Welcome ESL learners. This blog entry offers some of the basics of punctuation marks for beginner-level learners. What are these symbols and when and why are they used in English?
To first understand the punctuation marks, let us first take a look at the different kind of sentences.
Declarative sentence:
The declarative sentence makes a statement. It starts with a word that is capitalized (begins with a big letter). In fact, the first word for every sentence is spelled with a capitalized first letter. The declarative sentence ends with a period. A period is a dot like this (.).
Example sentences:
Omar is going to work today.
Exclamatory sentence:
The exclamatory sentence is a statement that shows strong emotion. The exclamatory sentence ends with an exclamation point. The exclamation point is shaped like this:
!
Example sentences:
*There are other punctuation marks that do not deal with the ending of a sentence. They include the semicolon. The semicolon links together two similar ideas or sentences together. It is shaped like this:
;
Consider these examples of a semicolon in English.
1. Use commas to separate three or more words or phrases in a series.
Example sentences:
The salad has lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and croutons in it.
I cleaned, organized, and decorated the bedroom.
2. Use commas to indicate that a person is being addressed by name.
Example sentences:
I would like to talk with you, Alex.
Juan, can you lend me the newspaper?
Can I borrow your computer, Lisa?
3. Use a comma when noting dates and addresses.
Example sentence:
Today’s date is January 28, 2012.
4. Use commas after phrases, clauses, or small words that introduce the main idea of your sentence.
Example sentences:
No, Bob did not go to the park with us.
Because Janet studied for her test, she improved her grades and learned new skills and knowledge.
After dinner, we went to the movie theater to see a comedy.
5. Use commas to set off words, phrases or clauses that comment on or give additional information about the main part of the sentence, or otherwise interrupt the natural flow of the sentence.
Example sentences:
Jonas Salk, the famous scientist, was from New York City.
Pierre, after studying at dental school, became a dentist.
6. Use commas before coordinating conjunctions such as "and," "or,", "but" that join two complete sentences, or when the comma is needed for clarity, emphasis, or contrast.
Example sentences:
Buffalo may be cold, but it is home to me.
Jane used the Academic Muse program, and he is performing better in class as a result.
I hope this is helpfully for ESL learners who are just beginning to write in English. Grammar and punctuation marks are important for being clear and effective in writing. Do you have any questions? Can you use these punctuation marks in your writing? Share any question or comment with us here on this blog. Stay tuned for more blog entries on improving your English skills. If you wish to really improve your skills with personalized and attentive help, contact Kingston University USA for more information!
Declarative sentence:
The declarative sentence makes a statement. It starts with a word that is capitalized (begins with a big letter). In fact, the first word for every sentence is spelled with a capitalized first letter. The declarative sentence ends with a period. A period is a dot like this (.).
Example sentences:
Omar is going to work today.
Timothy ran three miles this afternoon at the park.
Interrogative sentence:
The interrogative sentence asks a question. The interrogative sentence ends with a question mark. They are questions, which people ask when they want to know something. The question mark is shaped like this:
?
Example sentences:
Interrogative sentence:
The interrogative sentence asks a question. The interrogative sentence ends with a question mark. They are questions, which people ask when they want to know something. The question mark is shaped like this:
?
Example sentences:
How much is this cup of iced coffee?
Why did you select this novel as your favorite book?
What is your favorite sport to play?
Exclamatory sentence:
The exclamatory sentence is a statement that shows strong emotion. The exclamatory sentence ends with an exclamation point. The exclamation point is shaped like this:
!
Example sentences:
I am feeling sick and need to see a doctor!
I am so happy to see you!
The streets are flooding from the storm!
The streets are flooding from the storm!
*There are other punctuation marks that do not deal with the ending of a sentence. They include the semicolon. The semicolon links together two similar ideas or sentences together. It is shaped like this:
;
Consider these examples of a semicolon in English.
The following two sentences are connected ideas. I am hungry. I will make a sandwich to eat. A semicolon can link them together.
I am hungry; I will make a sandwich to eat.
The following two sentences are connected ideas. The cat is afraid of the dog. He runs away whenever he sees it. A semicolon can link them together.
The cat is afraid of the dog; he runs away whenever he sees it.
*The colon is another punctuation mark. It is shaped like this:
:
The colon can be used to mark the start of a sentence or the explanation of a previous clause or “set-up.” Here is an example.
She had only one goal in mind: to succeed at school.
Notice how the colon does not end the sentence but shows you that what follows is what her goal was. Does that make sense? See another example below.
Bill Gates said of leaders of the future: leaders will be those who empower others.
You can also use a colon to start a list. Here is an example.
The leaders set to speak tomorrow at the town meeting include the following people:
the mayor
the chief of police
the fire chief
the chair of the town council
Does that make sense? Can you write a few lists or other sentences that use a colon?
*Another common punctuation mark are quotation marks. Quotation marks are used for quotes and are shaped like this
“ ”
Quotation marks come in pairs for one at each end of a quote. A quote is a direct repeating of what someone else said or wrote. Quotation marks allow readers to know when a quote begins and ends. This is important because it separates what the author says and what the people the author is writing about said. Whatever punctuation mark ends the sentence is put in right before the last quotation mark.
I am hungry; I will make a sandwich to eat.
The following two sentences are connected ideas. The cat is afraid of the dog. He runs away whenever he sees it. A semicolon can link them together.
The cat is afraid of the dog; he runs away whenever he sees it.
*The colon is another punctuation mark. It is shaped like this:
:
The colon can be used to mark the start of a sentence or the explanation of a previous clause or “set-up.” Here is an example.
She had only one goal in mind: to succeed at school.
Notice how the colon does not end the sentence but shows you that what follows is what her goal was. Does that make sense? See another example below.
Bill Gates said of leaders of the future: leaders will be those who empower others.
You can also use a colon to start a list. Here is an example.
The leaders set to speak tomorrow at the town meeting include the following people:
the mayor
the chief of police
the fire chief
the chair of the town council
Does that make sense? Can you write a few lists or other sentences that use a colon?
*Another common punctuation mark are quotation marks. Quotation marks are used for quotes and are shaped like this
“ ”
Quotation marks come in pairs for one at each end of a quote. A quote is a direct repeating of what someone else said or wrote. Quotation marks allow readers to know when a quote begins and ends. This is important because it separates what the author says and what the people the author is writing about said. Whatever punctuation mark ends the sentence is put in right before the last quotation mark.
Here are two examples.
Mahatma Gandhi famously said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Robert asked Miriam, “Where are you going to this weekend?”
*The final punctuation mark is the comma. The comma never ends a sentence, but it is used for several basic purposes in grammar. The comma is shaped like this.
,
The following list will show you six common uses of the comma in English writing.
Mahatma Gandhi famously said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Robert asked Miriam, “Where are you going to this weekend?”
*The final punctuation mark is the comma. The comma never ends a sentence, but it is used for several basic purposes in grammar. The comma is shaped like this.
,
The following list will show you six common uses of the comma in English writing.
1. Use commas to separate three or more words or phrases in a series.
Example sentences:
The salad has lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and croutons in it.
I cleaned, organized, and decorated the bedroom.
2. Use commas to indicate that a person is being addressed by name.
Example sentences:
I would like to talk with you, Alex.
Juan, can you lend me the newspaper?
Can I borrow your computer, Lisa?
3. Use a comma when noting dates and addresses.
Example sentence:
Today’s date is January 28, 2012.
4. Use commas after phrases, clauses, or small words that introduce the main idea of your sentence.
Example sentences:
No, Bob did not go to the park with us.
Because Janet studied for her test, she improved her grades and learned new skills and knowledge.
After dinner, we went to the movie theater to see a comedy.
5. Use commas to set off words, phrases or clauses that comment on or give additional information about the main part of the sentence, or otherwise interrupt the natural flow of the sentence.
Example sentences:
Jonas Salk, the famous scientist, was from New York City.
Pierre, after studying at dental school, became a dentist.
6. Use commas before coordinating conjunctions such as "and," "or,", "but" that join two complete sentences, or when the comma is needed for clarity, emphasis, or contrast.
Example sentences:
Buffalo may be cold, but it is home to me.
Jane used the Academic Muse program, and he is performing better in class as a result.
I hope this is helpfully for ESL learners who are just beginning to write in English. Grammar and punctuation marks are important for being clear and effective in writing. Do you have any questions? Can you use these punctuation marks in your writing? Share any question or comment with us here on this blog. Stay tuned for more blog entries on improving your English skills. If you wish to really improve your skills with personalized and attentive help, contact Kingston University USA for more information!
Kingston University USA
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Live Locally. Learn Globally.
Official Website
Facebook Page
Youtube
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