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If you are asking “what symbol is this?”, you are usually trying to find the English name of a symbol and understand how to use it.
For example:
? is called a question mark.
! is called an exclamation mark.
& is called an ampersand.
@ is called the at sign.
# can be called a hashtag or number sign, depending on the context.
English uses many punctuation marks, typographical symbols, and digital symbols. Some are used in writing, some are used online, and some are used in emails, usernames, forms, and business communication.
This guide will help you identify common symbols in English, understand their meaning, and use them correctly.
Using correct grammar in emails is super important also.
Common English Symbols Quick Guide
Here is a quick guide to common English symbols.
| Symbol | Name in English | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| . | period / full stop | Ends a sentence |
| , | comma | Separates ideas or list items |
| ? | question mark | Shows a question |
| ! | exclamation mark | Shows strong emotion or emphasis |
| : | colon | Introduces a list or explanation |
| ; | semicolon | Connects closely related ideas |
| “ ” | quotation marks | Shows direct speech or quoted text |
| ‘ ’ | apostrophe / single quotation marks | Shows possession, contractions, or quotes |
| ( ) | parentheses / brackets | Adds extra information |
| – | hyphen | Connects words or word parts |
| — | dash | Adds extra information or emphasis |
| … | ellipsis | Shows a pause or missing words |
| & | ampersand | Means “and” |
| @ | at sign | Used in email addresses and usernames |
| # | hashtag / number sign | Used for tags, numbers, or social media |
| * | asterisk | Adds a note, correction, or emphasis |
| / | slash | Shows alternatives, dates, or web paths |
| _ | underscore | Used in usernames and file names |
This table is useful when you see a symbol and need to ask, write, or explain it in English.
Why Symbols Matter in English Writing
Symbols are small, but they can change the meaning of a sentence.
For example:
Let’s eat, Grandma.
This means you are inviting Grandma to eat.
But:
Let’s eat Grandma.
This sounds like Grandma is the food.
The comma changes the meaning completely.
Symbols help your writing become:
clearer
more professional
easier to read
better organized
more accurate
In emails, reports, messages, forms, and online communication, symbols help readers understand your message quickly.
That is why learning symbol names and punctuation rules is important for English learners.
Punctuation Symbols in English
Punctuation symbols help organize sentences.
They show where a sentence ends, where the reader should pause, and what tone the writer wants to express.
Here are the most common punctuation symbols.
Period or Full Stop: .
A period is used at the end of a sentence.
In American English, people usually say period.
In British English, people often say full stop.
Examples:
“I finished the report.”
“The meeting starts at 9 AM.”
“She works in marketing.”
Use a period for normal statements.
Comma: ,
A comma shows a short pause or separates parts of a sentence.
Examples:
“I need paper, pens, folders, and labels.”
“After the meeting, I will send the notes.”
“Maria, can you check this email?”
Commas are very useful, but too many commas can make writing confusing.
Use them to help the reader, not to decorate the sentence.
Question Mark: ?
A question mark is used at the end of a question.
Examples:
“What time is the meeting?”
“Can you help me?”
“Where is the report?”
Use a question mark when asking for information.
Exclamation Mark: !
An exclamation mark shows strong emotion, excitement, surprise, or urgency.
Examples:
“Great job!”
“Be careful!”
“That’s amazing!”
In professional writing, use exclamation marks carefully.
Too many can make your writing look too emotional or informal.
Colon: :
A colon introduces a list, explanation, or example.
Examples:
“We need three things: time, money, and support.”
“Here is the problem: we are missing the final file.”
“The answer is simple: practise every day.”
A colon tells the reader that more information is coming.
Semicolon: ;
A semicolon connects two closely related ideas.
Examples:
“She wanted to join the meeting; she was waiting for the link.”
“The report is ready; the presentation is not finished.”
Semicolons are more formal than commas. They are common in academic or professional writing, but you do not need to overuse them.
Typographical Symbols and Their Meanings
Typographical symbols are symbols used in writing, formatting, publishing, and digital communication.
They are not always sentence punctuation, but they still carry meaning.
Quotation Marks: “ ”
Quotation marks show direct speech, quoted words, or titles of short works.
Examples:
She said, “I will call you tomorrow.”
The article is called “How to Improve Business English.”
He asked, “Can you explain this symbol?”
Quotation marks help readers know when the exact words of another person are being used.
Apostrophe: ’
An apostrophe is used for contractions and possession.
Examples:
“don’t” means “do not.”
“Sarah’s laptop” means the laptop belongs to Sarah.
“The manager’s office” means the office belongs to the manager.
Be careful with apostrophes because they are often used incorrectly.
Parentheses: ( )
Parentheses add extra information inside a sentence.
Examples:
“The class starts on Monday (June 15).”
“Learn Laugh Speak (LLS) helps adults learn English.”
“The answer is correct (but the explanation needs work).”
The sentence should still make sense if you remove the information inside the parentheses.
Hyphen: –
A hyphen connects words or word parts.
Examples:
“well-known company”
“full-time job”
“English-speaking customer”
A hyphen is shorter than a dash.
Do not confuse a hyphen with a dash.
Dash: —
A dash adds extra information, contrast, or emphasis.
Examples:
“The answer is simple — practise daily.”
“She wanted to join — but the meeting was cancelled.”
“Three things matter — clarity, confidence, and consistency.”
A dash creates a stronger pause than a comma.
Ellipsis: …
An ellipsis shows missing words, an unfinished thought, or a pause.
Examples:
“I was thinking…”
“She said the answer was obvious…”
“The quote continues, but part of it is missing…”
In professional writing, use ellipses carefully. Too many can make your writing look unclear or casual.
Digital Symbols You See Online
Some symbols are especially common in digital English.
You see them in emails, websites, usernames, passwords, social media, and forms.
At Sign: @
The at sign is used in email addresses and social media usernames.
Examples:
“Send it to maria@example.com.”
“My username is @learnlaughspeak.”
In English, you can say:
“maria at example dot com”
This is useful when giving an email address by phone.
Hashtag or Number Sign:
The symbol # has different names depending on the context.
In social media, it is usually called a hashtag.
Example:
“Use the hashtag #EnglishLearning.”
In American English, it can also be called the number sign.
Example:
“Apartment #12” means “Apartment number 12.”
In British English, some people may call it a hash.
Ampersand: &
The ampersand means and.
Examples:
“Research & Development”
“Sales & Marketing”
“Terms & Conditions”
It is common in company names, headings, short labels, and informal writing.
In formal sentences, it is usually better to write and instead of &.
Asterisk: *
An asterisk is used for notes, corrections, emphasis, or warnings.
Examples:
“Offer available for a limited time*”
“*Terms and conditions apply.”
“I meant Tuesday, not Monday.*”
In documents, an asterisk often points to extra information below the main text.
Slash: /
A slash can show alternatives, dates, or web addresses.
Examples:
“and/or”
“Monday/Tuesday”
“10/11/2026”
“learnlaughspeak.com/our-blog”
You can say this symbol as slash.
For example:
“Please go to learnlaughspeak dot com slash our blog.”
Underscore: _
An underscore is often used in usernames, file names, and digital forms.
Examples:
“john_smith”
“final_report_2026”
“student_name”
When spelling it out, say:
“john underscore smith”
How to Ask “What Symbol Is This?” Correctly
If you do not know the name of a symbol, you can ask in several natural ways.
The most direct question is:
What symbol is this?
You can also ask:
“What is this symbol called?”
“How do you say this symbol in English?”
“What does this symbol mean?”
“How do I use this symbol?”
“What is the name of this symbol?”
In English, the most natural question is usually:
What is this symbol called?
Example:
“What is this symbol called in English?”
Answer:
“That is an ampersand. It means ‘and.’”
Common Mistakes With English Symbols
Here are common mistakes learners make when asking about or using symbols.
| Mistake | Better English | Why |
| What is called this symbol? | What is this symbol called? | Natural English question order |
| How say this symbol? | How do you say this symbol in English? | Needs full question structure |
| This symbol name? | What is the name of this symbol? | More complete and natural |
| Using ! too often | Use it only for strong emotion | Too many exclamation marks look unprofessional |
| Confusing – and — | Hyphen joins words; dash adds information | They are different symbols |
| Writing emails without punctuation | Add periods and commas | Punctuation improves clarity |
| Using & in formal sentences | Use “and” in formal writing | Ampersand is better for short labels |
Small changes like these can make your English writing clearer and more professional.
Practice: Name the Symbol
Try to name each symbol before reading the answer.
?
Answer: question mark
!
Answer: exclamation mark
@
Answer: at sign
&
Answer: ampersand
#
Answer: hashtag or number sign
*
Answer: asterisk
/
Answer: slash
_
Answer: underscore
…
Answer: ellipsis
“ ”
Answer: quotation marks
Practising symbol names helps you feel more confident when reading, writing, or asking questions in English.
How Symbols Help in Business English
Symbols are not only for school writing.
They are used every day in business English.
You may see symbols in:
emails
meeting notes
contracts
reports
invoices
forms
usernames
website links
project documents
Examples:
“Please review the Q2 report.”
“Send the file to support@example.com.”
“The meeting is scheduled for 10:30 AM.”
“Read pages 10–15 before Friday.”
“Use the folder named client_files_2026.”
When you understand symbol names and meanings, it becomes easier to follow instructions and write clearly at work.
Tips for Using Symbols Clearly
Here are simple rules to help you use symbols correctly.
Use periods to end complete sentences.
Use commas to separate ideas, lists, or extra information.
Use question marks only for questions.
Use exclamation marks carefully in professional writing.
Use quotation marks for exact words or titles.
Use parentheses for extra information.
Use hyphens to connect words.
Use dashes to add extra information or emphasis.
Use @, #, and _ correctly in digital communication.
Read your writing out loud to check if punctuation helps the meaning.
Good punctuation should make your message easier to understand.
If a symbol makes your sentence more confusing, rewrite the sentence.
FAQ: What Symbol Is This?
What is this symbol called: &?
The symbol & is called an ampersand.
It means and.
Example:
“Sales & Marketing” means “Sales and Marketing.”
What is this symbol called: @?
The symbol @ is called the at sign.
It is used in email addresses and social media usernames.
Example:
What is this symbol called: #?
The symbol # can be called a hashtag, number sign, or hash, depending on the context.
On social media, it is usually called a hashtag.
What is the difference between a hyphen and a dash?
A hyphen joins words, such as full-time.
A dash adds extra information or emphasis, like this:
“The answer is simple — practise more.”
How do I ask about a symbol in English?
The most natural question is:
What is this symbol called?
You can also ask:
How do you say this symbol in English?
Final Thoughts on English Symbols
If you often ask “what symbol is this?”, you are not alone.
English has many punctuation marks, typographical symbols, and digital symbols. Some are easy to understand, but others can be confusing when you first see them.
Start with the most common symbols:
period
comma
question mark
exclamation mark
quotation marks
ampersand
at sign
hashtag
asterisk
slash
underscore
Once you know their names and basic uses, reading and writing in English becomes much easier.
Symbols may be small, but they help your message become clear, professional, and easy to understand.
Learn English Writing With Learn Laugh Speak
Learn Laugh Speak helps adult English learners improve reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation at the correct level.
Writing in English is not only about knowing words.
You also need to understand punctuation, sentence structure, symbols, tone, and clarity.
With Learn Laugh Speak, students complete a full level assessment and begin learning from the exact point that matches their ability.
You can practise writing, receive corrections, improve grammar, and build confidence step by step with structured lessons designed for real communication.
If you want to understand symbols, write clearer emails, improve your English level, and communicate more confidently, Learn Laugh Speak can help you make progress every day.
