English Punctuation Guide - English Writing Lesson

In this lesson, you can learn about English punctuation.You’ll see the most common punctuation marks in English, what they’re called, and how to use them.
Using punctuation correctly is critical for your English writing. Punctuation problems can make a bad impression or lead to misunderstandings.
Want to learn more about other punctuation marks? Get help from a certified English teacher in an online English lesson: bit.ly/ooe-teachers.
See the full version of this lesson on our website: www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/e....
Contents:
1. Period 0:58
2. Comma 3:38
3. Colon 5:34
4. Semicolon 6:37
5. Apostrophe 8:09
6. Hyphen 9:57
7. Dash 12:13
8. Quotation Mark 14:19
9. Parentheses 17:06
10. Question and Exclamation Marks 18:53
This lesson will help you:
- Get a better understanding for all punctuation marks in English so you can improve your English writing and comprehension.
- Use our English punctuation guide to get real examples of using each punctuation mark correctly.
- See common mistakes students make when using English punctuation.
- Go through ten different parts of the English punctuation guide to better understand each punctuation mark.
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See more free English lessons like this on our website: www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/.

[@jacobofraiz]

Love the video, love Kasia. Very helpful. Even in my own native language I don’t know how to use properly puntuactions marks and signs. Thanks a lot.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Glad you liked it, Jacobo!

[@shankarsuman8801]

Sir looks like Mr. Boris Johnson.

[@jianqingxie5051]

You are chubby

[@snakegamer1083]

No he is not

[@nabihhaji8352]

.

[@maryg.6624]

0:59 PART ONE Full Stop (Period) 3:39 PART TWO Commas 5:35 PART THREE Colons 6:37 PART FOUR Semicolons 8:09 PART FIVE Apostrophes 9:58 PART SIX Hyphens 12:13 PART SEVEN Dashes 14:20 PART EIGHT Speech Marks 17:07 PART NINE Parenthesis 18:52 PART TEN Question Marks and Exclamation Marks

[@heplaysbass]

i hope both sides of your pillow are cold 🙏

[@saramohamed.8403]

Thank you 🥺❤️

[@hosameldinlotfy5975]

Thx

[@dhabigroup6072]

THANK YOU 🙏

[@justinlabrador6070]

Personally, the most difficult punctuation is 'comma'. I find it very confusing and at the same time it is hard for me to identify which part of the sentence should have a comma. However, because of your ideas, I'm quite confident to use 'comma' every time I will write an academic paper or anything. Thank you!

[@mosaabahmed8968]

hahaha but now you are using it easily

[@nitinvalani6792]

Yeah

[@achuilajang7072]

Very interesting lesson! The most confusing punctuation marks for me: are semicolons, and colons.

[@harishadithya448]

Lose the 'are' there

[@rajkumardixit5041]

Irony

[@keronegamerchannel2706]

Colons are easy I could use them after the name like Garett: Hi, how are you.

[@achuilajang7072]

@@harishadithya448 thnx, yeah I should’ve put the ‘are’ before the colon and not after. It was an oversight from me.

[@saravanamuthu9049]

@@harishadithya448 ஜஸவஜஜஜஸஜஸஜஜஜஜஜஜஸஜஸஸஜஜ்‌தத‌ஜஜஸதஜ..தஜ.வஜஜவஜவஜஜதஜதஜத‌த.த‌‌தத‌தத‌தஜதஜத.த‌ததஜத‌த‌த‌ததஜதஜ.தத‌தத‌தஜத‌தததத‌த‌ததத.த.தத‌த.த.த‌த.த‌தஜஸ.‌த‌தத‌தஜஜஜஜஜஜதஜஜஜஜதஜஜ.வஜஜஜஜஜதஜதஜஜதஜஜஜஜஜஜஜதஜஜ‌ஜஜஜ‌த‌தஜஜவஜத‌.தஜ‌தஜஜதஜத‌‌ததத.தஜஜஜ‌.ஜஜஜ

[@moaathalabdouli7327]

Wow! I wasn't expecting this to be so clear! Can I take a moment to thank all of those who participated in making this video :)

[@tko97]

Is a question mark needed in the end of your sentence since it begins with "Can I"?

[@abdiel_hd]

I feel like my English level has increased from 1000 to 5000 with this explanation. Thank you!

[@BluZero]

You got a like from the oxford

[@Suunn_shine]

0:59 1. Full Stop 3:38 2, Commas 5:35 3: Colons 6:38 4; Semicolons 8:11 5' Apostrophes 9:57 6- Hyphens 12:14 7 - Dashes 14:20 8 “Speech Marks” 17:08 9 (Parentheses) 18:54 10 Question Marks ? and Exclamation Marks !

[@hosameldinlotfy5975]

Thx ❤😊

[@flapjackocto8509]

THE most detailed video I've watched so far on the topic. Ample examples and explanations. Very professionally and eloquently narrated and presented by both the instructors- loved listening to them. Thank you for making this video. Incredibly helpful!

[@jennygibbons1258]

After decades of study, this video is an outstanding aid. Congratulations! I am looking forward to learning more about my native language. Thanks.

[@user-xe3ud9eg1e]

This lesson is a great help to me. I've been grappling with the topic for a long time. Thank you for breaking it down into manageable chunks to understand it. Now, I've been able to piece it all together for myself, and I feel a lot more confident in punctuating my writing. Many thanks!!!

[@imflightmode201]

I have been looking for so long for a video like this. It explains everything properly that I wanted.

[@negotseraphin5447]

Hello everyone! I’m Négot SERAPHIN from Haiti. Indeed I’m a crazy fan of English. To be more specific, I always found semi-colons and dashes (en/ ‘em) confusing. However, after watching this video for two hours, I’m now able to distinguish between dashes and also know when to use semi-colons. Thanks to the whole Oxford staff for sharing such resourceful videos.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

We're glad you enjoyed this Oxford Online English lesson! Thanks for watching!

[@IQ-bp2qx]

The semicolon is the most confusing for me! After watching it for 3 times, I could handled it. Thank you a lot!

[@masood8468]

Loved the explanation: my english level has increased with this tutorial. Thank you!

[@ajadisodiq3991]

I love the ways of your teaching. It's educative and helpful. The most confusing punctuation mark for me is the "en and em dashes" as the instructors did not shed more light on it.

[@mickymcl8359]

Excellent video, Kasia and Daniel, I really enjoyed your clear and concise explanations with examples. Cleared up a lot of issues that I had with punctuation.

[@mohamedkritel1342]

The most difficult punctuation mark is comma.

[@joeyidc3212]

For real

[@tansyking185]

I thought I was the only one

[@mattsworld2926]

I don't think so. I think that semicolons are awful.

[@kimberlyjoseph1330]

😂 My thoughts exactly😅

[@ilovecapybaraanimals9411]

.

[@sujangurung1]

Thank you OXFORD online English. Definitely this video helps to improve english writing.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Glad it was a helpful lesson for you, Sujan!

[@anwarhossain1351]

I am an English teacher. I am about 15 years in this field. This will be very helpful.I am from Bangladesh. Thanks.

[@Ankitkumar-et2kz]

Thank you so much for this lesson, most confusing punctuation mark for me is Hyphen ( -). Still struggling how and where should I hyphen in middle of the sentence 😀

[@rainmeng7313]

double quotation marks and single quotation marks were so confusing, but not any more. Thank you so much.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

So glad the lesson helped you, Rain! Thanks for watching!

[@demetkarabork176]

This video is the video that I exactly need to 🤩🤩 thanks a lot Oxford Online English ❤️

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

That's great, Demet! Glad we could help!

[@eleonorangeles2572]

I totally love this lesson. I always thought putting a comma before a speech is the correct one.

[@alanavila1127]

Outstanding review from all the punctuation marks!

[@wisdomest]

None is difficult as you explained perfectly. I love this video and the way you teach. Thank you.

[@beenishkhan5276]

What a great lesson! I was looking for punctuations over the years, thank god i have found an effective one, atlast.

[@SphosethuThelma]

Good evening my name is Thelma Madikane I am from Meadowlands in Soweto South Africa. Thank you very much for conducting lessons in KZbin

[@etiennemunyamasharairakiza6503]

Waouuu! I highly appreciate the time you offer to your followers by availing such lectures. Your sacrifice, courage, and goodwill to see the world speaking English fluently touch our hearts. God bless you!

[@estelarosariofagaraimundo3549]

I've realised thanks to this video that I 've been using parenthesis wrongly all my life :/ From now on, I will take care with this and pay more attention to the way I write. I am so glad to realise I was having mistakes.

[@bagdauletabykhanov9197]

The most confusing ones were the colons and dashes, thank you so much for this lesson!

[@lelandhowell480]

excelente teaching. I will need more time to digest the first lesson.

[@antoniodossantos5960]

Thanks 🌎 Greetings from Colombia. The Venezuelan Immigrant writer 🇻🇪

[@salonimishra3135]

Topic 1: Full stop (.) or Period (in American English) *used after finishing a sentence. *there should be a space after using "." *Dr. Mr. Mrs. a.m. p.m. (British English) *Dr Mr Mrs AM PM (American English) Topic 2: Comma (,) *used to differentiate lists of item. *used to seperate two sentences. *used to add an essential sentence in between. *used before a conjunction (e.g. I was upset, but wasn't annoyed.) Topic 3: Colon (:) *used to write explanation, examples, and details. Topic 4: Semi colon (;) *connects 2 sentences. *better than a full-stop when two sentences concey similar ideas. *no need to use conjunction after semi-colon. *however, there are few exceptions. (e.g. ; however, continue the sentence.) Topic 5: Hyphen (-) *used for compounding two different words. *used to connect numbers. (e.g. twenty-two, three-years-old) *can be used after an adverb or before a period. (e.g. anti-capitalism, post-1950) Topic 6: Dash (-) *there are two types: en dash (space-space), em dash (-) *both are widely used. *used to add an essential sentence in between, just like comma. *using dash is advisable, as comma has several other functions and dash has only this one. *if the sentence used after dash is removed, the sentence will still make sense. Topic 7: Parentheses () *used to add extra, non-essential information in a sentence. Topic 8: Speech marks (" ",' ') *used to quote someone. *used while describing a word. (E.g. do you think 'encapsulate' is a beautiful word?) *used to present irony, sarcasm, or skepticism in a sentence.

[@Vlame]

Pin this

[@Anbarasan_Mechanical]

Then, what's the use of '*'?

[@zeeluck7901]

💌

[@Liza-vv8zx]

Thanksgiving

[@tay764]

@@Anbarasan_Mechanical acadimically, according to my info, * is used when u write/use a word or a sentence that needs more explaination...

[@unathinxumalo3948]

That was a quite superb explanation, I however still find the comma as being the most difficult to use.

[@skydangwal175]

Me too 🤣🤣

[@nullimw7276]

Bruh, how do you find comma hard to use?

[@abigailoladipupo5578]

I find en and em dashesto be the confusing punctuation marks to use in my writings. But a million thanks to you both, I do have a better understanding of these punctuations.

[@sehatmandp]

Thanks! The difficult punctuation for me (after watching this video) is no none.

[@sanikagaikwad07]

First of all I would like to thank you. It is very important information through your video's, because l have exam in 2 days and l am watching your video's for getting more information about Grammar. I heartily recommended your video's for my friend's and they also take their comments for your video's so once again thank a lot......!

[@Karrrsten]

Meant not as an offend, but as a well intentioned advide, you could rewatch the part about apostrophes in the video, especially starting at 9:25 and - after that - proofread your comment. Best regards

[@mahdighulami2538]

It was a great lesson. The most confusing punctuation marks for me was semicolon.

[@debreescaemanuelle1843]

I just realized that there are *so many* things I didn't know about punctuations☹️ but I'm glad I found this video. thank you so much😊😊

[@sdcsacascsabsdbcasjkbc4901]

That's cool to know!

[@rudraxisingh8967]

Thank you this really helped and I could understand.

[@muhamedbakkal1798]

The lesson was great. Thank you so much. For me, the most confusing english punctuation was the semicolon.

[@An0nim0u5]

Very helpful. I have an exam tomorrow and this video has answered all my questions about punctuation in a single video.

[@RandomTaco]

Thanks for the explanation, I was very confused with the usage of certain punctuation marks but this video has helped me alot.

[@Univernal]

This has really helped me a lot, Thank you for making this!

[@goytomsyum2784]

I hadn't known some of the punction Now understand much them. Thank you.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Great, Goytom!

[@Bullresearch-India]

The word 'confusion' doesn't exist, if there are teachers like you! 👌

[@milamus4758]

Wouldn't* exist

[@princeowiredu2022]

semi-colons were the most confusing in learning English. But I think this clarified it for me. This should be taught in my country.

[@Zeke6782]

Thank you so much Kasia, Daniel and 'Oxford Online English' organisation for your video this lesson very helpful for correct useing of punctuations because punctuation is very important in grammar and English so I give more important in it. I love Oxford Online English School I will go here one day.

[@Zeke6782]

Hi, I am Ezekiel, I'm 18 from India, Odisha, Rajgangpur

[@Zeke6782]

🤔 ✋Sir! what about using of 'brackets, slash and ellipsis' ?

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

So glad you found the lesson useful! Thanks for the support, Ezekiel.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

We weren't able to cover all of these punctuation marks in the lesson, unfortunately. However, if you have some specific questions or would like clarification we have teachers who would be happy to help you! www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/about-our-online-english-teachers

[@derik2nicolai584]

This video is really amazing and helpful 🌹🌺

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@1968tukta]

I think the most difficult punctuation is semicolon.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Thanks for watching and sharing!

[@farajaa-taweel6217]

It’s used between two sentences that are synonymous; the exact idea but with a different wording

[@gavinyang-wall9916]

Aa long as the 2 sentences are related, on the same topic, the semi-colon is useful :-)

[@blackmetalmagick1]

@@holiix639 What matters is that you came here to learn what it was, and hopefully retained it.

[@hansouth2355]

yes. also useful in a complex sentences too

[@siddhantkumar6340]

Creates clarity in the mind and in the words, thank you

[@bintoujamba3185]

Tanx Oxford online English u have really helped me I only know 5 punctuation mark but, now I know all tanx again

[@FarazKhan-rm4gd]

Dear sir/ma'am I am really enjoying while watching yours wonderful lectures. I am very thankful to you both hardworking lecturers. My question is that I have always face difficulty while using "colons and semicolons". I hope you will explain more.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Thanks for watching and we're glad you enjoy the lessons. Also, we have a lesson on that topic to help you: www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/colons-semicolons.

[@FarazKhan-rm4gd]

@@Oxfordonlineenglish1 dear sir/ma'am thank you so much for sending me a detailed lecture in regard "colons and semicolons" once again thanks.

[@DXBRANA]

It's very important part for correction Sentences. Thank you so much..Love From Bangladesh.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Glad you found the lesson useful, Mashud!

[@zainabali2482]

Thanks a lot for the lessons. All your lessons are really helpful and interesting ❤

[@shiyanapragnadasa3952]

Its very helpful to me. Thank you so much.

[@mariaastudillo7779]

Very good job.......i try to look and look again ,becuse I need to undertand more.Thanks so much.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Thanks for watching, Maria!

[@duakhan7408]

Perfectly described!

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Thanks for the support, Dua!

[@helenet2963]

Thank you so much, your video is so clear that I've understood everything about how using punctuation !

[@shamassshah1228]

Thank you so much for this amazing help.

[@heripurwata]

Good explanation and examples.

[@alihunzai7007]

I m suffering from Englishophobia.Ur videos are much worthy.😁😁

[@pogodancer6875]

This video has helped me so much you wouldn't believe . Thank you

[@buyanaya9166]

Amazing! My questions are solved now. Thanks.

[@ritadias2751]

Fantastica essas aulas ! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@Truth-in-a-minute]

😂😂. That was cool comment for an English video lesson.

[@aminasow987]

That is the best explanation ever! I am taking the act after tomorrow and I needed that. Thank you so much!

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

You're welcome, Amina! We're glad you found it helpful.

[@abrorrustamov245]

In fact, We should say " Thank you " to you for clear explanations

[@nimi_thebat.]

I’m from Thailand. This really helped me. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@raghavay9678]

The most confusing punctuation mark for me, like always, is a comma.🙄 Note: Your explanation style is unique.👍 Well done.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Thanks, Raghava! We also have a lesson on commas. Have you seen it yet? www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/commas

[@aasrabaig2748]

@@Oxfordonlineenglish1 Comma is the most confusing one.

[@haidarhabib3707]

Excellent channel

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Thanks for the support, Haidar!

[@shashinihansika5171]

Thank you so much both of you. And again i thank because you used simple English and it is easy to understand😌

[@MaAngel41]

Thanks you. For me the use of commas and semicolon. But with your explanation I’m going to do better

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Glad it was helpful for you!

[@srithibaid8559]

I find exclamation marks to be most confusing as many times i can't determine whether it is appropriate or not.

[@srithibaid8559]

And i really liked your curated material. Thanks for making this video.

[@zessif.22]

What??? That’s like the easiest

[@haleselemon8506]

Thank You Techr Iam Need sepiking English But Am Reding And Rithging but No.T Sipiking

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Thanks for watching. We have many lessons on speaking which might be helpful for you: www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/free-spoken-english-lessons.

[@Arifkalim]

Tomorrow i am giong to attend writing test, this video is quite helpful for anybody to understand punctuation. Even none fo you know how much you are polite towrds your explanation Thanks alot for giving such a wonderful explanation ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Arifkalim]

Mam how can I apply for post graduation in Oxford University ,this is my dream to learn in it.

[@asoameen5837]

Thank for your effort.. semi colon some times difficult to use for me!

[@madhavanand756]

None is difficult, you explained it brilliantly. I watched this video 3 times 😁

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Thanks for the support, Madhav!

[@ayamerati]

can you help me, please ? give u me ur email please. if u wanted to help me of course

[@madhavanand756]

@@ayamerati Yup, but for what ?... What type of help

[@ayamerati]

punctuation! lol.I have an exam about punctuation and i need some advice . Only if u want

[@madhavanand756]

@@ayamerati Indeed dear-> [e-mail]

[@valeriakuzinska9918]

I think that the most confusing ones are commas or semicolons. Thank you for this video. I've waited for it for a long time!❤

[@charifboudri6626]

Hi, are you an English teacher?

[@valeriakuzinska9918]

@@charifboudri6626 Hi! No, I'm not.

[@Islam_makes_Peaceful_soul]

Hi. I am trying to creat a WhatsApp group for improve the English. Are you interested? Thanks a lot!

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

We're happy you found the lesson useful, Valeria!

[@SijiDavies]

@@Islam_makes_Peaceful_soul yes

[@jessicaadoyi]

im preparing for my nursing TEAS exam and this video has helped me so much

[@ravindraacademy1999]

Hi Kasia .Hi Daniel. Thanks for elaborating a commonly ignored , but most significant segment of english language.Most confusing for me is semi colon.It wiill be extremely productive for the test takers.Welldone n thanks once again.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Thanks so much for sharing! We're glad you enjoyed the lesson.

[@anishsekkilar2228]

thank you so much, this helped me with my 11+ exam, commas were the hardest but with this video, I became like brushing my teeth in the morning! Did I use correct punctuation?

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

We're glad you found the lesson helpful! One tip, use a period instead of a comma here: 'Thank you so much, this helped me with my 11+ exam. Commas were...'. Hope this helps you!

[@ciberiada01]

Yes, except: 1. Capitalize the first letter of a sentence. 2. Comma before "but".

[@somendrasharma4907]

Semicolons actually only have a very subtle difference when compared with commas, that is; they are used to make the reader take longer pauses when he/she reads the text.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Nice, Somendra! That is one of the ways they are used. We have a lesson that talks about semicolons and colons to give a bit more detail: www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/colons-semicolons.

[@mariayolimacardenasruiz6611]

Thanks a lot, this video made punctuation look easier.

[@pempherojere5663]

Thank you for the elaborate explanation.

[@aliyeismiyeva9340]

I think that the confusing punctuation marks are commas, dashes, hyphens and semicolons

[@naeemullah3702]

Thank you sir and ma’am

[@quoctuong1030]

Thank you so much for your lecture.

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@Truth-in-a-minute]

Thanks a million. I usually don't write comments, but this video made me write a comment as it really was helpful to me. Keep going, I liked you guys.

[@MuhammadAli-nv9fz]

Brilliant! Love from Pakistan

[@rukiaabukar768]

Thanks for the lesson. you really covered a lot, and i also gained new punctuation from this lesson, which is the different dashes en and em. The most confusing punctuation was comma. After further study; both online and class courses its somehow clear now, though I still need to understand more.

[@nazrullahkhan224]

It is so amazing that I will listen it two or three times.

[@olabimpealale2047]

Your explanation has removed the confusion i had with the use of colon and semi colon

[@r4z0r84]

I might have to get my colon checked after watching this.

[@majinbuu8350]

11:30 Ha, ever heard of Tesla

[@sam1406]

well was there Teslas in 2019?

[@Mythansar]

Thank you very much for this video. It's really useful! 🙂

[@mahzdeharu3011]

Thanks for the video. It's simple and easy to understand but comma still make me confuse sometimes.

[@kimthelionheart515]

The dashes were the most confusing punctuation mark.

[@charifboudri6626]

Great lesson! Thanks

[@Oxfordonlineenglish1]

Glad you enjoyed it, Charif!

[@AhsanAli-xu1nr]

Phenomenal way of teaching.👏

[@m-vini]

Bro this is so valuable! Thank you so much.