Reasons Why You Should Care About Punctuation
Punctuation marks serve to teach you how to write and use correct grammar. They also provide a clearer meaning of what you are trying to say. Learn the difference between using these punctuation marks: quotation marks, apostrophes, hyphens, commas, periods, italics and question marks.
Punctuation Marks Make Writing Easier to Read
Punctuation marks are an important part of writing. They make it easier to read and understand what is being said. Without punctuation, writing can be confusing and difficult to follow.
There are many different types of punctuation marks. The most common are the period, comma, question mark, and exclamation point. Each has a different function and purpose.
The period is used to end a sentence. It signals to the reader that they have reached the end of the thought or idea.
The question mark is used when asking a question. It lets the reader know that they should be prepared for an answer.
The exclamation point is used for emphasis or to show excitement. It can be used sparingly so as not to lose its impact.
Punctuation marks help to make writing clearer and easier to read. They can also add emotion or emphasis to a sentence. When used correctly, they can make a big difference in how your writing is received by your readers.
Punctuation Marks Determine Sentence Structure
Punctuation marks are the symbols we use in written language to separate sentences and parts of sentences, as well as to make meaning clearer. They can be divided into two main categories:
-Structural punctuation marks, which include commas, periods, question marks, and exclamation points; and
-Functional punctuation marks, which include quotation marks, apostrophes, colons, and semicolons.
Each type of punctuation mark serves a different purpose, and it’s important to use them correctly in order to communicate effectively. Here are a few reasons why you should care about punctuation:
Punctuation Marks Help Determine Sentence Structure
The way a sentence is structured can change its meaning entirely. For example, consider the following two sentences:
“I’m going to the store.” vs. “I’m going, to the store.”
In the first sentence, it sounds like the person is leaving right now to go to the store. In the second sentence, it sounds like they’re planning to go at some point in the future. The difference is just one comma! This goes to show how important it is to use punctuation marks correctly in order to avoid ambiguity.
Punctuation Marks Can Change the Tone of a Sentence
The tone of a sentence is its emotional quality – whether it’s happy or sad, angry or friendly, etc. Punctuation marks can have a big impact on the tone of a sentence. For example, compare these two examples:
“I love spending time with you!” vs. “I love spending time with you.”
The first sentence sounds enthusiastic and affectionate, while the second sentence sounds more subdued and matter-of-fact. Again, the difference is just one exclamation point, but it makes a big difference in the overall tone of the sentence.
Punctuation Marks Make Writing Easier to Read
Punctuation marks help to break up text and make it easier to read. They also clue the reader in on when to pause, which can be important for understanding complex ideas. Consider this example:
“The cat slept through the storm, undisturbed by the wind and rain.”
In this sentence, the comma indicates that there is a slight pause after “The cat slept through the storm.” This pause helps to emphasize the fact that the cat was undisturbed by the storm, which is the main point of the sentence. If there were no punctuation mark here, the sentence would be much harder to read and understand.
Punctuation Marks Determine Meaning
Punctuation marks are often overlooked as unimportant grammatical elements, but they can actually have a significant impact on the meaning of a sentence. This is because punctuation marks serve as visual cues that help readers understand how a sentence should be read.
I love dogs.
I, love dogs.
I, love dogs.
The first sentence is a declarative statement about the speaker’s feelings for dogs in general. The second sentence, however, could be read two ways: either as an emphatic declaration of love for dogs or as a statement about the speaker loving some specific dogs. The difference in meaning is entirely due to the use of a comma.
This example shows why it’s important to be aware of how punctuation can affect the meaning of what you’re writing. When you’re communicating online, it’s especially easy for your intended meaning to get lost in translation – so take care to use punctuation marks correctly!
Punctuation Marks Determine Tense and Voice
Punctuation marks are often overlooked as being unimportant in the grand scheme of things. However, they actually play a very important role in determining tense and voice.
Without proper punctuation, sentences can become jumbled and confusing. For example, take the following sentence: “I am eating breakfast.” This simple sentence is in the present tense. However, if we were to remove the period and add a comma, the sentence would then be in the future tense: “I am eating breakfast,” she said.
Punctuation also helps to determine whether a sentence is spoken in first person, second person, or third person. For example, the following sentence is spoken in first person: “I am going to the store.” However, if we were to remove the period and add a question mark, it would then be spoken in second person: “Are you going to the store?”
proper punctuation is essential for clear and concise communication. Without it, sentences can become muddled and difficult to understand. So next time you’re writing something, take a few extra moments to make sure your punctuation is on point!
Punctuation Marks Help Commas Separate Clauses
As a general rule, commas are used to separate clauses. The main clause is the independent clause, which can stand alone as a sentence, and the subordinate clause is the dependent clause, which cannot.
Here are some examples:
The boy kicked the ball. (One clause; no comma needed)
The boy who was wearing a red shirt kicked the ball. (Two clauses; the comma helps to separate them)
When the boy kicked the ball, it went into the net. (Two clauses; the comma helps to show that the subordinate clause comes first)
If you want to join two independent clauses together, you can use a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction (for example: and, but, or, nor, yet, so):
Thank you for Reading!
This was written by me. Bryce Purnell, founder of Learn Laugh Speak.
Check out more on my Medium or send me an email if you’re ever curious about anything at all
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