Punctuation

Rules and...
Exceptions-to-the-Rule (Which are Still Rules)

In the English language, we have standard, memorable rules for punctuation.  To write most clearly, correctly, and to impress your English instructor, be sure to memorize these 'rules' of punctuation.

While there are some exceptions to the "standard punctuation" rules...these, too, are rules...Really!  If there are preset exceptions-to-the-rules, then these exceptions are simply a secondary set of rules, right?  Think of them like "PART B" to the initial rule set you learn for a given type of punctuation.  Have I lost you?  Hopefully you're with me.  If not, try the information above one more time.  :)  You'll get it.  I promise!!

For some brief concepts on common and not-so-common punctuation, see this listing from the grammarist.com.  For more details and specific rules on commonly used punctuation, see my listing of punctuation-types listed on the right side of this website.

Punctuation marks

1. Apostrophe ( ‘ )
2. Brackets ( [ ] ) (coming soon)
3. Colon ( : )
4. Comma ( , )
5. Ellipsis ( … )
6. Em dash ( — )
7. En dash (— )
8. Hyphen ( – )
9. Parentheses ( ( ) )
10. Period/full stop ( . )
11. Question mark ( ? )
12. Quotation marks ( “” )
13. Semicolon ( ; )
14. Virgule ( / )

English Punctuation Rules

Periods Commas Semicolons Colons Quotation Marks Parentheses and Brackets Apostrophes Hyphens Dashes Ellipses Question Marks Exclamation Points

The Punctuation Guide

Miscellaneous Concepts from "The Punctuation Guide" online

• Punctuation Using Word Processors
• British vs American Style--Punctuation
• End Marks--terminal punctuation
• Pausing Points--for punctuation
• Hyphen vs Dashes
• Other Points
• Punctuating Quotations and the Contents Within
• Top 10 Punctuating Tips