Ch 3: Using Punctuation in English
About This Chapter
Using Punctuation in English - Chapter Summary
This chapter will teach you how to use proper punctuation in English. While the different punctuation rules for English may seem confusing at first, this chapter breaks down those English grammar rules that will help you feel comfortable using written English in any situation. This chapter covers topics like:
- Correct use of colons, semicolons, and periods
- Basic rules for—and correct use of—commas
- How to avoid confusion in clauses and contrasting sentence parts when using commas
- Rules for use of the apostrophe 's'
- Correct use of parentheses and dashes
- Correct use of brackets, ellipses, hyphens, and quotation marks
Engaging videos make grammar come alive as you work through this chapter. Our experts offer clear explanations and provide plenty of helpful examples. If you have questions, one of our experts will be there to guide you to the correct answer. The self-assessment quizzes throughout the chapter help you not only work through the content at your own pace but also solidify your new-found knowledge.
1. Punctuation: Using Colons, Semicolons & Periods
Periods, colons, and semicolons all have the ability to stop a sentence in its tracks, but for very different purposes. Learn how and why different punctuation signs are utilized in writing, including periods, colons, and semicolons, and discover how they help people make lists and connect words, phrases, and clauses.
2. Commas: Correct Usage & Basic Rules
Well-written documents include well placed commas, but the correct usage of commas can be challenging. Understand the importance of commas and learn the basic rules for using commas to separate the elements of a series, separate adjectives, pause after an introduction, and separate text that includes quotation marks.
3. Comma Usage: Avoid Confusion in Clauses & Contrasting Sentence Parts
Commas are an important tool used to create well-written documents but can create confusion in clauses and contrasting sentence parts when used incorrectly. Learn about commas and explore ways to use them correctly and avoid confusion.
4. Rules for Apostrophe 's'
An apostrophe is used to indicate ownership or missing letters in a contraction. All possessive nouns require an apostrophe, usually followed by the letter s. Discover the rules of the 's, including how to use it with singular nouns, plural nouns, compound words, and ownership, and explore how the 's is used in contractions.
5. Parentheses and Dashes: Correct Usage
Parentheses and dashes can be used in a sentence to organize thoughts, offset non-essential information, or avoid run-on sentences. Learn how to correctly use parentheses and dashes for proper sentence structure and write in a way that's easier for the reader to understand.
6. Using Hyphens, Brackets, Ellipses & Quotation Marks
There are four major punctuation types that are used in literature, and it is important to know them and their uses: hyphens, brackets, ellipses and quotation marks. Learn more about their importance and proper usage in the English language.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the CBEST Writing: Practice & Study Guide course