Punctuation marks are like traffic signals for writing. They guide the reader, making your sentences clear, precise, and easy to understand. Incorrect punctuation can change the meaning of a sentence or make it confusing.

The comma is the most frequently used punctuation mark and has many functions.
- Separating Items in a List: Use commas to separate three or more items in a series.
Example: I bought apples, bananas, and oranges.
- Separating Independent Clauses: Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so - FANBOYS) when it joins two independent clauses.
Example: She finished her homework, and then she watched TV.
- After an Introductory Element: Use a comma after an introductory phrase or clause.
Example: After finishing his meal, he left the restaurant.
- Setting Off Non-Essential Information: Use commas to set off information that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.
Example: My brother, who lives in Delhi, is visiting next week.
- Separating Adjectives: Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives that describe the same noun when the adjectives are coordinate.
Example: He drove a fast, red car.
- Direct Address: Use commas to set off a name or title when speaking directly to someone.
Example: Rohan, please come here.
- Dates and Addresses: Use commas to separate parts of dates and addresses.
Example: June 24, 2025.

The semicolon is stronger than a comma but weaker than a period. It connects related independent clauses or separates complex items in a list.
- Connecting Related Independent Clauses: Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning, without using a coordinating conjunction.
Example: The weather was terrible; we decided to stay indoors.
- Separating Items in a Complex List: Use semicolons to separate items in a list when those items themselves contain commas.
Example: The speakers were Dr. Sharma, a historian; Ms. Gupta, a scientist; and Mr. Khan, a writer.

The colon is used to introduce a list, an explanation, a definition, or a quotation.
- Introducing a List: Use a colon after an independent clause to introduce a list.
Example: You need to buy three items: milk, bread, and eggs.
- Introducing an Explanation or Definition: Use a colon to introduce a word, phrase, or clause that explains or elaborates on the preceding independent clause.
Example: He had one goal: to succeed.
- Introducing a Quotation: Use a colon to introduce a long or formal quotation.
Example: As the proverb states: "Look before you leap."

The apostrophe has two main uses: to show possession and to form contractions.
- Possession: For singular nouns, add 's.
Example: the dog's tail, Mary's book
For plural nouns ending in 's', add only an apostrophe.
Example: the boys' school, the teachers' room
For irregular plural nouns (not ending in 's'), add 's.
Example: the children's toys, the women's rights
- Contractions: To show missing letters in a shortened form of two words.
Example: do not = don't, cannot = can't, it is = it's, they are = they're.

Hyphen: Joins two or more words to form a compound word, or to link parts of a word that are hyphenated.
Example: well-known author, mother-in-law, twenty-five
Dash (Em-dash): Longer than a hyphen. Used for emphasis, to set off an abrupt change in thought, or to indicate an interruption.
Example: He packed everything for his trip—clothes, books, and even his lucky charm.

Used to enclose extra, non-essential information or explanations that clarify a point.
Example: The capital of France (Paris) is a beautiful city.

Used to enclose direct quotations, titles of short works (poems, articles), or to indicate words used in a special sense.
Example: She said, "I will be there by noon."
Example: Have you read the poem "The Road Not Taken"?