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Chapter 5

Overview of English Grammar: Punctuation and Mechanics

Book Version 15
By Boundless
Boundless Writing
Writing
by Boundless
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Section 1
Commas
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Introduction to Commas

The comma is a punctuation mark that indicates a slight break, pause, or transition.

Common Comma Mistakes

By understanding the rules of correct comma usage, you can avoid common comma errors.

Section 2
Colons and Semicolons
Colons

Colons are used to introduce detailed lists or phrases and to show relationships between numbers, facts, words, and lists. 

Semicolons

Semicolons are used to link related clauses and to separate clauses that contain additional punctuation.

Section 3
Apostrophes and Quotation Marks
Apostrophes

Apostrophes are used to mark contractions, possessives, and some plurals.

Quotation Marks

Quotation marks are most often used to mark direct speech or words from another author or speaker. 

Section 4
Hyphens and Dashes
Hyphens

Hyphens are often used to connect two words into a single term. 

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Em-Dashes and En-Dashes

Dashes are often used to mark interruptions within sentences, or to show the relationships between words.

Section 5
Other Punctuation
Parentheses

Parentheses can be used to interject remarks or other information into a sentence. 

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Ending Punctuation

Ending punctuation identifies the end of a sentence, and most commonly includes periods, question marks, and exclamation marks.

Section 6
General Mechanics
Common Spelling Errors

It is important to be familiar with common spelling errors to avoid them in your own writing.

Capital Letters

Capital letters are used to make certain words stand out.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

An abbreviation is the shortened form of a word or phrase.

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Numbers

Sometimes it is appropriate to write numbers as numerals; other times they should be spelled out.

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Italics

Writers use italics to emphasise certain words such as titles, scientific words, and foreign words. 

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Chapter 4
Overview of English Grammar: Parts of Speech
  • Introduction to English Grammar and Mechanics
  • Nouns
  • Pronouns
  • Verbs
  • Modifiers: Adjectives and Adverbs
and 2 more sections...
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Chapter 5
Overview of English Grammar: Punctuation and Mechanics
  • Commas
  • Colons and Semicolons
  • Apostrophes and Quotation Marks
  • Hyphens and Dashes
  • Other Punctuation
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