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Common misspellings - Oxford Dictionaries Online

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Home Better writing Spelling Common misspellings

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Improve your English

Abbreviations Common misspellings

Heres a quick-reference guide to the top misspellings according to the Oxford English Corpus an electronic collection of over 2billion words of real English that helps us to see how people are using the language and also shows us the mistakes that are most

often made.

The table gives the correct spelling of the word, handy tips o n getting it right, and also the most common misspellings that weve

found in our research, so you can check to see if any of the same mistakes have been tripping you up.

C or re ct s pe ll in g S pe ll in g a dv ic e C om m on m is sp ell in g

accommodate,

accommodation

two cs, two ms accomodate, accomodation

achieve i before e acheive

across one c accrossaggressive,

aggression

two gs agressive, agression

apparently -ent not -ant apparantly

appearance ends with -ance appearence

argument no e after the u arguement

assassination two double s s assasination

basically ends with -ally basicly

beginning double n before the -ing begining

believe i before e beleive, belive

bizarre one z , double -r bizzare

business begins with busi- buisness

calendar -ar not -er calender

Caribbean one r , twobs Carribean

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cemetery ends with -ery cemetary

chauffeur ends with -eur chauffer

colleague -ea- in the middle collegue

coming one m comming

committee double m , double t, double e commitee

completely ends with -ely completly

conscious -sc- in the middle concious

curiosity -os- in the middle curiousity

defnitely -ite- not ate- defnately

dilemma -mm- not -mn- dilemna

disappear one s , two ps dissapear

disappoint one s , two p s dissapoint

ecstasy ends with sy ecstacy

embarrass two r s, two s s embarass

environment n before the m enviroment

existence ends with -ence existance

Fahrenheit begins with Fahr- Farenheit

familiar ends with -iar familar

fnally two ls fnaly

uorescent begins with fuor- orescentforeign e before i foriegn

foreseeable begins with fore- forseeable

forty begins with for- fourty

forward begins with for- foward

friend i before e freind

further begins with fur- futher

gist begins with g- jist

glamorous -mor- in the middle glamourous

government n before the m goverment

guard begins with gua- gaurd

happened ends with -ened happend

har as s, harassment one r , two s s harrass, harrassment

honorary -nor- in the middle honourary

humorous -mor- in the middle humourous

idiosyncrasy ends with -asy idiosyncracy

immediately ends with -ely immediatly

incidentally ends with -ally incidently

independent ends with -ent independant

interrupt two r s interupt

irresistible ends with -ible irresistable

knowledge remember the d knowlege

liaise, liaison remember the second i: liais- liase, liason

lollipop i in the middle lollypop


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millennium,

millennia

double l, double n millenium, millenia

Neanderthal ends with -thal Neandertal

necessary one c, two s s neccessary

noticeable remember the middle e noticable

occasion two cs, one s ocassion, occassion

occ urr ed, oc curring two cs, two r s occured, occuring

occurrence two cs, two r s, -ence not -ance occurance, occurence

pavilion one l pavillion

persistent ends with -ent persistantpharaoh ends with -aoh pharoah

piece i before e peice

politician ends with -cian politican

Portuguese ends with guese Portugese

possession two s s in the middle and two at

the end

posession

preferred, preferring two r s prefered, prefering

propaganda begins with propa- propoganda

publicly ends with cly publically

really two ls realy

receive e before i recieve

referred, referring two r s refered, refering

religious ends with -gious religous

remember -mem- in the middle rember, remeber

resistance ends with -ance resistence

sense ends with -se sence

separate -par- in the middle seperate

siege i before e seige

successful two cs, two s s succesful

supersede ends with -sede supercede

surprise begins with sur- suprise

tattoo two ts, two os tatoo

tendency ends with -ency tendancy

therefore ends with -fore therefor

threshold one h in the middle threshhold

tomorrow one m , two rs tommorow, tommorrow

tongue begins with ton-, ends with -

gu e

tounge

truly no e truely

unforeseen remember the e after the r unforseen

unfortunately ends with -ely unfortunatly

until one l at the end untillweird e before i wierd

wherever one e in the middle whereever


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which begins with wh- wich

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Commonly confused words - Oxford Dictionaries Online

file:///C|/Users/sama/Desktop/Commonly%20confused%20words.htm[19/12/2011 23:10:45]

Home Better writing Improve your English Commonly confused words

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Abbreviations Commonly confused words

Take a look at these two sentences one of them contains a mistake:

I poured over book after book.

We pored over the catalogues.

Are you uncertain which one is right? There are a lot of words in English that look or sound alike but have very different

meanings, such as pore and pour orfauntandfout. Its easy to get them confused and most electronic spellcheckers wont be

much help in this type of situation: they can tell you if a word has been spelled wrongly but they cant generally ag up the misuse

of a correctly spelled word.

Heres a quick-reference list of pairs of words that regularly cause people problems. The words follow the accepted British English

spelling. Some of them do have alternative American spellings and you will nd these at the main dictionary entry on this

website.

Word 1 Meaning Word 2 Meaning

accept to agree to receive or

do

except not including

adverse unfavourable, harmful averse strongly disliking;

opposed

advice recommendations

about what to do

advise to recommend

something

affect to change or make a

difference to

effect a result; to bring about

a result

aisle a passage between

rows of seats

isle an island

all together all in one place, all atonce

altogether completely; on thewhole

along moving or extending a long referring to something



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horizontally on of great length

aloud out loud allowed permitted

altar a sacred table in a

church

alter to change

amoral not concerned with

right or wrong

immoral not following accepted

moral standards

appraise to assess apprise to inform someone

assent agreement, approval ascent the action of rising or

climbing up

aural relating to the ears or

hearing

oral relating to the mouth;

spokenbalmy pleasantly warm barmy foolish, crazy

bare naked; to uncover bear to carry; to put up with

bated in phrase 'with bated

breath', i.e. in great

suspense

baited with bait attached or

inserted

bazaar a Middle Eastern

market

bizarre strange

berth a bunk in a ship, train,

etc.

birth the emergence of a baby

from the womb

born having started life borne carried

bough a branch of a tree bow to bend the head; the

front of a ship

brake a device for stopping a

vehicle; to stop a

vehicle

break to separate into pieces;

a pause

breach to break through, or

break a rule; a gap

breech the back part of a gun

barrel

broach to raise a subject for

discussion

brooch a piece of jewellery

canvas a type of strong cloth canvass to seek peoples votes

censure to criticize strongly censor to ban parts of a book or

lm; a person who does

this

cereal a grass producing an

edible grain; abreakfast food made

from grains

serial happening in a series

chord a group of musical

notes

cord a length of string; a

cord-like body part

climactic forming a climax climatic relating to climate

coarse rough course a direction; a school

subject; part of a meal

complacent smug and self-satised complaisant wil ling to p lease

complement to add to so as to

improve; an addition

that improves

something

compliment to praise or expr ess

approval; an admiring

remark

council a group of people who

manage or advise

counsel advice; to advise

cue a signal for action; a queue a line of people or


7/45



wooden rod vehicles

curb to keep something in

check; a control or

limit

kerb (in British English) the

stone edge of a

pavement

currant a dried grape current happening now; a ow

of water, air, or

electricity

defuse to make a situation

less tense

diffuse to spread over a wide

area

desert a waterless, empty

area; to abandon

someone

dessert the sweet course of a

meal

discreet careful not to attract

attention

discrete separate and distinct

disinterested impartial uninterested not interested

draught a current of air draft a rst version of a piece

of writing

draw an even score at the

end of a game

drawer a sliding storage

compartment

dual having two parts duel a ght or contest

between two people

elicit to draw out a reply or

reaction

illicit not allowed by law or

rules

ensure to make certain that

something will happen

insure to provide

compensation if a

person dies or property

is damaged

envelop to cover or surround envelope a paper container for a

letter

exercise physical activity; to do

physical activity

exorcise to drive out an evil spirit

fawn a young deer; light

brown

faun a mythical being, part

man, part goat

aunt to display

ostentatiously

out to disregard a rule

ounder to move clumsily; tohave difculty doing

something

founder to fail

forbear to refrain forebear an ancestor

foreword an introduction to a

book

forward onwards, ahead

freeze to turn to ice frieze a decoration along a

wall

grisly gruesome, revolting grizzly a type of bear

hoard a store horde a large crowd of people

imply to suggest indirectly infer to draw a conclusion

loath reluctant, unwilling loathe to hate

loose to unfasten; to set free lose to be deprived of; to be

unable to nd

meter a measuring device metre a metric unit; rhythm in

verse


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militate to be a powerful factor

against

mitigate to make less severe

palate the roof of the mouth palette a board for mixing

colours

pedal a foot-operated lever peddle to sell goods

pole a long, slender piece of

wood

poll voting in an election

pour to ow or cause to ow pore a tiny opening; to study

something closely

practice the use of an idea or

method; the work orbusiness of a doctor,

dentist, etc.

practise to do something

repeatedly to gain skill;to do something

regularly

prescribe to authorize use of

medicine; to order

authoritatively

proscribe to ofcially forbid

something

principal most important; the

head of a school

principle a fundamental rule or

belief

sceptic a person inclined to

doubt

septic infected with bacteria

sight the ability to see site a location

stationary not moving stationery writing materials

storey a level of a building story a tale or account

titillate to arouse interest titivate to make more attractive

tortuous full of twists; complex torturous full of pain or suffering

wreath a ring-shaped

arrangement of

owers etc.

wreathe to surround or encircle

See also

Like

Themselves or themself?
http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BPeF2A5PvTtafPOyE2gXwqrTyBb-V5PABh_XH-h7AjbcB8JMJEAEYASDM6_wcKAQ4AFCPz5TjBmDtiu-D1A-gAd3-l_cDugEKMzAweDI1MF9hc8gBAdoBP2ZpbGU6Ly8vQyU3Qy9Vc2Vycy9zYW1hL0Rlc2t0b3AvQ29tbW9ubHklMjBjb25mdXNlZCUyMHdvcmRzLmh0bYACAeACAOoCGy82MTAzMDQ0L1NlY0NvbnRlbnRfMzAweDI1MJADogeYA9AFqAMByAMX6AO3AugDwgT1AwAAAMT1AwAAQBDgBAGIBgE&num=1&cid=5GgOfp5DdfZWOKyikn02qLyk&sig=AOD64_0RaYTy8LJRJN1xhYZo9G0ko_y68Q&client=ca-pub-7195761383704357&adurl=http://www.phonepower.com/services/voip/business/sipTrunking.aspxhttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BEbRlA5PvTtafPOyE2gXwqrTyBfnT-eEB5cm3wxTAjbcBkL8FEAIYAiDM6_wcKAQ4AFCjwoKH______8BYO2K74PUD6ABw7Ct_gO6AQozMDB4MjUwX2FzyAEB2gE_ZmlsZTovLy9DJTdDL1VzZXJzL3NhbWEvRGVza3RvcC9Db21tb25seSUyMGNvbmZ1c2VkJTIwd29yZHMuaHRtgAIB4AIA6gIbLzYxMDMwNDQvU2VjQ29udGVudF8zMDB4MjUwkAOiB5gD0AWoAwHIAxfoA7cC6APCBPUDAAAAxPUDAABAEOAEAYgGAQ&num=2&cid=5GgOfp5DdfZWOKyikn02qLyk&sig=AOD64_0AOzEZDHypfPEkfVL5TWmxGVdS3g&client=ca-pub-7195761383704357&adurl=http://www.starnet.com/info/LinuxLIVE.php%3Fsource%3DGoogleContent%26group%3DLinuxLIVE%26keyword%3Dlinux%2520pchttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=B5IqpA5PvTtafPOyE2gXwqrTyBc2whcAC_e6MpzLAjbcB4NQDEAMYAyDM6_wcKAQ4AFDqk4_8BGDtiu-D1A-gAZPynNQDugEKMzAweDI1MF9hc8gBAdoBP2ZpbGU6Ly8vQyU3Qy9Vc2Vycy9zYW1hL0Rlc2t0b3AvQ29tbW9ubHklMjBjb25mdXNlZCUyMHdvcmRzLmh0bYACAakC-LZJsMR7kz7IAq2B5yvgAgDqAhsvNjEwMzA0NC9TZWNDb250ZW50XzMwMHgyNTCQA6IHmAPQBagDAcgDF-gDtwLoA8IE9QMAAADE9QMAAEAQ4AQBiAYB&num=3&cid=5GgOfp5DdfZWOKyikn02qLyk&sig=AOD64_1Y27rgsttXJ4-S4X_Vkgzu8pHDfw&client=ca-pub-7195761383704357&adurl=http://english-grammar-rules.comhttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=L&ai=Bys-FA5PvTtafPOyE2gXwqrTyBY71xqUCvoy_1wLAjbcBkLAKEAQYBCDM6_wcKAQ4AFDo9J6xBWDtiu-D1A-6AQozMDB4MjUwX2FzyAEB2gE_ZmlsZTovLy9DJTdDL1VzZXJzL3NhbWEvRGVza3RvcC9Db21tb25seSUyMGNvbmZ1c2VkJTIwd29yZHMuaHRtgAIB4AIA6gIbLzYxMDMwNDQvU2VjQ29udGVudF8zMDB4MjUwkAOiB5gD0AWoAwHIAxfoA7cC6APCBPUDAAAAxPUDAABAEOAEAQ&num=4&sig=AOD64_1qzmg0ft7ViolmB_0IUgotvNp35w&client=ca-pub-7195761383704357&adurl=http://www.openmethodology.orghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/likehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/themselves-or-themselfhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/themselves-or-themselfhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/likehttp://www.google.com/url?ct=abg&q=https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/request.py%3Fcontact%3Dabg_afc%26url%3Dfile:///C%25257C/Users/sama/Desktop/Commonly%252520confused%252520words.htm%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dca-pub-7195761383704357%26adU%3Dwww.PhonePower.com%26adT%3DSIP%2BTrunking%26adU%3Dwww.starnet.com%26adT%3DLinuxLIVE%2Bfor%2BLinux%2BPCs%26adU%3Denglish-grammar-rules.com%26adT%3DEnglish%2BGrammar%2Bfor%2BFree%26adU%3Dwww.openmethodology.org%26adT%3DMIKE2.0%2BMethodology%26gl%3DIR&usg=AFQjCNGposvUjYVBiCaBlpdXwcUF_E6yTghttp://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/aclk?sa=L&ai=Bys-FA5PvTtafPOyE2gXwqrTyBY71xqUCvoy_1wLAjbcBkLAKEAQYBCDM6_wcKAQ4AFDo9J6xBWDtiu-D1A-6AQozMDB4MjUwX2FzyAEB2gE_ZmlsZTovLy9DJTdDL1VzZXJzL3NhbWEvRGVza3RvcC9Db21tb25seSUyMGNvbmZ1c2VkJTIwd29yZHMuaHRtgAIB4AIA6gIbLzYxMDMwNDQvU2VjQ29udGVudF8zMDB4MjUwkAOiB5gD0AWoAwHIAxfoA7cC6APCBPUDAAAAxPUDAABAEOAEAQ&num=4&sig=AOD64_1qzmg0ft7ViolmB_0IUgotvNp35w&client=ca-pub-7195761383704357&adurl=http://www.openmethodology.orghttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=B5IqpA5PvTtafPOyE2gXwqrTyBc2whcAC_e6MpzLAjbcB4NQDEAMYAyDM6_wcKAQ4AFDqk4_8BGDtiu-D1A-gAZPynNQDugEKMzAweDI1MF9hc8gBAdoBP2ZpbGU6Ly8vQyU3Qy9Vc2Vycy9zYW1hL0Rlc2t0b3AvQ29tbW9ubHklMjBjb25mdXNlZCUyMHdvcmRzLmh0bYACAakC-LZJsMR7kz7IAq2B5yvgAgDqAhsvNjEwMzA0NC9TZWNDb250ZW50XzMwMHgyNTCQA6IHmAPQBagDAcgDF-gDtwLoA8IE9QMAAADE9QMAAEAQ4AQBiAYB&num=3&cid=5GgOfp5DdfZWOKyikn02qLyk&sig=AOD64_1Y27rgsttXJ4-S4X_Vkgzu8pHDfw&client=ca-pub-7195761383704357&adurl=http://english-grammar-rules.comhttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BEbRlA5PvTtafPOyE2gXwqrTyBfnT-eEB5cm3wxTAjbcBkL8FEAIYAiDM6_wcKAQ4AFCjwoKH______8BYO2K74PUD6ABw7Ct_gO6AQozMDB4MjUwX2FzyAEB2gE_ZmlsZTovLy9DJTdDL1VzZXJzL3NhbWEvRGVza3RvcC9Db21tb25seSUyMGNvbmZ1c2VkJTIwd29yZHMuaHRtgAIB4AIA6gIbLzYxMDMwNDQvU2VjQ29udGVudF8zMDB4MjUwkAOiB5gD0AWoAwHIAxfoA7cC6APCBPUDAAAAxPUDAABAEOAEAYgGAQ&num=2&cid=5GgOfp5DdfZWOKyikn02qLyk&sig=AOD64_0AOzEZDHypfPEkfVL5TWmxGVdS3g&client=ca-pub-7195761383704357&adurl=http://www.starnet.com/info/LinuxLIVE.php%3Fsource%3DGoogleContent%26group%3DLinuxLIVE%26keyword%3Dlinux%2520pchttp://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=BPeF2A5PvTtafPOyE2gXwqrTyBb-V5PABh_XH-h7AjbcB8JMJEAEYASDM6_wcKAQ4AFCPz5TjBmDtiu-D1A-gAd3-l_cDugEKMzAweDI1MF9hc8gBAdoBP2ZpbGU6Ly8vQyU3Qy9Vc2Vycy9zYW1hL0Rlc2t0b3AvQ29tbW9ubHklMjBjb25mdXNlZCUyMHdvcmRzLmh0bYACAeACAOoCGy82MTAzMDQ0L1NlY0NvbnRlbnRfMzAweDI1MJADogeYA9AFqAMByAMX6AO3AugDwgT1AwAAAMT1AwAAQBDgBAGIBgE&num=1&cid=5GgOfp5DdfZWOKyikn02qLyk&sig=AOD64_0RaYTy8LJRJN1xhYZo9G0ko_y68Q&client=ca-pub-7195761383704357&adurl=http://www.phonepower.com/services/voip/business/sipTrunking.aspx


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5 High ViewNewboroughNB1 3RS

22 August 2007Mr R T BlackCustomer Services DepartmentSunny HolidaysPO Box 4BramptonBR4 3JH

Dear Mr Black

Holiday Reference Number: CT2118M

Following our telephone conversation earlier today, I am writing to give details of mydissatisfaction with my holiday at the New Hotel, Los Christianos, Tenerife (10 to 18 August2005) that I booked with your company for myself and my family.

My central complaint is that the hotel fell far short of the description in the brochure. We hadbooked two double en-suite rooms (numbers 213 and 214); although said to be four-star

accommodation, the bedrooms were very cramped and the furnishings worn and dirty. Inaddition to this, the toilet was blocked in room 214 and the shower wasnt working in room213. The hotels grounds, described in the brochure as pleasant, tranquil, and spacious werein fact bordered on two sides by a very busy main road, while the swimming pool was closedthe entire week for repairs.

When we spoke to your representative (Tracey Mills), she promised to try to get the showerand toilet fixed but this took an unacceptably long time to happen 3 days from when we firstcomplained. I asked her to fill out a holiday report form detailing these issues and enclose acopy for your information, together with photos of the bedrooms and the hotel grounds.

As stated in my telephone call, I feel that we are due a full refund for this holiday as it failed tomeet the description in the brochure, together with compensation to make up for the fact ourholiday was ruined. I look forward to hearing from you within the next fortnight.


11/45

Jenny Hawkins8 Dean CloseNEWFORD

NW3 2NY

11 November 2007Customer Services ManagerEvans Electrical Products7 Swan StreetBramptonBR2 1RW

Dear Sir or Madam

RE: EasyIron Electric Iron (Model no: 2279)

I bought the above iron from The Electrical Store in Newford on 10 October 2005. On using itfor the first time, I found that the temperature control was faulty; it was not possible to set it forany temperature apart from the highest (cotton).

When I returned the iron to the store, they said that they were unable to replace it or offer mea refund, but that it could be sent away for repair. As I need an iron on a daily basis, and itwas not clear how long the repair would take, this option was unsatisfactory. As the iron

clearly does not function as it should and therefore does not comply with the legal standardsof product quality, I am therefore writing to you to ask for a full refund of the price (35.99).

I look forward to hearing from you within the next fortnight.

Yours faithfully

Jenny Hawkins (Ms)


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Flat 122aFordham WayKingtonKG8 6LP6 November 2009

Mr G J Warren18 Hurst RiseLower MinfordMN5 3TR

Dear Mr Warren

Essential repairs: Flat 122a Fordham Way, Kington

Further to my telephone calls on 1 and 4 November about the leaking radiator in the mainbedroom, I am writing to express my concern that repair work has not yet been carried out.

As I stressed when we spoke, this leak is causing a very damp patch near to an electrical socket

and as a result I have been unable to use the socket for my PC for a week. Apart from thedangerous aspects of this situation, it is also causing me much inconvenience and disrupting mystudies, as I have to use the power point in the shared living room instead.

I would be grateful if you could arrange for the radiator to be fixed within the next two days.Please contact me as soon as possible to let me know when the heating engineer will arrive, sothat I can be at the flat to show him the extent of the problem.

Yours sincerely

Daniel Simmons


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Patrick Bowles12 Scuttle StreetFenwick

FR1 6MN

7 April 2008Mr D HamptonManagerSunshine Blinds20 Apollo RoadFenwickFR1 7TB

Dear Mr Hampton,

Fiesta blackout roller blind

I am writing to complain about the faulty installation of the above blackout blind to mybedroom window. This was fitted by Mr Brand from your company on Monday 29 March. Thatsame evening I discovered the mechanism was not working and that it was impossible toeither raise or lower the blind.

I phoned your company the following morning and Mr Brand returned 3 days later to repairthe fault. However, although the blind worked for the first few days after his visit, it thenjammed once more. When I phoned again on 6 April to report this fault, I was told that no onewould be available to visit me for two weeks.

As I regularly work at nights and this blind is the only means of blocking out daylight, it is vitalthat it is functioning properly so I can sleep during the day. I therefore would appreciate it ifyou would ensure that someone returns to replace the blind by the end of the week.

Yours sincerely

Patrick Bowles (Dr)

P i O f d Di i i O li


14/45

Punctuation - Oxford Dictionaries Online

file:///C|/Users/sama/Desktop/Punctuation.htm[20/12/2011 14:20:03]

Home Better writing Punctuation

Better writing

Grammar

Spelling

Punctuation

Practical writing


Abbreviations Punctuation

Why do we need pu nctuation?

Punctuation marks are essential when you are writing. They show the reader where sentences start and nish and i f they are used

properly they make your writing easy to understand. This section gives practical guidance on how to use commas, semicolons,

and other types of punctuation correctly, so that your writing will always be clear and effective.

You may nd some aspects of punctuation harder to grasp than others (for example, when to use a semicolon or a colon). If so,

just click on the relevant heading in the list to the left. There are also handy sections with advice on using punctuation when

writing direct speech, lists, or abbreviations.

Types of punctuation

full stop

comma

semicolon

colon

apostrophe

hyphen

dash

brackets

inverted commas

exclamation mark

question mark

bullet point

See also

Punctuation in direct speech

Punctuation in listsPunctuation in abbreviations



resources




P t ti O f d Di ti i O li
http://oxforddictionaries.com/http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/grammarhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/spellinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/practical-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/improve-your-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abbreviationshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/full-stophttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/commahttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/semicolonhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/colonhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/apostrophehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/hyphenhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/dashhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/bracketshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/inverted-commashttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/exclamation-markhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/question-markhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/bullet-pointshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuation-in-direct-speechhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuation-in-listshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuation-in-abbreviationshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abouthttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/subscriber-serviceshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/what-s-newhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/contact-ushttp://oxforddictionaries.com/help.htmlhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/how-to-subscribehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/world-of-wordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/puzzles-and-gameshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-children-and-schoolshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-learners-of-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-learners-of-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-children-and-schoolshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/puzzles-and-gameshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/world-of-wordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/world-of-wordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/how-to-subscribehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/help.htmlhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/contact-ushttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/what-s-newhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/subscriber-serviceshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abouthttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuation-in-abbreviationshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuation-in-listshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuation-in-direct-speechhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/bullet-pointshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/question-markhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/exclamation-markhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/inverted-commashttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/bracketshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/dashhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/hyphenhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/apostrophehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/colonhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/semicolonhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/commahttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/full-stophttp://www.twitter.com/OxfordWordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abbreviationshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/improve-your-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/practical-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/spellinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/grammarhttp://twitter.com/home?status=Add+This:+http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://twitter.com/home?status=Add+This:+http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuation&t=Punctuation%20-%20Oxford%20Dictionaries%20Onlinehttp://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuation&t=Punctuation%20-%20Oxford%20Dictionaries%20Onlinehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/


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Punctuation - Oxford Dictionaries Online

file:///C|/Users/sama/Desktop/Punctuation.htm[20/12/2011 14:20:03]


Apostrophe () Oxford Dictionaries Online


16/45

Apostrophe ( ) - Oxford Dictionaries Online

file:///C|/Users/sama/Desktop/Apostrophe ().htm[20/12/2011 14:20:21]

Home Better writing Punctuation Apostrophe ()

Better writing

Grammar

Spelling

Punctuation

Practical writing


Abbreviations Apostrophe ()

Are you uncertain about when to use an apostrophe? Many people have difculty with this punctuation mark. The best way to get

apostrophes right is to understand when and why they are used. There are two main cases click on the links below to nd

straightforward guidance:

Using apostrophes to show possession

Using apostrophes to show omission

People are often unsure about whether they should use its (without an apostrophe) or its (with an apostrophe). For information

about this, you can go straight to the section it's or its?

Apostrophes showing possession

You use an apostrophe to show that a thing or person belongs or relates to someone or something: instead of sayingthe party ofBen or the weather of yesterday, you can write Bens partyandyesterdays weather .

Here are the main guidelines for using apostrophes to show possession:

Singular nouns and most personal names

With a singular noun or most personal names: add an apostrophe plus s:

We met at Bens party.

The dogs tail wagged rapidly.

Yesterdays weather was dreadful.

Personal names that end in s

With personal names that end in -s: add an apostrophe plus s when you would naturally pronounce an extras if you said the word



resources




Apostrophe () Oxford Dictionaries Online
http://oxforddictionaries.com/http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/grammarhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/spellinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/practical-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/improve-your-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abbreviationshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/apostrophe#apostrophes_showing_possessionhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/apostrophe#apostrophes_showing_omissionhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/apostrophe#it_s_or_itshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abouthttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/subscriber-serviceshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/what-s-newhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/contact-ushttp://oxforddictionaries.com/help.htmlhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/how-to-subscribehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/world-of-wordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/puzzles-and-gameshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-children-and-schoolshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-learners-of-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-learners-of-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-children-and-schoolshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/puzzles-and-gameshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/world-of-wordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/world-of-wordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/how-to-subscribehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/help.htmlhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/contact-ushttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/what-s-newhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/subscriber-serviceshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abouthttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/apostrophe#it_s_or_itshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/apostrophe#apostrophes_showing_omissionhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/apostrophe#apostrophes_showing_possessionhttp://www.twitter.com/OxfordWordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abbreviationshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/improve-your-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/practical-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/spellinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/grammarhttp://twitter.com/home?status=Add+This:+http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/apostrophehttp://twitter.com/home?status=Add+This:+http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/apostrophehttp://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/apostrophe&t=Apostrophe%20%28%E2%80%99%29%20-%20Oxford%20Dictionaries%20Onlinehttp://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/apostrophe&t=Apostrophe%20%28%E2%80%99%29%20-%20Oxford%20Dictionaries%20Onlinehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/


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Apostrophe ( ) - Oxford Dictionaries Online


out loud:

He joined Charless army in 1642.

Dickens's novels provide a wonderful insight into Victorian England.

Thomas's brother was injured in the accident.

Note that there are some exceptions to this rule, especially in names of places or organizations, for example:

St Thomas Hospital

If you arent sure about how to spell a name, look it up in an ofcial place such as the organizations website.

With personal names that end in -s but are not spoken with an extras: just add an apostrophe after the -s:

The court dismissed Bridges' appeal.

Connors' nest performance was in 1991.

Plural nouns that end in s

With a plural noun that already ends in -s: add an apostrophe after the s:

The mansion was converted into a girls school.

The work is due to start in two weeks time.

My duties included cleaning out the h orses stables.

Plural nou ns that do not end in -s

With a plural noun that doesnt end in s: add an apostrophe plus s:

The childrens father came round to see me.

He employs 14 people at his mens clothing store.

The only cases in which you do no t need an apostrophe to show belonging is in the group of words called possessive pronouns -

these are the words his, hers, ours,yours, theirs (meaning belonging to him, her, us, you, or them) - and with the possessive

determiners. These are the words his, hers, its, our,your, their (meaning 'belonging to or associated with him, her, it, us, you, or

them'). See also it's or its?

Apostrophes show ing omission

An apostrophe can be used to show that letters or numbers have been omitted. Here are some examples of apostrophes that

indicate missing letters:

Im - short for I a m

hell - short for he will

shed short for she had or she would

pick n mix - short for pick and mix

its hot - short for it is hot

didnt - short for did not

It also shows that numbers have been omitted, especially in dates, e.g. the Berlin Wall came down in the autumn of 89 (short for

1989).

Apostrophe () - Oxford Dictionaries Online
http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/apostrophe#it_s_or_itshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/apostrophe#it_s_or_its


18/45

Apostrophe ( ) Oxford Dictionaries Online


Its or its?

These two words can cause a lot of confusion: many people are uncertain about whether or not to use an apostrophe. These are the

rules to remember:

its (without an apostrophe) means belonging to i t:

The dog wagged its tail.

Each case is judged on its own merits.

its (with an apostrophe) means it is or it has:

Its been a long day.

Its cold outside.

Its a comfortable car and its got some great gadgets.

Apostrophes and plural forms

The general rule is that you should no t use an apostrophe to form the plurals of nouns, abbreviations, or dates made up o f

numbers: just add -s (or -es, if the noun in question forms its plural with -es). For example:

euro euros (e.g. The cost of the trip is 570 euros.)

pizza pizzas (e.g. Traditional Italian pizzas are thin and crisp.)

apple apples (e.g. She buys big bags of organic apples and carrots.)

MP MPs (e.g. Local MPs are divided on this issue.)

1990 1990s (e.g. The situation was different in the 1990s.)

It's very important to remember this grammatical rule.

There are one or two cases in which it is acceptable to use an apostrophe to form a plural, purely for the sake of clarity:

you can use an apostrophe to show the plurals of single letters:

I've dotted the i's and crossed the t's.

Find all the p's in appear.

you can use an apostrophe to show the plurals of single numbers:

Find all the number 7s.

These are the only cases in which it is generally considered acceptable to use an apostrophe to form plurals: remember that an

apostrophe should never be used to form the plural of ordinary nouns, names, abbreviations, or numerical dates.

Apostrophe () - Oxford Dictionaries Online


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Apostrophe ( ) Oxford Dictionaries Online



Brackets ( ) [ ] - Oxford Dictionaries Online


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( ) [ ]

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Home Better writing Punctuation Brackets ( ) [ ]

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Abbreviations Brackets ( ) [ ]

There are two main types of brackets.

Round brackets

Round brackets (also called parentheses) are mainly used to separate off information that isnt essential to the meaning of the

rest of the sentence. If you removed the bracketed material the sentence would still make perfectly good sense. Fo r example:

Mount Everest (8,848 m) is the highest mountain in the world.

There are several books on the subject (see page 120).

He coined the term hypnotism (from the Greek wordhypnos meaning 'sleep') and practised it frequently.

They can also be used to enclose a comment by the person writing:

Hed clearly had too much to drink (not that I blamed him).

Square brackets

Square brackets are mainly used to enclose words added by someone other than the original writer or speaker, typically in o rder

to clarify the situation:

He [the police ofcer] cant prove they did it.

If round or square brackets are used at the end of a sentence, the full stop should be placed outside the closing bracket:

They eventually decided to settle in the United States (Debbie's home).



resources




Brackets ( ) [ ] - Oxford Dictionaries Online
http://oxforddictionaries.com/http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/grammarhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/spellinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/practical-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/improve-your-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abbreviationshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abouthttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/subscriber-serviceshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/what-s-newhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/contact-ushttp://oxforddictionaries.com/help.htmlhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/how-to-subscribehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/world-of-wordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/puzzles-and-gameshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-children-and-schoolshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-learners-of-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-learners-of-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-children-and-schoolshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/puzzles-and-gameshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/world-of-wordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/world-of-wordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/how-to-subscribehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/help.htmlhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/contact-ushttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/what-s-newhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/subscriber-serviceshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abouthttp://www.twitter.com/OxfordWordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abbreviationshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/improve-your-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/practical-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/spellinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/grammarhttp://twitter.com/home?status=Add+This:+http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/bracketshttp://twitter.com/home?status=Add+This:+http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/bracketshttp://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/brackets&t=Brackets%20%28%20%29%20[%20]%20-%20Oxford%20Dictionaries%20Onlinehttp://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/brackets&t=Brackets%20%28%20%29%20[%20]%20-%20Oxford%20Dictionaries%20Onlinehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/


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Bullet points - Oxford Dictionaries Online


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Home Better writing Punctuation Bullet points

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Abbreviations Bullet points

Bullet points are used to draw attention to important information within a document so that a reader can identify the key issues

and facts quickly. There are no xed rules about how to use them, but here are some guidelines.

1. The text introducing the list of bullet points should end with a colon.

2. If the text that follows the bullet point is not a proper sentence, it doesnt need to begin w ith a capital letter and it shouldnt

end with a full stop, for example:

Tonight's agenda includes:

annual review of ca pital gains issues

outstanding inheritance tax issues

3. If the text following the bullet point IS a complete sentence, it should begin with a capital letter. A full stop at the end is

technically required but is not absolutely essential:

The agenda for tonight is as follows:

We will conduct an annual review of capital gains issues.

The senior tax manager will talk about outstanding inheritance tax issues.

4. Lists of bullet points will have more impact if each one begins with the same word class (or part of speech) and if they are all

of a similar length. Action verbs are a good choice for the rst word, i.e. verbs that describe the performing of an action. If

you do use verbs, make sure that each one is in the same tense. Heres an example of the effective use of action verbs in a

persons CV/rsum:

Duties and responsibilities included:

teaching national curriculum to Key Stage 1 pupils

reaching attainment targets and improving learning performance



resources




Bullet points - Oxford Dictionaries Online
http://oxforddictionaries.com/http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/grammarhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/spellinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/practical-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/improve-your-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abbreviationshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abouthttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/subscriber-serviceshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/what-s-newhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/contact-ushttp://oxforddictionaries.com/help.htmlhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/how-to-subscribehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/world-of-wordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/puzzles-and-gameshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-children-and-schoolshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-learners-of-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-learners-of-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-children-and-schoolshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/puzzles-and-gameshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/world-of-wordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/world-of-wordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/how-to-subscribehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/help.htmlhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/contact-ushttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/what-s-newhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/subscriber-serviceshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abouthttp://www.twitter.com/OxfordWordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abbreviationshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/improve-your-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/practical-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/spellinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/grammarhttp://twitter.com/home?status=Add+This:+http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/bullet-pointshttp://twitter.com/home?status=Add+This:+http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/bullet-pointshttp://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/bullet-points&t=Bullet%20points%20-%20Oxford%20Dictionaries%20Onlinehttp://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/bullet-points&t=Bullet%20points%20-%20Oxford%20Dictionaries%20Onlinehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/


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developing extracurricular sports programme

5. Bullet points tend to have more impact if their text is relatively short. Make sure you use the same typeface and margin

width within each section.

Bullet points are visually attractive and make it easy for a reader to locate important information. Nevertheless, try to use them

sparingly: too many bullet-pointed sections in the same document will mean that their impact is lost.


Colon (:) - Oxford Dictionaries Online


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Home Better writing Punctuation Colon (:)

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Abbreviations Colon (:)

There are three main uses of the colon:

between two main clauses in cases where the second clause explains or follows from the rst:

That is the secret of my extraordinary life: always do the unexpected.

It wasnt easy: to begin with, I had to nd the right house.

to introduce a list:

The price includes the following: travel to London, ight to Venice, hotel accommodation, and excursions.

The job calls for skills in the following areas: proong, editing, and database administration.

before a quotation, and sometimes before direct speech:

The headline read: Taxi Driver Battles Gangsters.

They shouted: Our families are starving! We need land!



resources




Colon (:) - Oxford Dictionaries Online
http://oxforddictionaries.com/http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/grammarhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/spellinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/practical-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/improve-your-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abbreviationshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abouthttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/subscriber-serviceshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/what-s-newhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/contact-ushttp://oxforddictionaries.com/help.htmlhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/how-to-subscribehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/world-of-wordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/puzzles-and-gameshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-children-and-schoolshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-learners-of-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-learners-of-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-children-and-schoolshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/puzzles-and-gameshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/world-of-wordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/world-of-wordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/how-to-subscribehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/help.htmlhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/contact-ushttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/what-s-newhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/subscriber-serviceshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abouthttp://www.twitter.com/OxfordWordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abbreviationshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/improve-your-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/practical-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/spellinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/grammarhttp://twitter.com/home?status=Add+This:+http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/colonhttp://twitter.com/home?status=Add+This:+http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/colonhttp://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/colon&t=Colon%20%28:%29%20-%20Oxford%20Dictionaries%20Onlinehttp://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/colon&t=Colon%20%28:%29%20-%20Oxford%20Dictionaries%20Onlinehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/


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Comma (,) - Oxford Dictionaries Online


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Home Better writing Punctuation Comma (,)

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Abbreviations Comma (,)

A comma marks a slight break between different parts of a sentence. Used properly, commas make the meaning of sentences

clear by grouping and separating words, phrases, and clauses. Many people are uncertain about the use of commas, though, and

often sprinkle them throughout their writing without knowing the basic rules.

Here are the main cases when you need to use a comma:

in lists

in direct speech

to separate clauses

to mark off certain parts of a sentence

Using commas in lists

You need to put a comma between the different items in a list, as in the following sentences:

Saturday morning started with a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and French toast.

The school has a vegetable garden in which the children grow cabbages, onions, potatoes, and carrots.

The nal comma in these lists (before the word and) is known as the serial comma. Not all writers or publishers use it, but it is

used by Oxford Dictionaries some people refer to it as the Oxford comma. Using it can make your meaning clearer. Take a look

at this sentence:

My favourite sandwiches are chicken, bacon and ham and cheese.

It isnt entirely clear from this sentence whether the writer is listing three or four of their favourite sandwich llings: is ham o ne

of their favourites and cheese another, or is it ham and cheese that they like? Adding an Oxford comma makes the meaning

clear:

My favourite sandwiches are chicken, bacon, and ham and cheese.



resources




http://oxforddictionaries.com/http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/grammarhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/spellinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/practical-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/improve-your-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abbreviationshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/comma#commas_in_listshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/comma#commas_in_direct_speechhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/comma#commas_to_separate_clauseshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/comma#commas_to_mark_off_parts_of_a_sentencehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abouthttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/subscriber-serviceshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/what-s-newhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/contact-ushttp://oxforddictionaries.com/help.htmlhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/how-to-subscribehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/world-of-wordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/puzzles-and-gameshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-children-and-schoolshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-learners-of-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-learners-of-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/for-children-and-schoolshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/puzzles-and-gameshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/world-of-wordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/world-of-wordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/how-to-subscribehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/help.htmlhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/contact-ushttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/what-s-newhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/subscriber-serviceshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abouthttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/comma#commas_to_mark_off_parts_of_a_sentencehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/comma#commas_to_separate_clauseshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/comma#commas_in_direct_speechhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/comma#commas_in_listshttp://www.twitter.com/OxfordWordshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/abbreviationshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/improve-your-englishhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/practical-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/spellinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/grammarhttp://twitter.com/home?status=Add+This:+http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/commahttp://twitter.com/home?status=Add+This:+http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/commahttp://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/comma&t=Comma%20%28,%29%20-%20Oxford%20Dictionaries%20Onlinehttp://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/comma&t=Comma%20%28,%29%20-%20Oxford%20Dictionaries%20Onlinehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuationhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/better-writinghttp://oxforddictionaries.com/


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Using commas in direct speech

When a writer quotes a speakers words exactly as they were spoken, this i s known asdirect speech. If the piece of direct speech

comes after the information about who is speaking, you need to use a comma to introduce the direct speech. The comma comes

before the rst quotation mark. Note that the nal quotation mark follows the full stop at the end of the direct speech:

Steve replied, No problem.

You also need to use a comma at the end of a piece of direct speech, if the speech comes before the information about who is

speaking. In this case, the comma goes inside the quotation mark:

I dont agree, I replied.Here we are,' they said.

There are two exceptions to this rule. If a piece of direct speech takes the form of a question or an exclamation, you should end it

with a question mark or an exclamation mark, rather than a comma:

Stop him! she shouted.

Did you see that? he asked.

Direct speech is often broken up by the information about who is speaking. In these cases, you need a comma to end the rst

piece of speech (inside the quotation mark) and another comma before the second piece (before the quotation mark):

Yes, he said, and I always keep my promises.

Thinking back, she added, I didnt expect to win.

See more about Punctuation in direct speech.

Using commas to separate clauses

Commas are used to separate clausesin a complex sentence (i.e. a sentence which is made up of amain clause and one or more

subordinate clauses).

The following examples show the use of commas in two complex sentences:

Hav ing had lunch, we went back to work.

[subordinate clause] [main clause]

I rst saw her in Paris, where I lived in the early nineties.

[main clause] [subordinate clause]

If the commas were removed, these sentences wouldnt be as clear but the meaning would still be the same. There are different

types ofsubordinate clause, though, and in some types the use of commas can be very important.

A subordinate clause beginning with who, which, that, whom, or where is known as a relative clause. Take a look at this

example:

Passengers who have young children may board the aircraft rst.

[relative clause]

http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/jargon-buster#direct_speechhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/jargon-buster#direct_speechhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/jargon-buster#direct_speechhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuation-in-direct-speechhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuation-in-direct-speechhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/clauseshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/clauseshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/sentences#complex_sentencehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/clauses#main_clausehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/clauses#main_clausehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/clauses#subordinate_clausehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/clauses#subordinate_clausehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/clauses#subordinate_clausehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/clauses#relative_clausehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/clauses#relative_clausehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/clauses#relative_clausehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/clauses#subordinate_clausehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/clauses#subordinate_clausehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/clauses#main_clausehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/sentences#complex_sentencehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/clauseshttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/punctuation-in-direct-speechhttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/jargon-buster#direct_speech


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This sentence contains whats known as a restrictive relative clause. Basically, a restrictive relative clause contains information

thats essential to the meaning of the sentence as a whole. If you left it out, the sentence wouldnt make much sense. If we removed

the relative clause from the example above, then the whole point of that sentence would be lost and wed be left with the rather

puzzling statement:

Passengers may board the aircraft rst.

You should no t put commas round a restrictive relative clause.

The other type of subordinate clause beginning with who, which, whom, etc. is known as a non-restrictive relative clause. A

non-restrictive relative clause contains information that is not essential to the overall meaning of a sentence. Take a look at the

following example:

Mar y, who has two young children, has a par t- time job in the library.

[relative clause]

If you remove this clause, the meaning of the sentence isnt affected and it still makes perfect sense. All thats happened is that

weve lost a bit of extra information about Mary:

Mary has a part-time job in the library.

You need to put a comma both before and after a non-restrictive relative clause.

Using commas to mark off parts of a sentence

Commas are used to separate a part of a sentence that is an optional aside and not part of the main statement.

Gunpowder is not, of course, a chemical compound.

His latest lm, Calypso Dreams, opens next month.

In these sentences, the role of the commas is similar to their function in non-restrictive relative clauses: they mark off information

that isnt essential to the overall meaning. Using commas in this way can really help to clarify the meaning of a sentence. Take a

look at this example:

Cynthias daughter, Sarah, is a midwife.

The writers use of commas tells us that Cynthia has only one daughter. If you removed Sarahs name from the sentence, there

would still be no doubt as to who was the midwife:

Cynthias daughter is a midwife.

If you rewrite the original sentence without commas its meaning changes:

Cynthias daughter Sarah is a midwife.

The lack of commas tells us that the name Sarah is crucial to the understanding of the sentence. It shows that Cynthia h as more

than one daughter, and so the name of the one who is a midwife needs to be specied for the meaning to be clear.

If you arent sure whether youve used a pair of commas correctly, try replacing them w ith brackets or removing the informationenclosed by the commas altogether, and then see if the sentence is still understandable, or if it still conveys the meaning you

intended.

http://oxforddictionaries.com/words/clauses#non-restrictive_relative_clausehttp://oxforddictionaries.com/words/clauses#non-restrictive_relative_clause


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Dash () - Oxford Dictionaries Online


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Home Better writing Punctuation Dash ()

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Abbreviations Dash ()

A dash is used:

in pairs, to mark off information or ideas that are not essential to an understanding of the rest of the sentence:

Thousands of children like the girl in this photograph have been left homeless.

My son where has he gone? would like to meet you.

to show other kinds of break in a sentence where a comma, semicolon, or colon would be traditionally used:

One things for sure he doesnt want to face the truth.

Things have changed a lot in the last year mainly for the better.

Dashes are especially common in informal writing, such as personal emails or blogs, but its best to use them sparingly when you

are writing formally.



resources




Dash () - Oxford Dictionaries Online
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Exclamation mark (!) - Oxford Dictionaries Online


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Home Better writing Punctuation Exclamation mark (!)

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Abbreviations Exclamation mark (!)

The main use of the exclamation mark is to end sentences that express:

an exclamation:

Ow! That hurt!

Hello! How are you?

direct speech that represents something shouted or spoken very loudly:

Look up there! she yelled.

something that amuses the writer:

Included on the list of b anned items was 'crochet hooks'!

An exclamation mark can also be used in brackets after a statement to show that the writer nds it funny or ironic:

She says shes stopped feeling insecure (!) since she met him.

People tend to use a lot of exclamation marks in informal writing such as emails or text messages, but you should avoid using

them in formal writing.



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Exclamation mark (!) - Oxford Dictionaries Online
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Full stop (.) - Oxford Dictionaries Online
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Home Better writing Punctuation Full stop (.)

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Abbreviations Full stop (.)

Full stops are used:

to mark the end of a sentence that is a complete statement:

My names Beth and I was 18 in July.

After leaving school, she went to work in an insurance company.

to mark the end of a group of words that dont form a conventional sentence, so as to emphasize a statement:

I keep reliving that moment. Over and over again.

in some abbr

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