The colon has two uses: To indicate that what follows it is an explanation or elaboration of what precedes it (the rule being that the more general statement is followed…

The comma is used very frequently but is also often used incorrectly. There are four distinct uses of the comma: A listing comma is used as a kind of substitute…

There is only one use of the exclamation mark: After an exclamation of surprise, shock or dismay, which is generally a short sentence or phrase expressing very strong feeling (especially…

There are two uses of the question mark: At the end of a direct question [Do you understand this rule?] To show that something is uncertain (when it should be…

There are two uses of the full stop: To mark the end of a sentence expressing a statement (if you are unsure whether the words constitute a sentence, look for…

Introduction The earliest known punctuation was used by Aristophanes of Byzantium, a libarian at Alexandria, around 200 BC. However, punctuation as we understand it today was the result of the…