1. Period (.)
* Use:
* To mark the end of a declarative sentence (a statement).
* After abbreviations.
* In some cases, after acronyms (though this is becoming less common).
* Examples:
* The dog barked loudly.
* Dr. Smith is a physician.
* The U.S. is a large country.
2. Question Mark (?)
* Use:
* To mark the end of an interrogative sentence (a question).
* Examples:
* What time is it?
* Are you going to the party?
3. Exclamation Mark (!)
* Use:
* To mark the end of an exclamatory sentence (a sentence expressing strong emotion).
* After interjections.
* Examples:
* Wow! That's amazing!
* Ouch! That hurt!
4. Comma (,)
* Use:
* To separate items in a list.
* To separate independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
* To set off introductory phrases and clauses.
* To separate nonessential clauses and phrases from the main clause.
* After a dependent clause that comes before an independent clause.
* To separate words or phrases that are in a series.
* To indicate a pause or a change in thought.
* Examples:
* I bought apples, bananas, and oranges.
* The dog barked, and the cat hissed.
* After the game, we went to dinner.
* My dog, who is very friendly, loves to play fetch.
* When I went to the store, I bought milk, eggs, and bread.
* The sky was blue, the birds were singing, and the air was fresh.
5. Semicolon (;)
* Use:
* To join two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning.
* To separate items in a list when those items contain commas.
* Examples:
* The game was tied; the crowd was going wild.
* The students visited the following countries: France, Germany, and Italy; Spain, Portugal, and Greece; and England, Scotland, and Wales.
6. Colon (:)
* Use:
* To introduce a list, explanation, or example.
* After a salutation in a formal letter.
* Between hours and minutes in time.
* To separate titles and subtitles.
* Examples:
* I have three favorite hobbies: reading, writing, and hiking.
* Dear Sir or Madam:
* The meeting is scheduled for 2:00 PM.
* The book is titled "The Art of Writing: A Guide to Effective Communication."
7. Apostrophe (')
* Use:
* To indicate possession.
* To form contractions.
* To show the omission of letters in a word.
* Examples:
* The dog's tail wagged.
* It's a beautiful day.
* Don't forget your homework.
8. Quotation Marks (" ")
* Use:
* To enclose direct speech.
* To indicate titles of short works (songs, poems, articles, etc.).
* To set off words or phrases that are being used in a special way.
* Examples:
* "Hello," she said.
* The song "Imagine" is very popular.
* The word "literally" is often misused.
9. Hyphen (-)
* Use:
* To join words together to form compound words.
* To divide words at the end of a line.
* To indicate a range of numbers or dates.
* Examples:
* He is a well-known actor.
* The book was very well-writ-ten.
* The store is open from 9-5.
10. Dash (-)
* Use:
* To indicate a break in thought or a sudden change in direction.
* To set off parenthetical elements.
* To emphasize a word or phrase.
* Examples:
* I was about to leave—but then I remembered my keys.
* The book—which I highly recommend—is available online.
* The dog—a big, furry golden retriever—was very friendly.
11. Parentheses ( )
* Use:
* To enclose additional information, explanations, or examples.
* To set off nonessential clauses.
* Examples:
* The dog (a golden retriever) was very friendly.
* The book (which was published in 1998) is still popular today.
12. Brackets [ ]
* Use:
* To enclose explanatory material added by someone other than the original author.
* To clarify a word or phrase.
* Examples:
* "He [the dog] was very friendly."
* The book was published in [1998].
13. Ellipsis (...)
* Use:
* To indicate the omission of words or sentences.
* To show a pause or a trailing off of thought.
* Examples:
* "The cat sat on the mat...and then it walked away."
* He was so tired...he couldn't even talk.
These are the primary grammar marks used in English writing. Keep in mind that there are specific rules and conventions surrounding the use of each mark, and it's best to consult a style guide or grammar textbook for comprehensive information.