Punctuation marks are symbols that are used to aid the clarity and comprehension of written language. Some common punctuation marks are the period, comma, question mark, exclamation point, apostrophe, quotation mark and hyphen.
| Punctuation Mark | Symbol | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apostrophe | ‘ | An apostrophe is used as a substitute for a missing letter or letters in a word (as in the contraction cannot = can’t), to show the possessive case (Jane’s room), and in the plural of letters, some numbers and abbreviations. Note: groups of years no longer require an apostrophe (for example, the 1950s or the 90s). | I can’t see the cat’s tail. Dot your i’s and cross your t’s. 100’s of years. |
| Colon | : | A colon is used before a list or quote.A colon is used to separate hours and minutes.A colon is used to separate elements of a mathematical ratio. | There are many punctuation marks: period, comma, colon, and others. The time is 2:15. The ratio of girls to boys is 3:2. |
| Comma | , | A comma is used to separate phrases or items in a list. | She bought milk, eggs, and bread. |
| Dash | – | A dash is used to separate parts of a sentence. | The dash is also known as an “em dash” because it is the length of a printed letter m – it is longer than a hyphen. |
| Ellipsis | … | An ellipsis (three dots) indicates that part of the text has been intentionally been left out. | 0, 2, 4, … , 100 |
| Exclamation point | ! | An exclamation point is used to show excitement or emphasis. | It is cold! |
| Hyphen | - | A hyphen is used between parts of a compound word or name. It is also used to split a word by syllables to fit on a line of text. | The sixteen-year-old girl is a full-time student. |
| Parentheses | ( ) | Parentheses are curved lines used to separate explanations or qualifying statements within a sentence (each one of the curved lines is called a parenthesis). The part in the parentheses is called a parenthetical remark. | This sentence (like others on this page) contains a parenthetical remark. |
| Period | . | A period is used to note the end of a declarative sentence. | I see the house. |
| Question mark | ? | A question mark is used at the end of a question. | When are we going? |
| Quotation mark | “ | Quotation marks are used at the beginning and end of a phrase to show that it is being written exactly as it was originally said or written. | She said, “Let’s eat.” |
| Semicolon | ; | A semicolon separates two independent clauses in a compound sentence.A semicolon is also used to separate items in a series (where commas are already in use). | Class was canceled today; Mr. Smith was home sick. Relatives at the reunion included my older brother, Bob; my cousin, Art; and my great-aunt, Mattie. |
A page of punctuation marks and other common symbols from the Little Explorers Picture Dictionary in English.
Punctuation Marks Wheel : This 2-page print-out makes a punctuation marks wheel; it consists of a base page together with a wheel that spins around. When you spin the wheel, punctuation marks appear, including: period, comma, question mark, hyphen, dash, parentheses, apostrophe, ellipsis, quotation mark, colon, semicolon, exclamation point. Write the 12 punctuation marks that are on the wheel.
Punctuation Marks Tiny Picture Dictionary - A Book to Print. Cut out each page and staple them together in the right order to make a tiny book. Then write each word in the book. Words: apostrophe, colon, comma, ellipsis, exclamation point, hyphen, parentheses, period, question mark, quotation mark, and semicolon.
Punctuation Marks Cut-and-Paste Picture Dictionary - A Book to Print. Color, cut and paste the pictures in the right places. Then write the words under the pictures. Cut out each page and staple them together (in the right order) to make a tiny book. Words: apostrophe, colon, comma, ellipsis, exclamation point, hyphen, parentheses, period, question mark, quotation mark, and semicolon.
Punctuation Marks Cut-and-Paste Picture Dictionary - A Book to Print. Color, cut and paste the pictures in the right places. Then write the words under the pictures. Cut out each page and staple them together (in the right order) to make a tiny book. Words: apostrophe, colon, comma, ellipsis, exclamation point, hyphen, parentheses, period, question mark, quotation mark, and semicolon.
Put a period at the end of each declarative (telling) sentence. Put a question mark at the end of each question. Put an exclamation point at the end of each exclamation or command.
Put a period, exclamation point, or question mark after each sentence in this worksheet!
Put a period at the end of each declarative (telling) sentence. Put a question mark at the end of each question. Put an exclamation point at the end of each exclamation or command.
Add punctuation marks to the sentences in this printable worksheet.
Add punctuation marks to the sentences in this printout.
Re-write the sentences, correcting the capitalization and adding punctuation marks.
Re-write the sentences, correcting the capitalization and adding punctuation marks. Printout.
Re-write the sentences, correcting the capitalization and adding punctuation marks. Printout.
Match 10 ‘punctuation symbol’ words to their pictures, in this printout for early readers.
Find and write the name of and symbol for eight punctuation marks: A printout about related words for early readers.
A printout about punctuation marks for early readers: unscramble the punctuation mark names.
A printout about punctuation makrs for early readers: fill in the missing letter in each punctuation mark’s name.
Match 10 Spanish punctuation marks to their pictures in this printable worksheet.
Label the 10 punctuation mark words in this printable worksheet.
A list of many contractions organized by category, as well as a list of various contraction-related activities and worksheets.
This worksheet has dates written incorrectly. The student should fix th punctuation and capitalization of the dates.