What is a Colon? Although rarely used compared to commas and semicolons, a colon (:) is convenient for listing items, words, or phrases. A colon is written like a stack of two periods and can be read as “note what follows.” How to Use a Colon: Here’s a quick guide on how to use a colon: 1. Use a colon …
Semicolon: The Combination Punctuation
What is a Semicolon? A semicolon (;) is a combination of a period and a comma. It signals a pause or a short break with more impact than a comma, but it does not end a sentence like a period. Semicolons signify an essential correlation between phrases and clauses where a comma or a period alone will not suffice. How …
Comma Use: Pause, Take a Break
What is a Comma? A comma (,) is a punctuation mark that signifies a short break or pause in a sentence. Unlike a period, a comma does not end a sentence. It merely allows the reader to breathe. How to Use a Comma Here’s a simple guide to proper comma usage. 1. Use a comma to separate a series of …
Quotation Marks: Separating Words & Phrases
Quotation marks ( “ ” ) are written on the opposite sides of words, phrases, and quotations to separate them from the rest of the sentence. Here’s a quick guide to using quotation marks. But before we proceed, note that these punctuation rules follow the Standard American English which occasionally differs from British English. Use Quotation Marks Properly 1. Use …
Hyphens: Joining Words Together
What are Hyphens? Usually shorter than a dash, a hyphen ( – ) is a punctuation mark that joins two or more words. It should not be mistaken with a dash that separates words, phrases, and statements. Hyphens are helpful tools to use to improve your writing. Hyphens help clear the meaning of a sentence. “She’s God loving” sounds like an …
Apostrophe Use: Avoid Apostrophe Catastrophe
What is an Apostrophe? The apostrophe (‘) is a tiny punctuation that plays a big role in language and writing. Adding an apostrophe in the wrong place can alter or lose the meaning of a word or sentence. “My mom’s style” isn’t the same with “my mom styles” and she asked you to buy tomatoes, not “tomatoe’s”. Here’s a simple …