by the sentence.

THE SEMI - COLON (;) A link between the comma and the full stop.

THE COLON (:) Often used in the English Language as an INTRODUCER.

- an alternative way of introducing a passage in Direct Speech, to introduce an amplification of an immediately preceding statement.

- Introducing quotations, lists of words or exercises.

THE DASH (-) used to separate a parenthesis from the main part of the sentence. To mark a sudden breaking off in thought. To mark hesitation in dialogue.

QUOTATION MARKS (INVERTED COMMAS)(" ") - used to mark dialogue in a sentence or passage containing words that are not dialogue. They include punctuation such as full stops, a capital is always used for the first word.

THE APOSTROPHE (`) used to indicate possessive case or less, the apostrophe is put where the missing letter should be. I`m = I am, I`ve = I have, we`d = we should.

THE SLASH ( /) used to indicate alternatives for example "his/her", or equivalents "grey/gray", also set phrases "and/or".

In this article I have given indications of definitions of major symbols used as punctuation in the English Language. Application is another matter and there are regional variations in usage around the Commonwealth. Punctuation in business English differs in it`s application to that in English literature. The computerisation and digitalisation of the modern world has also led to significant changes in punctuation application.