在任何语言的写作中，懂得正确使用标点符号既能提高你的写作技巧，又能彰显你的写作水平。
很多英语学习者和使用者都经常遇到英语标点符号的使用问题，希望下面的用法能够对你或你的孩子有帮助。
英语中共有14个标点符号（ punctuation marks），分别是：the period （句号 ）, question mark （问号）, exclamation point（感叹号）, comma（逗号）, semicolon（分号）, colon（冒号）,dash（破折号），hyphen（连字符）, parentheses（圆括号）,brackets（括号 ）, braces（括弧）, apostrophe（撇号; 省略符号; 所有格符号）, quotation marks（引号）, and ellipses（省略号）.
Sentence Endings
Three of the fourteen punctuation marks are appropriate for use as sentence endings. They are the period, question mark, and exclamation point.
The period (.) is placed at the end of declarative sentences, statements thought to be complete and after many abbreviations.
For example:
· As a sentence ender: Jane and Jack went to the market .
· After an abbreviation: Her Mar . birthday came and went.
Use a question mark (?) to indicate a direct question when placed at the end of a sentence. For example: When did Jane leave for the market ?
The exclamation point/mark (!) is used when a person wants to express a sudden outcry or add emphasis.
· Within dialogue: “Holy cow!” screamed Jane.
· To emphasize a point: My mother-in-law's rants make me furious !
Comma, Semicolon and Colon
The comma, semicolon and colon are often misused because they all can indicate a pause in a series.
The comma is used to show a separation of ideas or elements within the structure of a sentence. Additionally, it is used in letter writing after the salutation and closing.
· Separating elements within sentences : Suzi wanted the black , green , and blue shoes.
· Letter Salutations: Dear Uncle John ,
· Separation of two complete sentences: We went to the movies , and we went to the beach.
The semicolon (;) is used to connect independent clauses. It shows a closer relationship between the clauses than a period would show. For example: John was hurt ; he knew she only said it to upset him.
A colon (:) has two main uses:
1. The first is after a word introducing a quotation, an explanation, an example, or a series. It is also often used after the salutation of a business letter.
2. The second is within time expressions. Within time, it is used to separate out the hour and minute: 12 : 15 p.m.
Dash and the Hyphen
Two kinds of dashes are used throughout written communications. They are the endash (短破折号) and the emdash (长破折号). An endash is a symbol (-) that is used in writing or printing to connect numbers or to connect elements of a compound adjective, such as 1880 - 1945 or Princeton - New York trains.
However, the emdash has more complicated grammatical use. The symbol of is used to:
1. Indicate a break in thought or sentence structure
2. Introduce a phrase added for emphasis, definition, or explanation
3. Separate two clauses
Use it in the following manner: We only wanted to get two birds - but the clerk talked us into four pregnant parakeets.
A hyphen (-) is the same symbol as the endash. However, it has slightly different usage rules. A hyphen is used between the parts of a compound word or name or between the syllables of a word, especially when divided at the end of a line of text.
Examples of this in use include:
· Between a compound name: Mrs. Smith - Reynolds
· Within a compound word: back - to - back
Brackets, Braces and Parentheses
Brackets, braces and parentheses are symbols used to contain words that are a further explanation or are considered a group.
Parentheses ( () ) are curved notations used to contain further thoughts or qualifying remarks. However, parentheses can be replaced by commas without changing the meaning in most cases. For example: John and Jane ( who were actually half brother and sister ) both have red hair.
Brackets are the squared off notations ([]) used for technical explanations. YourDictionary uses them when you look up word definitions. At the bottom of each definition page, brackets surround a technical description of where the word originated.
Braces ({}) are used to contain two or more lines of text or listed items to show that they are considered as a unit. They are not commonplace in most writing, but can be seen in computer programming to show what should be contained within the same lines.
Apostrophe, Quotation Marks and Ellipses
The final three punctuation forms in English grammar are the apostrophe, quotation marks and ellipses. Unlike previously mentioned grammatical marks, they are not related to one another in any form.
An apostrophe (') is used to indicate the omission of a letter or letters from a word, the possessive case, or the plurals of lowercase letters.
Examples of the apostrophe in use include:
· Omission of letters from a word: An issue of nat'l importance.
· Possesive case: Sara's dog bites.
· Plural for lowercase letters: Six people were told to mind their p's and q's. It should be noted that, according to Purdue University, some teachers and editors enlarge the scope of the use of apostrophe, and prefer their use on symbols (&'s), numbers (7's) and capitalized letters (Q&A's), even though they are not necessary.
Quotations marks ( “” ) are a pair of punctuation marks used primarily to mark the beginning and end of a passage attributed to another and repeated word for word. They are also used to indicate meanings and to indicate the unusual or dubious status of a word.
Single quotation marks (') are used most frequently for quotes within quotes.
The ellipses mark is generally represented by three periods (. . . ) although it is occasionally demonstrated with three asterisks (***). The ellipses are used in writing or printing to indicate an omission, especially of letters or words. Ellipses are frequently used within quotations to jump from one phrase to another, omitting unnecessary words that do not interfere with the meaning. Students writing research papers or newspapers quoting parts of speeches will often employ ellipses to avoid copying lengthy text that is not needed.
Differences in British vs. American English
There are a few differences between punctuation in British and American English. The following charts details some of those differences:
British English
American English
The “ . “ symbol is called
a full stop
a period
The “ ! “ symbol is called
an exclamation mark
an exclamation point
The “ ( ) “ symbols are called
brackets
parentheses
The “ [ ] “ symbols are called
square brackets
brackets
The position of quotation marks
Joy means “happiness”.
Joy means “happiness.”
The punctuation for abbreviations
Dr, Mr, Mrs, St, Rd, Ct
Dr., Mr., Mrs., St., Rd., Ct.
