A Guide to Punctuation Marks
The Period
The Comma
A comma is used to separate items in a list, to set off introductory elements, and to indicate pauses in a sentence. For example: "I need to buy apples, bananas, and oranges." "After a long day at work, I like to relax with a cup of tea."The Exclamation Point
An exclamation point is used after an exclamatory sentence to show strong emotion or excitement. For example: "Congratulations on your promotion!" "What a beautiful sunset!"The Question Mark
A question mark is used at the end of an interrogative sentence. It indicates a question and requires a response. For example: "Where are you going?" "Did you finish your homework?"The Colon
A colon is used to introduce a list, explanation, or quotation. It can also be used to separate hours and minutes. For example: "Please bring the following items: paper, pens, and notebooks." "The answer is simple: practice makes perfect." "Meet me at 7:30."The Semicolon
A semicolon is used to connect closely related independent clauses. It indicates a stronger connection than a comma. For example: "Sheila loves to read; she spends hours in the library."What is the purpose of a period in punctuation?
A period is used at the end of a declarative or imperative sentence to indicate a full stop or the end of a thought.