SUMMARY OF PUNCTUATION MARKS – THEIR USE AND
SPACING
Punctuation Mark
Period
Proper Use

at the end of a statement,
or an indirect question

with abbreviations
.

separate phrases, words,
and clauses.

sets off names, parts of a
date, addresses, quotation
(many, many more uses)
Semi-colon

links main clauses not
joined by and, but, nor, or
or
;

separates independent
clauses when the second
clause begins with
however, furthermore,
therefore, nevertheless,
instead, besides, or
moreover

emphasizes a break
between closely related
clauses when one clause is
long or one clause already
contains commas
after a complete sentence
that is followed by a list
Comma
,
Colon


after the salutation in
some business letters

to separate hours and
minutes
:
Spacing

two spaces follow a
period at the end of a
sentence.

one space follows a
period after an
abbreviation
one space follows a
comma


one space follows a semicolon

two spaces follow the
colon when in a sentence

one space follows the
colon when it is used for
time
Question mark
?
Exclamation mark
!

to introduce a direct
quotation

at the end of direct
questions

to indicate doubt about
some fact
to indicate strong
emotion or feeling (such
as surprise, delight, or
excitement)


two spaces follow a
question mark

Two spaces follow an
exclamation mark