The 14 English Punctuation Marks & How to Use Them

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Master the art of punctuation with our comprehensive grammar guide

Co-authored by Tristen Bonacci, MEd and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: August 14, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Common Punctuation Marks
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• Punctuation Rules
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• FAQs
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• Capitalization
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• Video
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• Q&A
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• Tips

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Punctuation marks are one of the most important pieces in writing, and using them properly makes your sentences clearer and easy to read. While there are only a handful of punctuation marks that are commonly used, they each have their own rules for when and how to include them. Whether you’re learning how to use them for the first time or just need a refresher to improve your writing, we’ve got you covered. wikiHow spoke with English teachers to provide the best practices for each punctuation mark and answer your most common grammar questions.

Punctuation Marks Visual Guide

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There are 14 punctuation marks used in English writing, and they can appear within or at the end of a sentence. Punctuation marks inform readers when to pause during a sentence, what information is important, and the tone of voice meant to be used when reading.

Punctuation Cheat Sheet

Proper Punctuation Cheat Sheet

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

How to Properly Use Common Punctuation Marks

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1. 
   1
   Use a period to end a sentence or end an abbreviation. Periods (.) are also known as “final stops” because they’re used to finish a declarative statement. Periods signal the end of a complete thought and when to take a short break when you’re reading out loud. Besides ending a sentence, periods also separate the letters of or end an abbreviation.

   • Example: The man took his dog for a walk.
   • Example: Get the door for me.
   • Example: Mr. Johnson is the best teacher I’ve ever had.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Tristen Bonacci, MEd, is an English teacher with a BA in English Literature and more than 20 years of experience.

   Diane Stubbs is an English teacher with more than 25 years of experience teaching high school English and AP courses.
2. 
   2
   Add a comma to separate phrases or list items in a sentence. Commas (,) serve multiple functions in a sentence and add breaks in the text for separating information. Commas often signal where to take a brief pause when you’re reading a sentence, so but there are also specific times to use them:

   • Add commas to a list if you’re listing 3 or more items.
     • Example: The fruit basket contained apples, bananas, and oranges.
     • Example: The store sold electronics, video games, and computers.
   • Separate multiple adjectives before a noun with commas.
     • Example: He was a strong, silent man.
     • Example: The loud, annoying sound caught our attention.
   • English teacher Diane Stubbs notes that a comma always comes before the conjunction in a compound sentence.
     • Example: Ryan went to the beach, but he forgot his sunscreen.
     • Example: This is my first time here, and I’m really excited to try it out.
   • Put commas between geographical areas or parts of an address.
     • Example: Los Angeles, California is one of the largest cities in the United States.
     • Example: She’s from Chicago, Illinois.
   • Use a comma after an introductory phrase or direct address.
     • Example: After the show, John and Susie went out to dinner.
     • Example: Mom, I’m all done with my assignment.
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3. 
   3
   Join 2 related sentences with a semicolon. English teacher Tristen Bonacci, MEd, explains, “A semicolon (;) takes the place of a period” when you’re connecting 2 sentences (independent clauses) with a parallel construction or a related thought. Instead of using a period or a conjunction between the clauses, you may replace it with a semicolon instead.

   • Example: I like bananas; I like oranges.
   • Example: The mountain was beautiful in the sunset; she had never stopped to look at it before.
   • Semicolons may also be used to separate items in a list that already have commas.
     • Example: I went to the show with Jake, my close friend; his friend, Jane; and her best friend, Jenna.
4. 
   4
   Introduce a list or example with a colon. Bonacci states, “A colon (:) should be used when you're introducing something,” whether it’s a series of items in a list or an example of something you just described. The parts before and after the colon don’t have to be complete sentences on their own.

   • Example: He has given me three options: retake the exam, accept an extra credit assignment, or fail the class.
   • Example: There’s only one person old enough to remember it: grandma.
   • You do not need a colon if the sentence if the items you’re listing directly follow a verb.
     • Incorrect: At the party, I want to have: cake, ice cream, and chips.
     • Correct: At the party, I want to have cake, ice cream, and chips.
     • Correct: At the party, this is what I want to have: cake, ice cream, and chips.
   • You can also use a colon to separate a subtitle from a title, like The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
5. 
   5
   Use a hyphen to connect 2 words. Stubbs states, “A hyphen (-) is used to join words or even parts of words together” to show that they’re connected and share a single idea. They’re most often used to connect adjectives before a noun to create a stronger description and avoid confusion.

   • Example: The newspaper is the most up-to-date source for the latest information.
   • Example: The dentist recommends using alcohol-free mouthwash.
   • Example: Cara is his ex-girlfriend.
   • Hyphens may also be used in the middle of a word if it’s split between 2 lines of text.
   • Hyphens are also used between the words when you spell out numbers, such as fifty-two.
6. 
   6
   Add a dash to emphasize part of a sentence. A dash (—) is longer than a hyphen and it’s used to separate a section of a sentence that you want to draw attention to. It can be something that interrupts the current subject of the sentence or clarifies a really important detail that you don’t want the reader to miss.

   • Example: When she finally got her gift—the one she waited months for—she was so relieved.
   • Example: It was her favorite sandwich—peanut butter, marshmallow fluff, and a little chocolate syrup.
   • Example: The series—8 books in all—was published in the early ‘90s and 2000s.
7. 
   7
   Include an apostrophe for possessives and contractions. An apostrophe ( ‘ ) has a few different uses, but it’s mainly used to show who possesses something. Singular nouns typically end in “'s” and a plural noun ending in S adds an apostrophe to the end. When you’re combining words and making a contraction, the apostrophe signals where you dropped letters from the words.

   • Example: All of the puppy’s toys are in the closet.
   • Example: The dogs’ bowls need to be refilled with water.
   • Example: You can’t (cannot) let the dog out without a leash.
   • Example: Don’t (Do not) forget to text me when you get here.
8. 
   8
   Use quotation marks to signal direct quotes. Quotation marks (“”) around a phrase let the reader know that you’re quoting another source. This helps separate someone else’s thoughts and words from your own. They’re also used to signal when a person or character is speaking out loud. If a quote ends in the middle of a sentence, use a comma before the closing quotation mark. If the quote is the last thing in the sentence, use a period inside the marks.

   • Example: When asked about the test, Stephanie said, “It was more difficult than I thought, but I think I did well.”
   • Example: The article states, “The passenger pigeon officially went extinct in 1914.”
   • Example: “I can’t wait to see them perform,” said John.
   • If there’s a quote within a quote, use apostrophes to signal the second quote.
     • Example: Jennifer said, “And then Ali told me, ‘I don’t think I can make it.’”
9. 
   9
   End a sentence with a question mark if it’s a direct question. When you’re asking something, a question mark (?) signals that you’re looking for information rather than making a direct command.

   • Example: Do you want to hang out on Sunday?
   • Example: Is there anything else I can help you with?
   • Example: Why is the sky blue?
10. 
    10
    Finish sentences with an exclamation point for a stronger emotion. An exclamation point (!) gives a sentence more emphasis and more excitement. Exclamations also signal a loud or direct command. Use exclamation points sparingly in formal writing only when you need to add the most emphasis.

    • Example: I can’t believe how difficult that exam was!
    • Example: Oh my gosh, that was amazing!
    • Example: Don’t do that!
11. 
    11
    Provide additional information inside of parentheses. Parentheses ( ( ) ) are generally considered asides that contain clarifications for the text right before it. If a detail isn’t obvious from the rest of the sentence, enclosing it between parentheticals is a good option.

    • Example: Take some time (about 5 minutes) to think about your answer.
    • Example: Batman (along with his sidekick Robin) went out to go fight crime.
    • Put the ending punctuation outside of the parentheses, unless the parenthetical is a full sentence on its own.
      • Example: Each person will get a small bonus ($50).
      • Example: You will need a flashlight for the camping trip. (Don’t forget batteries!)
12. 
    12
    Clarify details or add words to quotes inside brackets. Square brackets ([ ]) are normally used to add more details to a direct quote that aren’t actually part of the quote. It might help explain a topic or something the speaker didn’t state out loud but give the reader more context.

    • Example: If the quote was “It was devastating!” and referring to an explosion, you could write, “‘[The blast] was devastating!’ said Susan Smith, a local bystander at the scene.”
    • Brackets may also be used with the word “sic” to signal a misspelling in the original text.
      • Example: It was there [sic] problem and not mine.
13. 
    13
    Use an ellipsis to omit information or signal a thought trailing off. An ellipsis (...) is a set of 3 dots that writers use to cut out unnecessary information and get right to the point. In fiction writing, an ellipsis can also signal a character hesitating over their words. At the end of the sentence, an ellipsis lets the reader know that the sentence is trailing off or to create suspense.

    • Example: “Today, on this historic day, we landed on the moon.” can be shortened to “Today…we landed on the moon.”
    • Example: “I don’t know if this is a good idea…”
    • Example: Um…I’m not sure about that.
14. 
    14
    Separate options or lines of prose with slashes. Slashes ( / ) are typically used when alternative options are listed in a sentence in place of the word “or.” Slashes are not used frequently in formal writing, but they still pop up from time to time.

    • Example: Each passenger must show his/her ticket in order to board the train.
    • Example: To register, you will need your driver’s license and/or your birth certificate.
    • Slashes are also used to separate lines of poetry, with a space before and after each one.
      • Example: Roses are red / Violets are blue / Nothing is sweeter / Than loving you.
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Section 2 of 4:

Important Punctuation Mark Rules

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1. 
   1
   Include only one punctuation mark at the end of a sentence. If a sentence ends with a question mark or exclamation point, you don’t need to include an additional period at the end. This is also true at the end of a quotation in the middle of a sentence.

   • Incorrect: “What can I do?,” he asked.
   • Correct: “What can I do?” he asked.
2. 
   2
   Use 1 space instead of 2 after a sentence. Back when people wrote on typewriters, using 2 spaces helped break sentences apart visually. Old fonts used the same amount of space for each letter, so the extra space helped the start of the next sentence stand out on the page. Now that most fonts are “variable-width” on a computer, you only need to use 1 space.
3. 
   3
   Avoid using a comma to connect 2 independent clauses. Using a comma to split up 2 independent clauses is called a comma splice, and it’s usually considered a run-on sentence. Instead of using a comma, add a conjunction, replace it with a semicolon, or split the clauses into separate sentences.

   • Example: I ate a piece of candy, now my stomach hurts.
   • Fixes:
     • I ate a piece of candy, and now my stomach hurts.
     • I ate a piece of candy; now my stomach hurts.
     • I ate a piece of candy. Now my stomach hurts.
4. 
   4
   Put question marks and exclamation points inside quotation marks if they’re part of the quote. When a sentence ends with a phrase in quotation marks, the period normally stays inside of them. If the quoted material ends in a question mark or exclamation point, then they can stay inside the quotation marks too. If the quote doesn’t contain one of those marks, then leave them outside.

   • Example: He asked, “Do you want any candy?”
   • Example: Does that sign say “Turn here”?
   • Put semicolons and colons outside of quotation marks.
     • Example: She described it as “the most important discovery”; her colleagues did not.
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Section 3 of 4:

Frequently Asked Questions: Punctuation

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1. 1
   What punctuation mark is most often used incorrectly? Commas are usually considered the most misused punctuation mark because writers either add too many or forget to use them at all. Bonacci says that the best way to figure out if you need a comma is to say it out loud and see where you take a breath or feel the need to pause.
2. 2
   Why is punctuation important? Think of punctuation marks like signs guiding a reader through the sentences you’ve written. Different punctuation can signal what thoughts are connected to each other, when to pause or stop while reading, or what sections contain important information. When you have perfect punctuation, your writing will be easier to read and understand.

   • Sometimes, forgetting a punctuation mark can change the meaning of a sentence. For example, “Let’s eat, kids!” has a completely different meaning than “Let’s eat kids.”
3. 3
   How can you improve your punctuation? To get better at punctuation, practice using it properly every time you write something out. Take the extra time to end your sentences with punctuation marks. When you read the sentence out loud, see where you naturally take pauses and check if you have commas or periods there.
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Section 4 of 4:

Rules for Capitalization

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1. 
   1
   Start sentences with a capital letter. Every sentence you write has to begin with a capital letter. An exception to this rule is if your sentence starts out with a lowercase brand name like "wikiHow" or "iPod".

   • Example: She invited her friend over after school.
   • If there’s a quote in the middle of your sentence, capitalize the first letter of the quote as well.
     • Example: He said, “That sounds like fun!”
2. 2
   Use capital letters at the beginning of proper nouns and titles. In addition to starting sentences, capital letters also occur at the start of proper nouns, which are the names of specific people, places, and things. Titles, a type of proper noun, are the names of books, movies, artwork, institutions, geographical areas, and honorifics like “Her Majesty” or “Mr. President”.

   • Here are a few examples of capital letters being used for proper nouns and titles:
     • The Jefferson family went on a trip to China, the most populated country in Asia.
     • Queen Roberta's favorite museum in the world is the Smithsonian, which she visited during her trip to Washington, D.C. last year.
   • If a proper noun or title has more than one word, capitalize each one except for small words, such as “the,” “an,” or “and.” If the proper noun starts with one of these small words, capitalize it.
     • Example: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
   • Don’t forget that the letter “i” is always capitalized when you use it as a pronoun, no matter where it’s located in a sentence.
     • Example: I never thought that I would be in this situation.
3. 
   3
   Use capital letters for acronyms. An acronym is formed from the first letter of every word in a long proper noun or title. Acronyms are frequently used to shorten long proper nouns that would be awkward to reprint in their entirety every time they are mentioned. Sometimes the letters of an acronym are separated by periods.

   • Example: The CIA and the NSA are just two of the USA's many intelligence agencies.
   • Example: I’m in a hurry, so can you please send me that email ASAP?
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• Question

  I have so many problem with articles (The , A / An). How can I master them?

  

  Community Answer

  Keep practicing. Read a lot of English text and pay attention to how they are used. A/An are very easy to distinguish - they're the same thing, the 'n' is just added if the article comes before a word that starts with a vowel sound (eagle, angry, honest, Indian, etc.). For explanation and examples of the different uses of A/An and The, check out www.englishpage.com/articles/a-an-vs-the.htm.

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• Question

  How do I use [sic] properly?

  

  Community Answer

  You can use it immediately after an error in a quotation (commonly a misspelling). This is something most people are relatively unlikely to ever need to use; it's mainly used by journalists or authors when they quote writing that contains an error and want to make clear that the error was present in the original source, not made by the current writer/publication. For example: A statement released by the Trump campaign said, "We need too [sic] make America great again."

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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• Question

  What about this sign: ~ ?

  

  Donagan

  Top Answerer

  Known as a "tilde," the ~ symbol is often used in a mathematical context to indicate approximation or proportionality.

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  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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