Guide to Basic English Punctuation Rules

This guide provides instruction on the basic rules of using a period, comma, colon, semicolon, question mark and exclamation point. Each type of punctuation is followed by an explanation and example sentences for reference purposes.

Period

Use a period to end a complete sentence. A sentence is a group of words containing a subject and predicate. In British English a period is called a 'full stop'.

Examples:

He went to Detroit last week.
They are going to visit.

Comma

There are a number of different uses for commas in English. Commas are used to:

• Separate a list of items. This is one of the most common uses of a comma. Notice that a comma is included before the conjunction 'and' which comes before the final element of a list.

Examples:

I like reading, listening to music, taking long walks, and visiting with my friends.
They would like books, magazines, DVDs, video cassettes, and other learning materials for their library.

• Separate phrases (clauses). This is especially true after a beginning dependent clause or a long prepositional phrase.

Examples:

In order to qualify for your certificate, you will need to take the TOEFL exam.
Although he wanted to come, he wasn't able to attend the course.

• Separate two independent clauses that are connected by a conjunction such as 'but'.

Examples:

They wanted to purchase a new car, but their financial situation would not allow it.
I'd really enjoy seeing a film this evening, and I'd like to go out for a drink.

• Introduce a direct quote (as opposed to indirect speech i.e. He said he wanted to come ...).

Examples:

The boy said, "My father is often away during the week on business trips."
His doctor replied, "If you don't stop smoking, you run the risk of a heart attack."

• Separate appositives (a noun, or noun phrase) or non-defining relative clauses.

Examples:

Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, comes from Seattle.
My only sister, who is a fantastic tennis player, is in great shape.

Question Mark

The question mark is used at the end of a question.

Examples:

Where do you live?
How long have they been studying?

Exclamation Point

The exclamation point is used at the end of a sentence to indicate great surprise. It is also used for emphasis when making a point. Be careful not to use an exclamation point too often.

Examples:

That ride was fantastic!
I can't believe he is going to marry her!

Semicolon

There are two uses for a semicolon:

• To separate two independent clauses. One or both of the clauses are short and the ideas expressed are usually very similar.

Examples:

He loves studying; He can't get enough of school.
What an incredible situation; it must make you nervous.

• To separate groups of words that are themselves separated by commas.

Examples:

I took a holiday and played golf, which I love; read a lot, which I needed to do; and slept late, which I hadn't done for quite a while.
They plan to study German, for their travels; chemistry, for their work; and literature, for their own enjoyment.

Colon

A colon can be used for two purposes:

• To provide additional details and explanation.

Examples:

He had many reasons for joining the club: to get in shape, to make new friends, to lose some weight, and to get out of the house.
She gave notice for the following reasons: bad pay, horrible hours, poor relations with colleagues, and her boss.

• To introduce a direct quote (a comma can also be used in this situation).

Examples:

He announced to his friends: "I'm getting married!"
She cried out: "I never want to see you again!"

Sentence Type Basics for English Learner

The imperative commands (or sometimes requests). The imperative takes no subject as 'you' is the implied subject. The imperative form There are four sentence types in English. The first sentence type is the most common:

Declarative

 

A declarative sentence "declares" or states a fact, arrangement or opinion. Declarative sentences can be either positive or negative. A declarative sentences ends with a period (.).

Examples

• I'll meet you at the train station.
• The sun rises in the East.
• He doesn't get up early.

Imperative

 

ends with either a period (.) or an exclamation point (!). 

Examples :

• Open the door.
• Finish your homework
• Pick up that mess.

Interrogative

 

The interrogative asks a question. In the interrogative form the auxiliary verb precedes the subject which is then followed by the main verb (i.e., Are you coming ....?). The interrogative form ends with a question mark (?). 

Examples :

• How long have you lived in France?
• When does the bus leave?
• Do you enjoy listening to classical music?

Exclamatory

 

The exclamatory form emphasizes a statement (either declarative or imperative) with an exclamation point (!).

Examples :

• Hurry up!
• That sounds fantastic!
• I can't believe you said that!

Sentence Types

 

All of these sentence types further fall into four basic sentence type categories in English.

• Simple
• Compound
• Complex
• Compound - Complex

Simple Sentences

 

Simple sentences contain no conjunction (i.e., and, but, or, etc.). 

Examples : 

• Frank ate his dinner quickly.
• Peter and Sue visited the museum last Saturday.
• Are you coming to the party?

Compound Sentences

 

Compound sentences contain two statements that are connected by a conjunction (i.e., and, but, or, etc.). 

Examples :

• I wanted to come, but it was late.
• The company had an excellent year, so they gave everyone a bonus.
• I went shopping, and my wife went to her classes.

Complex Sentences

 

Complex sentences contain a dependent clause and at least one independent clause. The two clauses are connected by a subordinator (i.e, which, who, although, despite, if, since, etc.). 

Examples :

• My daughter, who was late for class, arrived shortly after the bell rang.
• That's the man who bought our house
• Although it was difficult, the class passed the test with excellent marks.

Compound - Complex Sentences

 

Compound - complex sentences contain at least one dependent clause and more than one independent clause. The clauses are connected by both conjunctions (i.e., but, so, and, etc.) and subordinators (i.e., who, because, although, etc.) 

Examples :

• John, who briefly visited last month, won the prize, and he took a short vacation.
• Jack forgot his friend's birthday, so he sent him a card when he finally remembered.
• The report which Tom complied was presented to the board, but it was rejected because it was too complex.

Writing Clear Sentences

Once you've learned basic English, you'll want to begin improving your writing skills. Start by understanding English sentence types. Make sure you also understand basic English punctuation rules. You can then learn how to connect sentences. Finally, understanding text organization will lead to better writing skills for essays and more advanced writing assignments.

INVERSION

Inversion

Use of question form
In this case, the question form (auxiliary + Subject + main verb)takes the place of standart positive sentence structure, (ex : He goes to school)

Examples:
1. Not only do I enjoy the game, but I also have a free ticket to the next game
2. seldom has the boss been so upset!

in this case, the question form is subtituted for standart sentence structure in a statement. Generally, an inversion is used to stress the uniqueness of an event and begin with the negative.

Time expressions : rarely, seldom, never
These time expressions are used with a perfect form or with modals and often include comparative.
examples:
1. Never have I been more insulted!
2. Seldom has he seen anything stranger

Time expressions : no sooner, hardly, scarcely, barely
These time expressions ure used when there are a succession event in the past.
examples :
1. Scarcely had I got out of bed when the doorbell rang.
2. No sooner had he finished dinner, when she walked in the door.

After "only" expressions such as, "only after","only when", "only then", etc
"only" is used with a time expression.
examples :
1. Only than did I understand the problem.
2. Only after understanding the situation does the teacher make a comment.

After "litle"
"litle" is used in a negative sense.
examples :
1. Litle did He understand the situation.
2. Litle have I concerning nanotechnology

Inversion after "so", "such" and "That"
"so"
So + Adjective......that (combines with the verb to be)
examples :
1. So strange was the situation that I couldn't sleep
2. So difficult is the test that student need three months to prepare.

"Such"
So + to be + noun....(that)
examples :
1. Such is the moment that all greats traverse.
2. Such is the stuff of dreams.

Inverted conditional form
Sometime conditional forms are inverted as a means of sounding more formal.
In this case, the conditional "if" is dropped and the inverted forms takes the place of the "if clause".
examples :
1. Had He understood the problem, he wouldn't have committed those mistakes.
2. Should He decide to come, please telephone.

Historical of Batavia

Sunda Kelapa Port

Sunda Kelapa is the name of port located at Penjaringan district, north Jakarta. Though now it just one of the ports in Jakarta, this area was important because surround of Sunda Kelapa port was an embrio of Jakarta which its anniversary in June 22, 1527. At that moment Sunda Kelapa owned by Sunda’s empire which took a power center at Pakuan Pajajaran or Pajajaran (now Bogor city) had been seized by Demak and Cirebon’s troops. Although the anniversary of Jakarta had just stipulated in 16^th century, Sunda Kelapa’s history had ready begun far early in the past, it was a precursor age of Sunda’s empire Tarumanegara. Taruma Negara had ever raided and conquered by Sriwijaya’s empire from Sumatra, therefore It don’t be surprised if Sunda’s ethnic in Sunda Kelapa port use Melayu language which common in Sumatra, then become national language long before Sumpah Pemuda happen. Sunda Kelapa port had known since 12^th century and then was the most important of Sunda empire that its capitol in Pajajaran. Than by the time when Islam and European explorers come, Sunda Kelapa contested between local empires and European explorers. Finally Dutch got success to dominate for more than 300 years long. They changed Sunda Kelapa port and its surrounding area. In the beginning 1970 the ancient name of Sunda kelapa had turned to be used as official name of this port.

Historical of Batavia

Luar Batang Mosque

 

Luar batang mosque located in Pasar Ikan area (fish market), north Jakarta. In this mosque there is a cemetery of Ulama named Alhabib Husein bin Abubakar bin Abdillah Al 'Aydrus that die in June 24, 1756. The mosque name was given adjusted to the nickname of Habib Husein was Luar Batang Habib. He was called like this because formerly when Habib husein would be buried, while his body was carried up to “kurung Batang” (bier), suddenly his body was disappeared. It was happen three times. Finally the pilgrims agreed to bury his body at his place now.

Historical of Batavia

Bank Indonesia Museum

 

The museum located in Jalan Pintu Besar Utara No.3, West Jakarta (In front of Beos Station) is a cultural conservation relic from De Javasche Bank with neo classical style, combined with local influence and was erected in 1828.