Punctuation Marks:

Colon, Semicolon, Apostrophe, Ellipsis

Discussant: Lorie Jane Regorgo

Professor: Dr. Belen Pili
A colon (:) is a fairly common
punctuation mark. It has three
grammatical uses and several
non-grammatical uses.
 Grammatical
Uses of “:” Colon
• Introducing a list, text and a quote or
explanation
When introducing a list, the colon serves as a
signal that the following words or phrases
comprise a specific set of items, categories, or
instructions.
Examples:
• The bookstore specializes in three subjects: art,
architecture, and graphic design.
• Regular exercise has many benefits, including:
improved cardiovascular health, increased strength
and stamina, and reduced risk of chronic diseases.
• She said: “I’ll be there in five minutes.”
 Grammatical
Uses of “:” Colon
II. Between independent clauses when the
second explains or illustrates the first
The colon is used to separate two independent
clauses when the second explains or illustrates the
first.
EXAMPLES:
• I have very little time to learn the language: my new job
starts in five weeks.
• A college degree is still worth something: a recent survey
revealed that college graduates earned roughly 60% more
than those with only a high school diploma.
• All three of their children are involved in the arts: Richard is
a sculptor, Diane is a pianist, and Julie is a theater director.
 Grammatical
Uses of “:” Colon
II. Between independent clauses when the
second explains or illustrates the first

When two or more sentences follow a colon,

capitalize the first word following the colon.

EXAMPLE:
• He made three points: First, the company was losing
over a million dollars each month. Second, the stock
price was lower than it had ever been. Third, no banks
were willing to loan the company any more money.
 Grammatical
Uses of “:” Colon
III. Emphasis

The colon can be used to emphasize a phrase or

single word at the end of a sentence.

EXAMPLE:
• She had one love: Western Michigan University.
• After three weeks of deliberation, the jury finally
reached a verdict: guilty.
Non-Grammatical
Uses of “:” Colon
• Time
EXAMPLE:
• 11:35 a.m.

2. Ratio
EXAMPLE:
• 1:3
3. Biblical References
EXAMPLE:
• Genesis 1:31
Non-Grammatical
Uses of “:” Colon
4. Other references
EXAMPLE:
• Punctuation Quarterly 4:86–89

5. Correspondence
EXAMPLES:
• Dear Ms. Smith:
• cc: Tom Smith
• Attention: Accounts Payable
• PS: Don’t forget your swimsuit.
A semicolon (;) looks like a full stop on
top of a comma and, in fact, it has some
similarities with both of these punctuation
marks. However, it can’t be used to
replace either one of them. In addition,
even though it looks a lot like a colon (:)
and even has a very similar name, their
uses in a sentence also differ
significantly.
 Uses of a
Semicolon
• To separate two independent clauses.
• A semicolon (;) is used to separate two
independent clauses while still demonstrating
that a close relationship exists between them.

EXAMPLES:
• She loves to read; her favorite books are
mysteries and thrillers.
• My daughter is a teacher; my son is a
doctor.
 Uses of a
Semicolon
• To separate two independent clauses.
coordinating conjunction is omitted

EXAMPLE:
• My daughter is a teacher; my son is a
doctor.

• My daughter is a teacher, and my son is a

doctor.
• My daughter is a teacher, while my son is a
doctor.
 Uses of a
Semicolon
2. Lists and Series

• The semicolon can also be used in lists or

series with internal commas. In this usage, the
semicolon acts as a sort of super-comma.

EXAMPLE:
• The new store will have groceries on the
lower level; luggage, housewares, and
electronics on the ground floor; men’s and
women’s clothing on the second floor; and
books, music, and stationery on the third
floor.
 Uses of a
Semicolon
2. Lists and Series

• The semicolon can also be used in lists or

series with internal commas. In this usage, the
semicolon acts as a sort of super-comma.

EXAMPLE:
• Members of the Western Jazz Quartet are
Tom Knific, bassist; Trent Kynaston,
saxophonist; Steve Zegree, pianist; and Tim
Froncek, drummer.
The apostrophe ( ’ ) is primarily
used for contractions and
possessives.
 Uses of an
Apostrophe
• Contractions
Contractions are shortened forms of words or
phrases created by combining two words and
omitting one or more letters. Apostrophe is used
to replace omitted letters in contractions

• "I am" becomes "I'm."

• "They will" becomes "they'll."
• "Should not" becomes "shouldn't."
 Exercise

• Contractions

would + not = wouldn’t

must + not = mustn't
have + not = haven't
had + not = hadn't
will + not = Won’t
 Exercise

• Contractions

Period Pronunciation of "will" Contraction

Middle English woll won't

Early Modern English wɒl won't

Modern English wɪl won't (not willn't)

 Exercise

• Contractions
ain't = am not
shan't = shall not
daren't = dare not
oughtn't = ought not
 Uses of an
Apostrophe
• Possessives

The apostrophe ('), when used in the context of

possession, serves as a punctuation mark to
indicate that something belongs to or is
associated with someone or something else.
 General Rule for
forming Possessives

1. Singular Nouns
The possessive of a singular noun is formed by
adding an apostrophe and s, whether the singular
noun ends in s or not.

Examples:

• the lawyer’s fee • Tom Jones’s first

• the child’s toy album
• the girl’s parents • Jesus’s disciples
• Xerox’s sales manager
 General Rule for
forming Possessives

2. Plural Nouns
The possessive of a plural noun is formed by
adding only an apostrophe when the noun ends in
s, and by adding both an apostrophe and s when
it ends in a letter other than s.

Examples:

• excessive lawyers’ fees

• children’s toys
• the twins’ parents
• the student teachers’ supervisor
 General Rule for
forming Possessives

3. Shared or individual possessives

Joint possession is indicated by a single

apostrophe.

Examples:
• This course will use Robert Smith and
Rebecca Green’s psychology textbook.
• We were at Stanley and Scarlett’s
house.
 General Rule for
forming Possessives

3. Shared or individual possessives

Individual possession is indicated by apostrophes

for each possessor.

Examples:
• France’s and Italy’s domestic policies
are diverging.
• Chris’s and John’s houses were
designed by the same architect.
An ellipsis, represented by three
consecutive periods (...), is a punctuation
mark used to indicate an intentional
omission of words, a pause or hesitation,
or an unfinished thought.
 Uses of an
Ellipsis
1. Omissions in Quotations:
Ellipses are used to indicate that a part of a quote
or text has been intentionally omitted. This
maintains the original meaning while condensing
the content.

Example:
Original text: "The journey not the arrival
matters."
Quoted with an omission: "The journey ...
matters."
 Uses of an
Ellipsis
1. Omissions in Quotations:
Ellipses are used to indicate that a part of a quote
or text has been intentionally omitted. This
maintains the original meaning while condensing
the content.

Example:
Original text: "The best time to plant a tree
was twenty years ago."
Quoted with an omission: "The best time to
plant a tree... years ago."
 Uses of an
Ellipsis
2. Trailing Off or Unfinished Thought

They can imply an unfinished sentence or

suggest that the speaker is leaving
something unsaid, adding a sense of
mystery or intrigue.

Examples:
• I thought I heard something, but it was
probably just my... never mind.
• There's something about her that I can't
quite put my finger on, but it's like
she's...
 Uses of an
Ellipsis
3. Creating Suspense or Emphasizing
Drama:

Examples:
• The door creaked open, and then...
darkness.
• She opened the box, and inside was... a
surprise.
• He turned the corner and saw... nothing.
 Uses of an
Ellipsis
4. Pauses in Dialogue or Thought:

Examples:
• Well... I'm not sure how to respond.
• I was thinking about going, but... maybe
not.
• There's something I need to... let's
discuss it later.
Approaches in
Using Ellipses
1. Three-dot method:

Example:
I don't know... I'm not sure.
Approaches in
Using Ellipses
2. No spaces method:

Example:
I don't know...I'm not sure.
Approaches in
Using Ellipses
3. Spaces around ellipsis:

Example:
I don't know ... I'm not sure.
Approaches in
Using Ellipses
3. Four-dot method:

Example:
I don't know.... I'm not sure.
for listening