The term punctuation refers to the conventional system of marks used in writing. Punctuation marks are used to display and clarify the structure of the text. In this post we explain the uses of full stop, comma and semicolon.

Full stop

The full stop is used at the end of a statement or an imperative sentence.

She is a teacher.
He writes stories.
Barking dogs seldom bite.
Alice is my friend.
Stop.

Full stops are also used in abbreviations, especially in American English.

M.A. = Master of Arts
Dr. = Doctor
Capt. = Captain

Comma

The comma is the shortest pause between words. It has several uses. It is used:

1. To separate three or more words of the same grammatical class (nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives etc.):

John bathed, breakfasted, dressed and went out.
They need food, clothes and shelter.
He spoke clearly, briefly and eloquently.

2. To mark off phrases in apposition:

Tagore, the great poet and Nobel Laureate, was a visionary.
Ann, my sister, is an advocate.

3. After adverbial phrases formed by absolute construction:

The weather being fine, they decided to go out.

Commas are also used to mark off a non-defining adjectival phrase formed with a participle.

John, having finished his task, returned home.
The Chairman, getting to his feet, addressed the gathering.

4. To separate words or phrases inserted into the body of a sentence:

He, too, was aware of the plot.
She is, after all, a mere child.
His conduct, to say the least, was disgusting.
He did not, however, lose heart.

5. To avoid the repetition of a verb:

John is a lawyer and Alice, a doctor.

6. To separate a subordinate clause that comes before the main clause:

When the bell rings, we shall go to the class.
If you heat ice, it melts.

The semicolon

The semicolon indicates a longer pause than the comma. It is usually followed by conjunctions like and, but or or. The semicolon is used to separate sentences which are closely connected in thought.

As Caesar loved me, I wept for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honor him.
So many lands; so many fashions
Today we love what tomorrow we hate; today we seek what tomorrow we shun; today we desire what tomorrow we fear.
The rain fell in torrents; the sky was dark; the way was long; the weary travelers plodded on in silence.