ESL Vocabulary for Punctuation
The following page has learning games and example sentences using the following 12 words from the "punctuation" category:Let's Do The Test!
Example Sentences
brackets
pairs of punctuation marks used to enclose or set off words, phrases, or sentences
Easy Examples
- Brackets are used to add extra information in a sentence.
- Brackets look like this: [].
- You can use brackets to clarify what you're saying.
Harder Examples
- She used square brackets to indicate editorial changes in the quoted text.
- He added brackets to clarify the meaning of the sentence for the reader.
- They enclosed the author's name in brackets when citing the source in their paper.
colon
a punctuation mark (:) used to introduce a list, explanation, or quotation
Easy Examples
- A colon is used to introduce something important.
- A colon looks like two dots: :.
- Use a colon before a list or an explanation.
Harder Examples
- She used a colon to introduce the main points of her presentation.
- He placed a colon before the dialogue in the screenplay to indicate speech.
- They employed a colon to separate the hours and minutes in the time notation.
comma
a punctuation mark (,) used to separate items in a list and to indicate pauses in a sentence
Easy Examples
- A comma helps separate words in a list.
- A comma looks like a small curve: ,.
- Remember to use commas correctly in your writing.
Harder Examples
- She included a comma after each item in the grocery list.
- He used a comma to set off introductory phrases in his writing.
- They inserted a comma to create a pause for emphasis in the sentence.
dash
a punctuation mark (-) used to indicate a sudden break or interruption in a sentence
Easy Examples
- A dash can be used to show a pause in a sentence.
- A dash looks like a longer line: —.
- Dashes can make your writing more interesting.
Harder Examples
- She employed a dash to add emphasis to the final word of her sentence—determination.
- He used an en dash to show a range of numbers, such as 5–10.
- They favored the use of dashes for creating a sense of drama in their storytelling.
exclamation mark
a punctuation mark (!) used to express strong emotion, surprise, or emphasis
Easy Examples
- An exclamation mark shows strong feelings like excitement!
- An exclamation mark looks like a tall dot with a line: !.
- Use it when you want to show surprise or happiness.
Harder Examples
- She exclaimed with an exclamation mark to convey her excitement!
- He used an exclamation mark to emphasize the urgency of the message!
- They added an exclamation mark to their statement to make it more emphatic!
hyphen
a punctuation mark (-) used to join words or parts of words, especially in compound words
Easy Examples
- A hyphen joins words together like well-known.
- A hyphen looks like a small line: -.
- Hyphens help make new words or join words.
Harder Examples
- She connected two words with a hyphen to form a compound adjective.
- He hyphenated the last name to ensure proper pronunciation.
- They used a hyphen to join the prefix and the root word in the compound.
period
a punctuation mark (.) used to indicate the end of a sentence or as an abbreviation
Easy Examples
- A period ends a sentence.
- A period is a small dot: .
- Use a period at the end of statements or sentences.
Harder Examples
- She placed a period at the end of her final sentence in the essay.
- He used a period after each initial in his abbreviated name (J. K. Rowling).
- They followed each step of the recipe, including the periods for measurements.
question mark
a punctuation mark (?) used to indicate a question or inquiry
Easy Examples
- A question mark shows that you're asking a question?
- A question mark looks like a curve with a dot: ?.
- Put it at the end of sentences when you have a question.
Harder Examples
- She ended her sentence with a question mark to ask for clarification.
- He used a question mark to prompt readers to think about the topic.
- They raised a question mark about the accuracy of the data in the report.
semicolon
a punctuation mark (;) used to connect closely related independent clauses
Easy Examples
- A semicolon can connect two related ideas;
- A semicolon looks like a dot with a small comma: ;.
- It's used to link similar sentences together.
Harder Examples
- She used a semicolon to join two independent clauses in a single sentence.
- He employed semicolons to separate items in a complex list.
- They understood the appropriate use of semicolons for connecting related thoughts.
speech marks
quotation marks (' ' or " ") used to enclose spoken words or direct quotations
Easy Examples
- Speech marks show when someone is speaking.
- Speech marks look like small curves: '' or "".
- Use them to show dialogue or quotes.
Harder Examples
- She placed speech marks around the character's dialogue in the novel.
- He used double quotation marks to indicate a direct quote from the article.
- They employed single quotation marks for quoting within a quoted passage.
square brackets
pairs of brackets used to enclose additional information or editorial comments within quoted text
Easy Examples
- Square brackets are used to add extra details.
- Square brackets look like this: [].
- They help explain or provide more information.
Harder Examples
- She added square brackets to clarify the antecedent in the quoted sentence.
- He used square brackets to insert explanatory notes in the citation.
- They included square brackets to indicate an ellipsis within a quoted paragraph.
apostrophe
a punctuation mark (') used to indicate possession or to show the omission of letters or numbers
Easy Examples
- An apostrophe shows ownership or missing letters.
- An apostrophe looks like a small curve or a comma: ' or '.
- Use it in contractions like 'I'm' or to show 'Sarah's book'.
Harder Examples
- She used an apostrophe to show the possessive form of the noun (dog's bone).
- He contracted "it is" into "it's" using an apostrophe.
- They inserted an apostrophe to indicate the omission of letters in "can't."
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