ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് ഭാഷ പ്രയോഗിക്കുമ്പോൾ ശ്രദ്ധിക്കേണ്ട അടിസ്ഥാനപരമായ കാര്യങ്ങൾ അറിയാം
PUNCTUATION MARKS
The General entered upon his head, his helmet on his feet, a pair of black shoes in his eyes, angry look!
What a shocking scene it would be if someone really appeared like that!
This sentence clearly shows how important punctuation is in making sense. When we place the punctuation marks (especially commas) correctly, the sentence becomes meaningful and clear:
The General entered, upon his head his helmet, a pair of black shoes on his feet, angry look in his eyes.
Just put a few commas in right place and the world returns to order!
Punctuation gives life and rhythm to language.
WHAT IS PUNCTUATION?
Punctuation is the system of symbols or marks used in writing to separate sentences and clarify meaning. Punctuation helps readers understand where to pause, stop, question, or exclaim.
Punctuation Marks (വിരാമചിഹ്നങ്ങളും) എഴുത്തിൽ ആശയം വ്യക്തമായി അവതരിപ്പിക്കാനും വാക്കുകൾക്കിടയിലെ ബന്ധം കാണിക്കാനും സഹായിക്കുന്ന ചിഹ്നങ്ങളാണ്. ഇവ വായനയ്ക്ക് സംഗീതവും താളവും നൽകുന്നു.
Punctuation is the soul of writing. Without it,
meaning collapses and rhythm dies. Punctuation is like traffic signals of language-It tells the reader when to stop, pause, or move ahead.
വിരാമചിഹ്നങ്ങളിൽ വരുന്ന ചെറിയ മാറ്റം ഉണ്ടാ ക്കുന്ന അർഥവ്യത്യാസം വളരെ വലുതായിരിക്കും. Let's cat, Grandma (മുത്തശ്ശി, നമുക്ക് ഭക്ഷിക്കാം. Let's eat Grandma (നമുക്ക് മുത്തശ്ശിയെ ഭക്ഷിക്കാം
MAJOR PUNCTUATION MARKS
(1) Full Stop/Period ()
Use: To end a statement or a complete thought. ഒരു വാക്യത്തിന്റെ അവസാനം ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നു.
Examples:
She is a teacher.
The sun rises in the east.
I like coffee.
He went home.
(2) Comma ()
Use: To show a short pause or separate items in a list.
Examples:
I bought apples, bananas, and oranges. If it rains, we will stay home.
Thank you, my friend.
After lunch, we went to school.
(3) Semicolon ()
Use: To link two closely related ideas. ബന്ധമുള്ള രണ്ട് സ്വതന്ത്രവാക്യങ്ങൾ കൂട്ടിച്ചേർ
ക്കാൻ,
Examples:
She likes tea; he likes coffee.
The night was dark; the stars were bright. I called her; she didn't answer.
It's raining; we can't go out.
(4) Colon (:)
Use: To introduce a list, explanation or quotation. Examples:
She has three pets: a cat, a dog, and a parrot. He said: "Honesty is the best policy."
These are my hobbies: reading, painting. travelling.
The rule is simple: be on time.
(5) Question Mark (?)
Use: To end a direct question. Examples:
Where are you going? Do you like ice cream? Who is your teacher? Can you help me?
(5) Question Mark (?)
Use: To end a direct question. Examples:
Where are you going? Do you like ice cream? Who is your teacher? Can you help me?
(6) Exclamation Mark (!)
Use: To show surprise, emotion, or strong feeling.
Examples: What a beautiful day! Oh no! I forgot my bag! Congratulations! You won the prize! Stop! Don't touch that!
(7) Apostrophe ( ’ )
Use: Shows possession or contraction (ഉടമ സ്ഥത കാണിക്കാനോ വാക്കുകരം ചുരുക്കാനോ)
Examples: John's car is red. It's raining. (= It is raining.) Don't be late. (= Do not be late.) The children's toys are on the floor.
(8) Quotation Marks (" ")
Use: Enclose direct speech or quoted text.
Examples: She said, "I'm tired." "Truth alone triumphs," said Gandhiji. "Where are you?" he asked. The poem begins with "Once upon a midnight dreary."
(9) Hyphen ( - )
Use: To join compound words or numbers.
Examples: Mother-in-law Twenty-one Well-known author Part-time job
(10) Dash (-)
Use: To show sudden pause, break or emphasis.
Examples: He was late - as usual! I knew it - she was lying! You may come - if you wish. The truth is simple - he was wrong.
(11) Parentheses/Round Brackets ( )
Use: To add extra or explanatory information.
Examples: He visited India (his homeland) last year. My brother (who lives in Delhi) is a doctor. Please read the note (page 12). The answer (I think) is correct.
(12) Square Brackets [ ]
Use: To insert editorial or explanatory notes. വാക്കുകരംക്കിടയിൽ വിശദീകരണം ചേർക്കാൻ.
Examples:
She [the teacher] was very kind.
He said it was "the best day [of his life]"
The book was published in 1998 [revised edition]
That's what he told me [yesterday]
(13) Ellipsis (...) Use: To show omission, hesitation, or an unfinished thought. Examples: I was thinking... maybe we should go. Well... I'm not sure. To be continued... He said, "I will always..."(voice trails off)
(14) Slash ( / ) oblique/bar Use: To show alternatives or separation. Examples: He/she will come. Please press yes/no. The exam will be held on 10/11/2025. Input/output devices are essential.
PUNCTUATION IN COMPLEX SENTENCES
After introductory phrases:
After dinner, we went for a walk. In the morning, birds were singing. At last, the rain stopped. During holidays, we stayed home.
Before coordinating conjunctions (and, but, so, yet)
He was tired, but he continued working. She is young, yet very wise. We wanted to go, but it was raining. I studied hard, so I passed.
In quotations inside quotations
She said, "He told me, 'Don't worry.'" "I heard him say, 'Good luck!'" said John. "Do you know the poem 'Daffodils'?" she asked. The teacher said, "Write the word 'honesty' on the board."
COMMON ERRORS
It's tail is long. (incorrect) Its tail is long. (correct) (It's = it is / Its = belonging to it) What a beautiful day? (incorrect) What a beautiful day! (correct) She said "hello". (incorrect) She said, "Hello."(correct) The boys book is new. (incorrect) The boy's book is new. (correct)
