Advice and Articles tagged with punctuation

Are You Confused by Hyphenation?

Are hyphens causing havoc in your humanities papers? Have dashes destroyed your dissertation? Don't let punctuation puzzle you any longer; We are here to help. Continued...

Beginners Guide to Punctuation Podcast

Punctuation marks may not seem important, but they are. Without correct usage of punctuation, the meaning of a sentence can be lost. This podcast will highlight the basic rules of English language punctuation. Continued...

Full Stops: A How-To Guide

If you’re North American, you may be wondering what exactly full stops are—here’s a hint, there is one at the end of this sentence. This is the main function of full stops, or periods: marking the end of a sentence. Continued...

Full Stops: A How-To Guide Podcast

There are multiple forms of full stops or symbols used to signal the end of a sentence, each used under different circumstances. When to use a full stop and the proper form to use are discussed in this podcast. Continued...

Homophone Worksheet: Think You Understand Homophones?

In our article on homophones, we discussed what they are and helped explain the differences between them. Now, it's time for you to try our homophone worksheet to test your homophone knowledge! Continued...

How to Use Apostrophes

The apostrophe may be the most abused punctuation mark in the English language so let's examine some of the rules that dictate when apostrophes are used and where they should be placed in a word. Continued...

How to Use Apostrophes Correctly Podcast

The apostrophe is an overlooked part of punctuation that is often misused or ignored completely. This podcast tells you how to use apostrophes correctly, whether you are trying to show possession (e.g., Fred's car) or indicate the omission of a letter (e.g., it's). Continued...

How to Use Brackets (Parentheses) Properly

Writers, have you ever found yourselves with a great deal of important information that you want to include in a sentence, but have difficulty finding a spot for all of it? Fitting everything into a sentence can be tricky—this is where brackets are useful. Brackets (parentheses) are punctuation marks used to include information within sentences that is not essential to the main point. Continued...

How to Use Quotation Marks

If you thought the first article about quotation marks was a non-stop ride of grammatical thrills and chills, hold on to your hats because part two features even more explosions of grammatical greatness! And now, without further ado, we are proud to present Quotations Marks: How to Use Quotation Marks. Continued...

How to Use Those Brackets (Parentheses!) Properly

If you know how to properly use brackets, you have the ability to fit more information in a sentence without appearing cluttered or hard to follow. This podcast highlights how to use four different types of brackets in both formal and informal writing. Continued...

Hyphenation Podcast: Are You Confused by Hyphenation?

Punctuation marks can be confusing, and the hyphen is no exception. In this podcast, the Scribendi.com editors explain what the hyphen is and how to use it in different circumstances. Continued...

Punctuation Marks

In “Understanding Punctuation,” we covered some of the most common punctuation marks used in English writing. Now, let’s look at a few more punctuation marks in further detail. Continued...

Quotation Marks Podcast: How to Format Quotation Marks

There is actually a lot to consider when using quotation marks, including when to use single or double quotation marks and how to format a quote within a quote. These questions, among others, are answered in this podcast. Continued...

Quotation Marks Podcast: When to Use Double or Single Quotation Marks

If you need some clarification on whether to use single or double quotation marks, this podcast is for you. Knowing the appropriate way to use these quotation marks is critical for clearly articulating what you want to say. Continued...

Quotation Marks: How to Format Quotation Marks

Who knew formatting quotation marks was so complicated? In order to help you navigate their subtle nuances and unpredictability, Scribendi.com has compiled a list of rules to help you properly format quotation marks. Continued...

Quotation Marks: When to Use Double or Single Quotation Marks

Quotation marks are often confusing to ESL writers unfamiliar with English grammar and punctuation rules. When to use double or single quotation marks is even trickier. However, there's no need to be embarrassed—these upside down commas sometimes confuse even the most seasoned English writers! Continued...

Stumped by Exclamation Marks?

The exclamation mark is arguably one of the most controversial pieces of English punctuation. Some writers love them; others hate them. The editors at Scribendi.com offer advice on when to use exclamation marks and when to avoid using them. Continued...