Using Other Punctuation Marks

Using Other Punctuation Marks ICCU Writing Center

PART IPeriodsQuestion MarksSemicolons

PART II:ColonsQuotation MarksEllipsis Marks Which punctuation marks?

Appear at the end of a sentence.Easy? Yes.But be sure to avoid comma splices:Not this: The governor signed the bill into law yesterday, she claimed it would cut taxes for the middle class. (Comma splice)But this: The governor signed the bill into law yesterday. She claimed it would cut taxes for the middle class. (Two sentences)Or this: The governor said she signed the bill into law because It would cut taxes for the middle class.

Periods

Appear at the end of a question.Easy? Yes.But avoid these mistakes:Not this: John asked her if she wanted to go?But this: John asked her if she wanted to go.Not this: John asked her, Do you want to go?But this: John asked her, Do you want to go?Not this: Did he say, I hope you will join me?But this: Did he say, I hope you will join me?

Question Marks

Two uses:Connecting equal grammatical parts of a sentence (usually independent clauses).Separating items in a list that contain commas.

Please note: Semicolons tend to be overused and misused quite frequently. Only use a semicolon when you are sure you need one.Semicolons

Acceptable: The president didnt promise to end the war; he simply said that he would look for ways to end the war.(But usually, a period is preferable.)Acceptable: No one knows exactly why the Roman Empire fell apart; however, historians generally agree on three contributing factors.NOT OK: No one knows exactly why the Roman Empire fell apart, however, historians generally agree on three contributing factors.

Semicolon to join ind. clauses

OK: I will bring matches, charcoal, and lighter fluid.Also OK: I will bring matches, charcoal, and lighter fluid; chicken, hamburgers, and hot dogs; and two folding chairs.Not OK: I will bring matches; charcoal; and lighter fluid.Not OK: I will bring matches, charcoal, and lighter fluid, chicken, hamburgers, and hot dogs, and two folding chairs.Semicolons to join list items containing commas

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