English Punctuation Basics

Quick Answer: The core English punctuation rules are: end statements with a period, end direct questions with a question mark, use commas for lists, introductory phrases and extra information, and use apostrophes only for contractions and possession. Never join two complete sentences with just a comma. There is no space before ? ! : or ; in English.

Key takeaways

• A comma alone cannot join two full sentences. Use a period, a semicolon, or a word like and, but or so.
• Indirect questions end with a period: I asked where she lived.
• Apostrophes never make plurals: three apples, the 1990s.
• Put a colon after a complete sentence, not directly after a verb: The colors are red and blue.
• US English puts periods and commas inside closing quotation marks; British English often puts them outside unless they belong to the quote.
• The Oxford comma before and in a list is optional, but be consistent.

Punctuation can change meaning. The classic example:

• Let's eat, Grandma!
• Let's eat Grandma!

One comma saves Grandma. This guide covers the punctuation marks you need most, with rules and examples.

Period (full stop)

American English says period; British English says full stop. Use it at the end of a statement.

• I live in Izmir.
• She doesn't like coffee.

Also use it in some abbreviations, especially in American English: Mr., Dr., etc. British English often writes Mr and Dr without a period.

Comma

The comma is the most used and most misused punctuation mark. Here are the main rules.

1. Lists

• I bought apples, bananas, and oranges.
• I bought apples, bananas and oranges.

The comma before and is called the Oxford comma or serial comma. It is optional, but be consistent.

2. Before and, but, or, so when joining two sentences

• I was tired, so I went to bed.
• She studied hard, but she didn't pass.

3. After an introductory word or phrase

• However, the results were good.
• The plan was cheap; however, it was slow. (however between two sentences needs a semicolon or period before it, not just a comma)
• After dinner, we watched a film.
• If it rains, we'll stay home.

When the if clause comes second, you usually do not need a comma: We'll stay home if it rains.

4. Around extra information

• My brother, who lives in Berlin, is a doctor.
• Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, is on two continents.

If the information is essential to identify the noun, do not use commas: The man who called you is my uncle. See relative clauses.

5. Addressing someone

• Thanks, Ali.
• Ayşe, can you help me?

Common comma mistake: the comma splice

• Wrong: I love London, it is a beautiful city.
• Right: I love London. It is a beautiful city.
• Right: I love London because it is a beautiful city.
• Right: I love London; it is a beautiful city.

Question mark

Use it after direct questions.

• Where do you live?
• You're coming, aren't you?

Do not use it after indirect questions:

• Wrong: I asked her where she lived?
• Right: I asked her where she lived.

Exclamation mark

Use it for strong feeling, surprise or commands. Use it rarely in formal writing, and never use several in a row.

• What a beautiful view!
• Stop!

Apostrophe

The apostrophe has two jobs.

1. Contractions

• I'm, don't, it's, they've

See our guide to English contractions.

2. Possession

Situation	Rule	Example
Singular noun	add 's	the boy's bike
Plural noun ending in s	add '	the boys' bikes
Plural noun not ending in s	add 's	the children's toys
Name ending in s	add 's or '	James's car or James' car

Never use an apostrophe for plurals

• Wrong: I bought three apple's.
• Right: I bought three apples.
• Wrong: in the 1990's (many style guides prefer 1990s)

Colon

Use a colon to introduce a list, an explanation or an example, after a complete sentence.

• You need three things: a passport, a ticket and a visa.
• I have one rule: never give up.

Do not use a colon directly after a verb:

• Wrong: The colors are: red, blue and green.
• Right: The colors are red, blue and green.

Semicolon

A semicolon joins two closely related complete sentences.

• I have a big exam tomorrow; I need to study tonight.

It can also separate items in a complicated list that already contains commas:

• We visited Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Madrid, Spain.

Quotation marks

Use them for direct speech and quotations.

Style	Example
American	She called it "perfect."
British	She called it 'perfect'.

American English uses double quotation marks and puts periods and commas inside them. British English often uses single quotation marks and puts the period outside when it is not part of the quoted words. Question marks go inside only if the quote itself is a question in both styles: He asked, "Are you ready?" Follow one style consistently.

Hyphen and dash

• Hyphen: joins words, as in well-known, twenty-one, a five-minute test.
• Dash: a longer mark (—) used for a strong pause or extra information, as in I finally found it — under the sofa. American style usually writes the dash with no spaces (it—under), while British style often uses a shorter spaced dash (it – under). In formal writing, a comma or colon is often a safer choice.

Capital letters

Punctuation and capitals go together. Use a capital letter:

• at the start of a sentence
• for names, cities and countries: Ayşe, Ankara, Turkey
• for days and months: Monday, March
• for languages and nationalities: English, Turkish
• for the pronoun I

Turkish does not capitalize days, months or nationalities as adjectives, so learners often write monday or english by mistake.

No space before punctuation

In English, do not put a space before a question mark, exclamation mark, colon, semicolon or period.

• Wrong: Are you ready ?
• Right: Are you ready?

Practice quiz

Correct the punctuation.

1. i live in istanbul, it is very big.
2. My sisters name is Elif.
3. Can you tell me where the station is?
4. We need: eggs, milk and bread.
5. However I don't agree.

Answers:

1. I live in Istanbul. It is very big.
2. My sister's name is Elif.
3. Correct as written. It is a polite question, so the question mark is right.
4. We need eggs, milk and bread.
5. However, I don't agree.

Write with confidence

Clear punctuation is essential for emails and exams. Practice with our guides to improve your English writing and business email phrases, and explore the LearnLingo grammar guides for more.

People Also Ask

What are the most important punctuation marks in English?

The period, comma, question mark and apostrophe are the most important. If you use these four correctly, your writing will be clear in most situations.

What is a comma splice?

A comma splice joins two complete sentences with only a comma, as in I was tired, I went to bed. Use a period, a semicolon, or add a word like and or so.

Do I put a space before a question mark in English?

No. In English, there is no space before a question mark, exclamation mark, colon or semicolon. This is different from French, for example.

Is the Oxford comma correct?

The Oxford comma is the comma before and in a list, as in red, white, and blue. It is optional. Many American style guides use it, while many British publications do not.

Related Reading

• English Contractions: I'm, Don't, Can't
• How to Improve Your English Writing
• English Spelling Rules
• Business Email Phrases