Frequently Used Punctuation

Punctuation is common, because we use, write, it most days. There are a few times when no one cares how you punctuate. Most occasions in life, business, writing, will require correct punctuation.

Let's discuss frequently used punctuation.

Adjectives

Adjectives change the meaning of pronouns (used in place of a noun) and nouns (person, place, thing or idea).

The noun man is changed by sitting an adjective next to it.

The big man fell.

A loud man slurred his speech.

The bloated man was found.

One foolish man eases into every crowd.

An added word better describes the man.

Adverbs

Adverbs will give a different meaning to verbs (action words), other adverbs and adjectives.

Most words ending in ly is an adverb. Use adverbs as a last choice when writing fiction or non-fiction. Replace an adverb with a verb in order to expose strong images.

Tom left suddenly.

Provide readers with clear images like: Tom bolted, Tom dashed, Tom scurried or Tom scooted.

Question Mark

Question marks are placed after direct questions.

Who are you?

What do you want?

Do you work?

Exclamation Points

Exclamation points shows emotion, surprise.

Hurry!

The house is beautiful!

The party is in two hours!

Comma

A comma is an indication to slow down, new words are on the way.

Tom, Mrs. Cook and Mr. Cook had a cane to fist-fight."Tom, where is Mr. Cook?"

A comma will set a series apart.

The colors to pick are pink, blue, plum and red.

A comma is used before dialogue.

Tom turned around to say, "Throw Mr. Cook out!"

When a person is named after a pronoun or being spoken to, commas are used.

"Tom, where is Mr. Cook?"

"Listen here Mrs. Cook, don't know, don't care.

Period

Stop a sentence that makes a statement, or asks an indirect question with a period.

Mr. Cook refused to curb his trash, and asked Tom to leave him alone about it.

Periods are used to abbreviate.

Mrs. Cook

Ave.

Phila.

Etc.

Sat.

Approx.

In closing, frequently used punctuation rules swirls your writing into interesting and exciting reading.