What is ponctuation marks?

Ponctuation marks are signs such as periods, comma and questions marks. They are used in sentences to make the meaning clear. 

Period (.)

Put a period at the end of a sentence.

• Tim lent me his skateboard.
• The children are playing in the garden. 
• The train arrived late.
• It's not a very sunny day.

Comma (,)

Put a comma between items in a lost.

• You need paper, scissors and glue. 
• She likes reading, swimming, playing basketball and going to the movies.
• Tom, may ling, Sue and Christopher all went shopping together. 

Put a comma after yes and no. 

• Do you like football? Yes, I like it very much.
• Is this your house? Yes, it is.
• Is it still snowing? No, it's stopped.
• Has Sara had breakfast yet? No, she hasn't.

You also put a comma before or after the name of the person you are speaking to.

• Hello, Mr. Carter.
• Miss Lee, can I borrow a pencil, please?
• Goodyear, Andrew. 

Comma are used before please and thank you?

• Could you pass me that pencil, please?
• Would you like some more orange Juice, David? Yes, please.
• Would you like another cupcake, Sally? No, thank you.

A comma is also used between the parts of place name. 

• Chicago, illinois
• Tower bridge, london 
• Athens, georgia
• The lincoln Memorial, Washington DC.

Question Mark (?)

Write a Question mark at the end of a question, instead of period.

• Can you hear me, children? 
• Who is that man talking to Dad? 
• Is there someone knocking at door? 
• Didn't you read the sign?
• Were is my schoolbag? 
• How many are left? 

Exclamation point (!) 

Use an exclamation mark point at the end of a sentence that show a strong feeling such as surprise or fear. An exclamation point is used instead of a period. 

• What a silly thing to do! 
• You're completely wrong! 
• I told you not go out on your own! 
• Help! A monster! 
• What a shame! 
• How sad! 
• 
  
  
  

You can also use exclamation points with strong orders.

• Sit down!
• Be quiet!
• Leave that computer alone!
• Don't touch that knife!
• Give me that Ball!
• Do it now!

Exclamation point are usually used after interjectins. People often use just one or two words to express a sudden feeling such as fear,happiness, surprise, or anger, or in greeting somebody. This short expressions are called interjectins. Here are some examples:

• Hello! 
• Good morning! 
• Good night! 
• Well done! 
• Oh dear!
• Ouch!
• Hurray!
• Help!
• Look out!
• Happy Birthday!

Apostrophe(')

Use an apostrophe with s to show who something belongs to.

• This is Michael's room.
• This is my Dad's desk.
• Are you Kathleen' s mom?
• This dog's tail is very long.
• The teacher collect everyone's books at the end of the class.
• Jack is going to his friend's house for unch.

You use an apostrophe to show where one or more letters are missing in a constraction. 

• I'm (= am) the boy who lives next door.
• She's (= is) my best friend.
• He's (= has) been to Europe twice.
• We're (= are) going to the zoo today.
• You're (= are) my favorite uncle.
• I'd (= had) better go home now.
• You've (= have) got dirt on your new shoes.
• He'll (= will) lend you his bike.

Quotation marks ("  ")

Use quotation marks around the axact words that someone says. You put the mark ( ") at the beginning of the words, and the mark (") at the end.

Use a comma before the last quotation mark, to separete the words from the rest of the sentence.

• "This bike is mine" said Susan
• "I would like some apple juice, please," said the litter boy.
• "Let's play computer games, " said James.
• Suppose the exact word that someone says come after the rest of the sentence. In the case put a period before the last quotation mark.

• Dad said "come inside and have lunch"
• "John", said mom, please turn your music down. "

Put quotation marks and exclamation point in the place as periods, before the last quotation mark.

• " is this the way to the station? " the man asked.
• Sam said," Can I borrow you pencil?"
• " don't do that! " said mom.
• John said" What a great movie! "

Colon (:)

When you are reading a playscript, notice the Colon between the name of a character and the words that they speak. 

• Jack: what have you got in the bag? 
• Maggie: my swimming suit. 
• Jack: Are you going to swimming? 
• Maggie: this afternoon. Would you like to come? 

Capital letter

Use a capital letter as the first letter of the first word in a sentence. 

• Dogs have wet noses
• Where is my Ball? 
• That isn't fair! 
• This is my brother. 
• You need a racket if you're going to play tennis. 

You also use a capital letter for the first word in direct speech. 

• Sam said "This is my brother". 
• "Where is my Ball? Tom asked. 
• Alice shouted," That isn't fair"

The word I is always written as a capital letter. 

• I'm real pleased with your work.
• Do you know what I got for you Birthday?
• Paul and I asked if we could help. 

Use capital letter to begin the names of people and places. 

John, America, Susan, Mozambique etc.