PunctuationPunctuation

By By

Muhammad Asif NadeemMuhammad Asif Nadeem

Course InstructorCourse Instructor

Course: Principles of Language acquisition Course: Principles of Language acquisition

Introduction Introduction Punctuation Punctuation is derived from Latin word is derived from Latin word Punctum Punctum

which means to speak with pause. which means to speak with pause. Importance of Punctuation in daily life is quite Importance of Punctuation in daily life is quite

important as it conveys what we want to say!important as it conveys what we want to say!

I detest liars I detest liars like youlike you, I believe that honesty is the , I believe that honesty is the best policy. best policy.

I detest liarsI detest liars; ; like you, I believe that honesty is the like you, I believe that honesty is the best policy.best policy.

Capital letterCapital letter A, BA, B PeriodPeriod .. CommaComma ,, Semi ColonSemi Colon ;; ColonColon :: ParenthesisParenthesis ( )( ) HyphenHyphen -- QuotesQuotes “ “

““ Question MarksQuestion Marks ?? ApostropheApostrophe ‘‘ DashDash __ ExclamationExclamation !! Square BracketSquare Bracket[ ][ ] Slash/ obliqueSlash/ oblique // ItalicsItalics II Dots/ ellipsesDots/ ellipses ……

Capital lettersCapital letters Beginning of New sentence. Beginning of New sentence.

Example: Do not believe in thinking, believe in doing.Example: Do not believe in thinking, believe in doing. Each fresh line of poetry. e.g. Each fresh line of poetry. e.g.

Example: Example:

OOn Linden, when the sun was low,n Linden, when the sun was low,

AAll bloodless lay the un- trodden snowll bloodless lay the un- trodden snow

AAnd dark as winter was the flownd dark as winter was the flow

OOf Iser, rolling rapidly.f Iser, rolling rapidly.

All proper nouns and the adjectives that are derived All proper nouns and the adjectives that are derived from them. from them.

Example: Bahawalpur, Iqbal, Pakistan, Punjab, Example: Bahawalpur, Iqbal, Pakistan, Punjab, Ramadan, Pakistani, PunjabiRamadan, Pakistani, Punjabi

All the nouns and pronouns that denote God. All the nouns and pronouns that denote God. Example: Example: It is the God, Lord of all the elements, Who holds all It is the God, Lord of all the elements, Who holds all

things in His right hand.things in His right hand. The pronoun “I” when it is used single and with the The pronoun “I” when it is used single and with the

interjection “O”interjection “O”Example: Example: When the bell rang I was crossing road and O, that sad When the bell rang I was crossing road and O, that sad

event took place.event took place.

Full stop or PeriodFull stop or Period

It is used with.It is used with. A declarative or an imperative sentence.A declarative or an imperative sentence.Example Declarative SentenceExample Declarative Sentence

His name is Tahir.His name is Tahir.Example Imperative Sentence Example Imperative Sentence The officer orders the soldiers to attack. The officer orders the soldiers to attack. Abbreviations but in modern style they are omitted mostly.Abbreviations but in modern style they are omitted mostly.ExampleExample

M.A or MA, U.N.O or M.P, Mr or MrM.A or MA, U.N.O or M.P, Mr or Mr In internet and email addresses it is said (dot)In internet and email addresses it is said (dot)ExampleExample

http://www.edu.comhttp://www.edu.com

Abbreviations but in modern style they are omitted Abbreviations but in modern style they are omitted mostly.mostly.

ExampleExample

M.A or MA, U.N.O or M.P, Mr or MrM.A or MA, U.N.O or M.P, Mr or Mr In internet and email addresses it is said (dot)In internet and email addresses it is said (dot)

ExampleExample

http://www.edu.comhttp://www.edu.com

CommaComma

Separate words belonging to same category that is Separate words belonging to same category that is noun, pronoun, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, clauses.noun, pronoun, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, clauses.

Example for NounsExample for Nouns

Pakistan, Sri lanka and China have good working Pakistan, Sri lanka and China have good working relations relations

Example for pronounsExample for pronouns You, he and I are the best friendsYou, he and I are the best friends

Example for Example for adjectivesadjectives

Her beauty, soberness, aquiline features and charm Her beauty, soberness, aquiline features and charm makes her innocent.makes her innocent.

Example for Example for adverbsadverbs

He read his lessons neatly, sharply, exquisitely and He read his lessons neatly, sharply, exquisitely and precisely right. precisely right.

Example for Example for verbsverbs

They decorated, furnished and built their house very They decorated, furnished and built their house very well.well.

Example for Example for ClausesClauses

The Indus runs smoothly, glides frequently, moves The Indus runs smoothly, glides frequently, moves vehemently and falls roaring.vehemently and falls roaring.

It separates pair of words that are connected with and. It separates pair of words that are connected with and. ExampleExampleYou must be precise and short, complete and elaborative in You must be precise and short, complete and elaborative in

your communication.your communication. Use comma when you pronounce or call somebody.Use comma when you pronounce or call somebody.Example Example Shakespeare, the greatest dramatist of England wrote many Shakespeare, the greatest dramatist of England wrote many

famous plays.famous plays. While addressing people While addressing people Example Example Boys, Lord of the Universe is the protector of all of us.Boys, Lord of the Universe is the protector of all of us. Before and after Participial phrase.Before and after Participial phrase.Example Example Alexander, having conquered the world, returned to Greece.Alexander, having conquered the world, returned to Greece. When a word is omitted then comma is used.When a word is omitted then comma is used.

Before and after Participial phrase.Before and after Participial phrase.

Example Example

Alexander, having conquered the world, returned to Alexander, having conquered the world, returned to Greece.Greece.

When a word is omitted then comma is used.When a word is omitted then comma is used.

Example Example

He worked a lot all the night; he, a hard worker did He worked a lot all the night; he, a hard worker did not get reward.not get reward.

For tag questions comma is used between themFor tag questions comma is used between them

Example Example

Mr. Shahzad, bring me a glass of water, Will YouMr. Shahzad, bring me a glass of water, Will You

Interjections like 'please', 'thank you', 'yes', and 'no' Interjections like 'please', 'thank you', 'yes', and 'no' require Comma.require Comma.

Example Example Yes, I called him for removal of some Yes, I called him for removal of some

misunderstanding. misunderstanding. Co-coordinative conjunctions require comma before Co-coordinative conjunctions require comma before

them. them. Example Example I think we must resolve the matter, but amicably.I think we must resolve the matter, but amicably. Comma is used with the direct speech.Comma is used with the direct speech.ExampleExampleHe said to the teacher, “I will learn the lesson He said to the teacher, “I will learn the lesson

tomorrow.”tomorrow.”

Comma is used to separate main clause, especially Comma is used to separate main clause, especially long ones linked by a conjunction such as and, as, long ones linked by a conjunction such as and, as, but, for, or.but, for, or.

ExampleExample

Students had been waiting to meet their parents, but Students had been waiting to meet their parents, but they had to wait till the end of semester.they had to wait till the end of semester.

To separate a tag question from the rest.To separate a tag question from the rest.

ExampleExample

It’s been long time since we met, isn’t it?It’s been long time since we met, isn’t it?

Avoid CommaAvoid Comma Do not use comma:Do not use comma: To separate the subject from its predicateTo separate the subject from its predicate

Example Example

Getting registration in our institute, shall pay you regard and Getting registration in our institute, shall pay you regard and reward. reward. (Wrong)(Wrong)

Getting registration in our institute shall pay you regard and Getting registration in our institute shall pay you regard and reward. reward. (Right)(Right)

To separate a verb from its objective or a preposition from To separate a verb from its objective or a preposition from its object. its object.

ExampleExample She traveled around the world with, a small She traveled around the world with, a small backpack, a pup tent and a camera. backpack, a pup tent and a camera. (Wrong)(Wrong)

She travelled around the world with a small backpack, a pup She travelled around the world with a small backpack, a pup tent and a camera. tent and a camera. (Right)(Right)

Comma must be used before a co-coordinating Comma must be used before a co-coordinating conjunction not after.conjunction not after.

ExampleExample

Think about the matters but, not in a way to Think about the matters but, not in a way to misinterpret them. misinterpret them. (Wrong)(Wrong)

Think about the matters but not in a way to Think about the matters but not in a way to misinterpret them. misinterpret them. (Right)(Right)

When adverbial clause follows the principal clause. When adverbial clause follows the principal clause.

ExampleExample

Seek to please, if thou would’st be happy. Seek to please, if thou would’st be happy. (Wrong)(Wrong)

Seek to please if thou would’st be happySeek to please if thou would’st be happy. (Right). (Right)

The SemicolonThe Semicolon

For the separation of the clauses of compound For the separation of the clauses of compound sentences.sentences.

ExampleExample

Quaid was a brave, large hearted leader; and we all Quaid was a brave, large hearted leader; and we all honor hum.honor hum.

To separate the phrases that do not have relationship To separate the phrases that do not have relationship and that are opposite to each otherand that are opposite to each other

ExampleExample

Man proposes; God disposes.Man proposes; God disposes.

A sentence that already contains comma.A sentence that already contains comma.

ExampleExample

My faith in me determined to success whatever the My faith in me determined to success whatever the consequences may be; I would achieve my aim, consequences may be; I would achieve my aim, whoever may suffer in this regard.whoever may suffer in this regard.

ColonColon

To introduce a quotation.To introduce a quotation.

ExampleExample

Bacon says: __ “Reading maketh a full man”Bacon says: __ “Reading maketh a full man” Before list of things.Before list of things.

ExampleExample

The nominees of this award are: Umar, Saood and Faisal.The nominees of this award are: Umar, Saood and Faisal. Between those sentences that are grammatically different Between those sentences that are grammatically different

but closely connected.but closely connected.

ExampleExample

Habit making in study achieves thinking level: it is not Habit making in study achieves thinking level: it is not important in study.important in study.

ParenthesisParenthesis

It takes the sentence that does not belong to the main clause.It takes the sentence that does not belong to the main clause.

ExampleExample

I got (from heavens) what all I wished for this life.I got (from heavens) what all I wished for this life. The abbreviations are enclosed if they are about some name The abbreviations are enclosed if they are about some name

ExampleExample

Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) is the last prophet of God.Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) is the last prophet of God. In literature it is mostly used to describe the activity of the In literature it is mostly used to describe the activity of the

drama or novel.drama or novel.

ExampleExample

I think there is some craft in his madness. (Aside)I think there is some craft in his madness. (Aside)

Square Brackets/ BracketsSquare Brackets/ Brackets

Around words inserted to make a quotation Around words inserted to make a quotation grammatically.grammatically.

ExampleExample

Pakistan in [these] days, is under sever threat of Pakistan in [these] days, is under sever threat of terrorism. terrorism.

HyphenHyphen

Connect the part of a compound wordConnect the part of a compound word

ExampleExample

Co-operation, Jac-of-all-trades.Co-operation, Jac-of-all-trades. It is used to connect the spellings of the word left on It is used to connect the spellings of the word left on

the previous line.the previous line.

ExampleExample

It is the fate that all the Muslim shall live in the It is the fate that all the Muslim shall live in the blessings of God, and leave all the friv-volities of blessings of God, and leave all the friv-volities of this world with a view to find redemption at the day this world with a view to find redemption at the day of Judgment .of Judgment .

The QuotesThe Quotes

Quotes are two inverted commas that indicate that Quotes are two inverted commas that indicate that words are exactly quoted by the speaker and there is words are exactly quoted by the speaker and there is no change in these words by the describer. no change in these words by the describer.

ExampleExample

Aslam said to Akram, “our president is a man of Aslam said to Akram, “our president is a man of Principle.”Principle.”

The Question MarkThe Question Mark

It tells that the sentence is interrogative. It is used It tells that the sentence is interrogative. It is used with:with:

Direct question and it replaces full stop.Direct question and it replaces full stop.

ExampleExample

Did you see my pen?Did you see my pen? It is not used with the indirect questionIt is not used with the indirect question

ExampleExample

How it is that you made such a great success and that How it is that you made such a great success and that too in a very short time.too in a very short time.

ApostropheApostrophe

It is used when:It is used when: Letter is omitted Letter is omitted

ExampleExample

We write don’t instead of do not and doesn’t instead of does We write don’t instead of do not and doesn’t instead of does not.not.

Belonging of someone is shown.Belonging of someone is shown.

ExampleExample

It is Aslam’s book.It is Aslam’s book. Plural of letters and figures are formed.Plural of letters and figures are formed.

ExampleExample

Add two 5’s and four 2’s.Add two 5’s and four 2’s.

The Dash:The Dash: Dash is a bigger line than the hyphen and differs in Dash is a bigger line than the hyphen and differs in

its use also as it is used to:its use also as it is used to: To indicate an abrupt change in the sentence.To indicate an abrupt change in the sentence.

ExampleExample

Would that I had died instead of my father__ Would that I had died instead of my father__ lamentation is useless now.lamentation is useless now.

To collect the scattered statement To collect the scattered statement

ExampleExample

All is lost __my kingdom, my queen and my children.All is lost __my kingdom, my queen and my children.

The Exclamation MarkThe Exclamation Mark It is used with the words that show some sudden It is used with the words that show some sudden

emotion or wish as emotion or wish as

ExampleExample

Alas! Oh dear! What a terrible scene it is! O! Bravo! Alas! Oh dear! What a terrible scene it is! O! Bravo! Long live King!Long live King!

Keep one major thing in mind, use this sign either Keep one major thing in mind, use this sign either right after the expression or at the end of the right after the expression or at the end of the sentence.sentence.

Slash/ oblique:Slash/ oblique:

To weperate words that have alternates.To weperate words that have alternates.

ExampleExample

Would you like to have tea and/ or biscuits.Would you like to have tea and/ or biscuits. In internet or email addresses.In internet or email addresses.

ExampleExample

My email address is http:\\www.edu.pk.My email address is http:\\www.edu.pk.

Italics:Italics:

To show emphasis.To show emphasis.

ExampleExample

This is not my jurisdiction perhaps_ This is not my jurisdiction perhaps_ yoursyours.. To indicate the titles of books, plays etc.To indicate the titles of books, plays etc.

ExampleExample

M.A Adeeb’s M.A Adeeb’s I wish to be a researcherI wish to be a researcher.. For foreign words or phrases.For foreign words or phrases.

ExampleExample

Water Water (aqua)(aqua) is necessary for all of us. is necessary for all of us.

Dots / ellipsis:Dots / ellipsis:

To indicate that the words have been omitted .To indicate that the words have been omitted . ExampleExample It is national pride ... proven fact….Pakistan is a It is national pride ... proven fact….Pakistan is a

great country.great country.