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They show the reader where sentences start and finish and if they are used properly they make your writing easy to understand. This section gives practical guidance on how to use commas, semicolons, and other types of punctuation correctly, so that your writing will always be clear and <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/effective">effective</a>. There are also sections which offer advice on using punctuation when writing <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/direct-speech">direct speech</a>, lists, or abbreviations.</p><p>You may find some <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/aspect">aspects</a> of punctuation harder to grasp than others (for example, when to use a semicolon or a colon). Clicking on each heading will take you to a page with more details and full information.</p></p></div><div class="categories"></div><div class="categories pages"><section class="record" data-time="2016-09-14 21:54:29 +0100"><a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Story 1" href="/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/punctuation/apostrophe"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004075655im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/2893/original/hook-thumbnail.jpg?1471959703" alt="Hook thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>Apostrophe (’)</h2><h4>Many people have difficulties with using the apostrophe correctly. We're here to eliminate the uncertainty surrounding this punctuation mark. </h4></article></a></section><section class="record" data-time="2018-04-12 16:43:05 +0100"><a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Story 2" href="/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/punctuation/bullet-points"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004075655im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/2770/original/bullet-hole-thumbnail.jpg?1471959654" alt="Bullet hole thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>Bullet points</h2><h4>Although there are no fixed rules about how to use bullet points, here are a few things you need to consider. </h4></article></a></section><section class="record" data-time="2016-09-29 15:39:16 +0100"><a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Story 3" href="/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/punctuation/colon"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004075655im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/3097/original/typewriter-coffee-thumbnail.jpg?1471959771" alt="Typewriter coffee thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>Colon (:)</h2><h4>Those two little dots have three main uses: learn what a colon’s job is and where it can be used with our helpful guide. Can you spot how it is being used here?</h4></article></a></section><section class="record" data-time="2016-09-29 15:39:16 +0100"><a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Story 4" href="/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/punctuation/comma"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004075655im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/2753/original/banana-thumbnail.jpg?1471959648" alt="Banana thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>Comma (,)</h2><h4>Don’t struggle with whether or not to use an Oxford comma: our guide will teach you this, plus much more about the humble comma and its many uses.</h4></article></a></section><section class="record" data-time="2017-07-25 13:41:24 +0100"><a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Story 5" href="/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/grammar/dash-and-em-dash"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004075655im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/3129/original/writing-notebook-thumbnail.jpg?1471959782" alt="Writing notebook thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>Em dash (–)</h2><h4>Dashes are often found in informal writing, but how often should you use this punctuation?</h4></article></a></section><section class="record" data-time="2016-09-29 15:39:16 +0100"><a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Story 6" href="/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/punctuation/exclamation-mark-point"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004075655im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/2850/original/exclamation-mark-thumbnail.jpg?1471959688" alt="Exclamation mark thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>Exclamation mark/Exclamation point (!)</h2><h4>The exclamation mark comes in handy in various situations – but are there times you should or shouldn’t use it? We explore this controversial punctuation mark. </h4></article></a></section><section class="record" data-time="2016-08-25 13:59:13 +0100"><a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Story 7" href="/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/punctuation/period-full-stop"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004075655im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/2797/original/circular-sign-thumbnail.jpg?1471959670" alt="Circular sign thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>Full Stop/Period (.)</h2><h4>Don’t let your confidence in using a full stop be stopped: take a look at our guide to when this fundamental punctuation mark is needed.</h4></article></a></section><section class="record" data-time="2016-09-29 15:39:16 +0100"><a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Story 8" href="/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/punctuation/hyphen"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004075655im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/2762/original/bridge-thumbnail.jpg?1471959652" alt="Bridge thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>Hyphen (-)</h2><h4>Hyphens can be tricky to use, but there are three times where you should consider using them. This article shows you when to use them, and how.</h4></article></a></section><section class="record" data-time="2016-09-29 15:39:16 +0100"><a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Story 9" href="/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/punctuation/inverted-commas-quotation-marks"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004075655im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/2886/original/hanging-speech-bubble-thumbnail.jpg?1471959700" alt="Hanging speech bubble thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>Inverted commas/Quotation marks</h2><h4>Inverted commas are used for a number of reasons, and also have different names. This guide shows you the differences between them, and how to use them.</h4></article></a></section><section class="record" data-time="2016-09-06 15:05:51 +0100"><a data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="Story 10" href="/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/punctuation/parentheses-and-brackets"><div class="box-img" data-ratiox="16" data-ratioy="9.5"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004075655im_/https://oup.useremarkable.com/production/images/uploads/2758/original/bookends-thumbnail.jpg?1471959650" alt="Bookends thumbnail"/></div><article><h2>Parentheses and brackets ( ) [ ]</h2><h4>Round brackets and square brackets are the two main types of brackets. Read this quick guide to learn how to use them correctly.</h4></article></a></section></div><div class="load_more_container"><a class="load_more_button" data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="load more" href="/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/grammar/punctuation">Load More</a><a class="seemore" data-behaviour="ga-event" data-value="see more in cat" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/grammar">See more from Grammar</a></div></div></div><aside class="sideBanner"><div class="sideBannerWrap"></div></aside><aside class="sidebar extend" id="sidebar"><div class="sidebar-content"><div class="dayword"><section><div class="daywordmain"><span class="wotd-title">Word of the Day</span><div><div><strong><a class="linkword" data-behaviour="ga-event-wotd" data-value="Word" href="/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/nous" id="7855eae3-d6d5-42b8-a362-b9a764499048">nous</a><div class="rsbtn"><a class="voice" data-behaviour="ga-event-wotd" data-value="audio" onclick="document.getElementById('9ebad6b0-6bf9-4f7a-9bfb-340a01e22aff').play();"><svg enable-background="new 0 0 42 42" height="42" viewbox="0 0 42 42" width="42" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g class="orn"><circle cx="21" cy="21" r="21"/><circle class="wh-s" cx="21" cy="21" r="17" stroke-miterlimit="10" stroke-width="2"/></g><g class="wh"><path d="m14.3 18h-3.8v6h3.8l4.9 4c0 0 1 .9 1 .1v-14.2c0-.7-.9.1-.9.1l-5 4"/><path d="m27.3 29.7c2.6-2.2 4.1-5.4 4.1-8.7s-1.5-6.6-4.1-8.7c-.3-.3-.9-.3-1.1.1-.2.1-.2.3-.2.5 0 .2.1.5.3.6 2.2 1.9 3.5 4.6 3.5 7.5 0 2.9-1.3 5.6-3.5 7.5-.2.2-.3.4-.3.6 0 .2.1.4.2.5.2.4.8.4 1.1.1"/><path d="m28.1 21c0-2.4-1.1-4.7-2.9-6.2-.3-.3-.9-.2-1.2.1-.1.2-.2.3-.2.5 0 .2.1.5.3.6 1.5 1.2 2.3 3.1 2.3 5 0 1.9-.9 3.7-2.3 5-.2.2-.3.4-.3.6 0 .2.1.4.2.5.3.3.8.4 1.2.1 1.9-1.5 2.9-3.8 2.9-6.2"/><path d="m24.8 21c0-1.4-.6-2.8-1.8-3.7-.3-.3-.9-.2-1.2.1-.1.2-.2.3-.2.5 0 .2.1.5.3.6.7.6 1.2 1.5 1.2 2.5 0 1-.4 1.9-1.2 2.5-.2.2-.3.4-.3.6 0 .2.1.4.2.5.3.3.8.4 1.2.1 1.2-.9 1.8-2.3 1.8-3.7"/></g></svg></a></div><audio id="9ebad6b0-6bf9-4f7a-9bfb-340a01e22aff" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004075655im_/https://s3.amazonaws.com/audio.oxforddictionaries.com/en/mp3/nous_gb_1.mp3"></audio></strong><p class="find_what_it_is" style="display:none"><a class="callToAction" data-behaviour="ga-event-wotd" data-value="find out what it means" href="/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/nous"><span class="eng">Find out what it means</span></a></p></div></div></div><div class="section sso_newsletter_holder" id="wotd_newsletter_manage_button"><div class="sso_newsletter"><a class="subscribe_button" data-behaviour="ga-event-wotd" data-value="subscribe" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004075655/https://sso.oxforddictionaries.com/users/edit#manage_newsletter_preferences"><img class="newsletter_envelope" src="/web/20181004075655im_/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/assets/oup/svg/Wotd-email-white-59b5c9e44284c06d97b873885110d0a7.svg"/>Get word of the day by email</a></div><p class="privacy-policy-wotd"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004075655/https://global.oup.com/privacy" target="_new">Click here to see our Privacy Policy.</a></p></div><div class="section" id="wotd_newsletter_form"><div class="wotd newsletters en_word_of_the_day"><form class="boxSizing newsletters" action="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/newsletters" accept-charset="UTF-8" data-remote="true" method="post"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="✓"/><p class="word_of_the_day">Get word of the day by email</p><fieldset class="layout"><label><input value="1" type="hidden" name="newsletters[en_word_of_the_day]" id="newsletters_en_word_of_the_day"/><input value="en" type="hidden" name="newsletters[dictionary]" id="newsletters_dictionary"/><input placeholder="Enter your email address" required="required" class="boxSizing" type="email" name="user[email]" id="user_email"/></label><button name="button" type="submit" class="boxSizing transition" data-behaviour="ga-event-wotd" data-value="subscribe">Subscribe</button></fieldset></form><p class="privacy-policy-wotd"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181004075655/https://global.oup.com/privacy" target="_new">Click here to see our Privacy Policy.</a></p><h4 class="thanks">Thanks for subscribing. 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id="quiz_option_id_6184" value="6184"/><span class="option_text">Each group is choosing a topic.</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6185" value="6185"/><span class="option_text">Each group are choosing a topic.</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of these sentences is correct?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6197" value="6197"/><span class="option_text">The audience are taking their seats. </span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6196" value="6196"/><span class="option_text">The audience is taking its seats.</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of these sentences is correct?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6233" value="6233"/><span class="option_text">Some people hate technology. </span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6232" value="6232"/><span class="option_text">Some people hates technology. </span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of these sentences is correct?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6226" value="6226"/><span class="option_text">The police doesn't have any new leads.</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6227" value="6227"/><span class="option_text">The police don’t have any new leads.</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of these sentences is correct?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6193" value="6193"/><span class="option_text">The band is the best singers I've ever heard.</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6192" value="6192"/><span class="option_text">The band are the best singers I've ever heard.</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of these sentences is correct?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6188" value="6188"/><span class="option_text">People need to be aware of the dangers. </span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6189" value="6189"/><span class="option_text">People needs to be aware of the dangers. </span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of these sentences is correct?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6228" value="6228"/><span class="option_text">The interview panel comprises three women.</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6229" value="6229"/><span class="option_text">The interview panel comprise three women.</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of these sentences is correct?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6211" value="6211"/><span class="option_text">More people is shopping online.</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6210" value="6210"/><span class="option_text">More people are shopping online.</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of these sentences is correct?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6204" value="6204"/><span class="option_text">The crew is made up of experienced sailors.</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6205" value="6205"/><span class="option_text">The crew are made up of experienced sailors.</span></li></ul></div><div class="question"><p class="question-text">Which of these sentences is correct?</p><ul class="options"><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6187" value="6187"/><span class="option_text">The police are appealing for witnesses.</span></li><li class="radio question_option" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="clicks"><input type="radio" name="quiz_option_id" id="quiz_option_id_6186" value="6186"/><span class="option_text">The police is appealing for witnesses.</span></li></ul></div><div class="question last"><h3 id="score-message">You scored <span class="final-score"></span>/10 practise again?</h3><button id="retry-quiz">Retry</button></div></div></form><button name="button" type="button" data-behaviour="ga-event-quiz" data-value="next question" id="next-question" html="{:disabled=>"disabled"}">Next</button><div class="score-counter"><span class="current-score">0</span>/10</div></div><br/></div><div class="trending-panel-odo sideTrendWrap"><div class="trend" lang="en"><section class="boxSizing"><span class="trend-title-wrapper"><span class="trend-title">Trending Words</span></span><div class="popular"><p><span>Most popular in the world</span></p></div><ol class="words_section"><li><a data-behaviour="ga-event-trending-words" data-value="word 1" href="/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/monitum">monitum</a></li><li><a data-behaviour="ga-event-trending-words" data-value="word 2" href="/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/low-carbon">low-carbon</a></li><li><a data-behaviour="ga-event-trending-words" data-value="word 3" href="/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/shoring">shoring</a></li><li><a data-behaviour="ga-event-trending-words" data-value="word 4" href="/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/pinkerton,_allan">Pinkerton, Allan</a></li><li><a data-behaviour="ga-event-trending-words" data-value="word 5" href="/web/20181004075655/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/be_like_piccadilly_circus">be like Piccadilly Circus</a></li></ol></section></div></div><div class="banbox-mini"><div class="banner "><div id="div-gpt-ad-1467288879120-1"><script>googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1467288879120-1'); });</script></div></div></div><div class="bluebox sidebar-newsletter"><div class="container newsletters en_dictionaries_news"><div class="signup"><h4>Sign up for our newsletter</h4><p>Stay up to date with our latest news and receive new words updates, blog posts, and more.</p><div class="section sso_newsletter_holder 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