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A Complete Guide to Punctuation Marks

Tap a mark to see exactly how and when it is used.

Comma ( , )

Separates items in a list, marks a short pause within a sentence, or sets off a nonessential phrase -- one of the most frequently used marks and one of the easiest to misuse.

Semicolon ( ; )

Joins two complete, closely related sentences with a connection stronger than a comma but softer than a period -- each side of the semicolon needs to be able to stand alone as its own sentence.

Colon ( : )

Introduces a list, or elaborates on and explains the statement that came just before it.

Em dash ( β€” )

A long dash used to insert a sudden aside, add emphasis, or attach an explanation mid-sentence -- it creates a stronger visual break than a comma or parentheses.

Ellipsis ( ... )

Shows that a sentence trails off intentionally, or that part of a quoted passage has been omitted.

Apostrophe ( ' )

Marks possession (Tom's) or stands in for missing letters in a contraction (don't).

Quotation marks ( " " )

Enclose someone else's exact words when quoting them directly, or set off a word being used in a special or ironic sense.

Hyphen ( - )

A short dash that joins two words into a compound term, or splits a word across a line break.

One mark can change what a sentence means

Marks that look similar, like the semicolon and colon, actually serve distinct grammatical roles. Using them correctly makes writing read as more polished and communicates exactly the meaning you intend.

This covers general usage -- style guides can differ on the details

Different style guides (like AP or Chicago in English) sometimes disagree on finer points, such as when a comma before "and" in a list is required. What is covered here reflects common, broadly accepted usage rather than any single style guide's exact rulebook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a comma and a semicolon interchangeably?

No -- a semicolon connects two complete sentences, while joining two complete sentences with only a comma is a grammar error known as a comma splice.

Are an em dash and a hyphen the same thing?

No -- a hyphen (-) joins words together, while an em dash (β€”) is a longer mark used to insert an aside or add emphasis in the middle of a sentence. They are visually similar but grammatically distinct.