Commas
Commas are used to separate a list of itemsaada4
Example
We had ice cream, chocolate, jellies, Rseeand marshmallows
Commas are used to separate two adjectives when the adjectives are interchangeable.
Example
It was an exciting, electrifying show
Commas are used when starting a sentence with a dependent clause,
Example
When John walked in to the room, it got very quiet.
Commas are used to separate nonessential information from the rest of the sentence
Example
The woman, who was very strong, won the shot put competition
Apostrophes
Commas are used to show possession
The kids’ gloves (Plural Possessive-comma after the “s”)
Commas are used to form contractions.
Example 1
There is a giant elephant (Without the Contraction)
There’s a giant elephant (With the Contraction)
Example 2
You would like that
You’d like that
Colons
Colons are used after an independent clause when it is followed by a list
Example
There was a variety of desserts: pie, cheese cake, ice cream, and cake
Colons are used after an independent clause when it is followed by a quotation
Example
Yogi Berra said it best: “It ain’t over till it’s over.”
Colons are used after an independent clause when it is followed by an appositive
Example
Irish chefs are supposed to know how to prepare an Irish stew: meat cubes cooked with potatoes, carrots, and pearl barley.
Colons are used after an independent clause when it is followed by an idea directly related to the independent clause.
Example
The vote was unanimous: the older candidate had won.
Semicolons
Semicolons are used to join two independent clauses together when the second clause restates the first.
Example
I’m not sure how to do it: let’s get help
Semicolons are used to join two independent clauses together when the second clause begins with a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, etc.) or a transition (in fact, for example, etc.).
Example
The cave is dark; therefore, I do not want to go in there alone.
Dashes
Dashes are used to emphasize the content enclosed within dashes
Example
Upon discovering the errors—all 200 of them—the publisher immediately recalled the books.
End Punctuation
Periods are used at the end of a sentence that makes a statement.
Example
He will do it again.
Questions marks are used after direct questions.
Example
Who are you?
An exclamation point is used at the end of a sentence to show strong emotion.
Example
Don’t do that!