Punctuation Marks
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.

Related Reference Pages, Activities and Worksheets to Print:

. , ? ! ; Punctuation Marks Punctuation marks are symbols that are used in sentences and phrases to make the meaning clearer. Some punctuation marks are the period (.), comma (,), question mark (?), exclamation point (!), colon (:) and semicolon(;).	. , ? ! ' ; : Punctuation Marks and other Commonly-Used Symbols: Little Explorers Picture Dictionary A page of punctuation marks and other common symbols from the Little Explorers Picture Dictionary in English.	Punctuation Marks Word Wheel Make a wheel about punctuation marks using this 2-page print-out; it consists of a base page together with a wheel that spins around. When you spin the wheel, punctuation marks appear together with a definition. The punctuation marks are: period, comma, question mark, hyphen, dash, parentheses, apostrophe, ellipsis, quotation mark, colon, semicolon, exclamation point. The student then writes down the punctuation marks and an example for each.	Punctuation Marks Tiny Picture Dictionary A short, printable picture dictionary of punctuation marks -- for early readers. The student cuts out the pages, staples them together, then writes each word in the tiny book. The words are: apostrophe, colon, comma, ellipsis, exclamation point, hyphen, parentheses, period, question mark, quotation mark, semicolon.
Punctuation Marks Cut-and-Paste Picture Dictionary A short, printable picture dictionary of punctuation marks -- for early readers. The words are: apostrophe, colon, comma, ellipsis, exclamation point, hyphen, parentheses, period, question mark, quotation mark, semicolon.	Punctuate the End of Sentences: Printable Worksheet #1 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. Or go to the answers. Or go to a pdf of the worksheet and answers (subscribers only).	Punctuate the End of Sentences: Printable Worksheet #2 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. Or go to the answers. Or go to a pdf of the worksheet and answers (subscribers only).	Punctuate the End of Sentences: Printable Worksheet #3 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. Or go to the answers. Or go to a pdf of the worksheet and answers (subscribers only).
Punctuate the Sentences: Worksheet #1 Add punctuation marks to the simple sentences in this worksheets. The punctuation marks to be added are: period, question mark, comma, apostrophe, and exclamation point. Or go to the answers.	Punctuate the Sentences: Worksheet #2 Add punctuation marks to the simple sentences in this worksheets. The punctuation marks to be added are: period, question mark, comma, and apostrophe. Or go to the answers.	Capitalize and Punctuate the Sentences: Worksheet #1 Re-write the sentences, correcting the capitalization and adding punctuation marks. The punctuation marks to be added are: period, question mark, comma, and apostrophe. Or go to the answers.	Capitalize and Punctuate the Sentences: Worksheet #2 Re-write the sentences, correcting the capitalization and adding punctuation marks. The punctuation marks to be added are: period, question mark, comma, and apostrophe. Or go to the answers.
Capitalize and Punctuate the Sentences: Worksheet #3 Re-write the sentences, correcting the capitalization and adding punctuation marks. The punctuation marks to be added are: period, question mark, comma, and apostrophe. Or go to the answers.	Match Punctuation Symbol Words and Pictures Match 10 punctuation symbol words to their pictures. The words are: comma, period, exclamation point, quotation mark, question mark, apostrophe, colon, semicolon, parentheses, hyphen. Or go to the answers.	Write Eight Punctuation Marks Write the name of and symbol for eight punctuation marks. Sample answers: period ., comma ,, question mark ?, exclamation point !, hyphen -, apostrophe', quotation mark" colon:.	Unscramble Punctuation Mark Words Unscramble the school words, and then color the picture of the words. The words are comma, period, question mark, exclamation point, quotation mark, hyphen, apostrophe, parentheses, colon, semicolon.
Missing Letters in Punctuation Marks Words Find the missing letters in punctuation mark words, and then color the picture of the word. The words are comma, period, exclamation point, quotation mark, question mark, apostrophe, colon, semicolon, parentheses, hyphen.	Match Spanish Punctuation Marks Words and Pictures Match 10 Spanish punctuation marks to their pictures. The words are: punto/period, coma/comma, signo de admiración/exclamation point, signo de interrogación/question mark, apóstrofo/apostrophe, comillas/quotation marks, guión/hyphen, paréntesis/parenthesis, dos puntos/colon, punto y coma/semicolon. Or go to the answers.	Label 10 Punctuation Marks Label the pictures of 10 punctuation marks on this worksheet. The words are: comma, period, exclamation point, quotation mark, question mark, apostrophe, colon, semicolon, parentheses, hyphen. Go to the answers.	I'll (I will) Contractions A contraction is a shortened form of one or two words (usually verbs). Some contractions are: I'm (I am), can't (cannot), how's (how is), and Ma'am (Madam).
Correct the Date: A Calendar Worksheet Correct the punctuation and capitalization of dates. For example, "monday january 16 1956" should be written "Monday, January 16, 1956". Or go to a pdf of the worksheet (subscribers only).

Punctuation Marks and other Common Symbols in Picture Dictionary Format:

* Symbols in English A picture dictionary page about words for symbols in English.

< Symbols in French A picture dictionary page about words for symbols in French.

@ Symbols in German A picture dictionary page about words for symbols in German.

? Symbols in Italian A picture dictionary page about words for symbols in Italian.

; Symbols in Spanish A picture dictionary page about words for symbols in Spanish.