Here's a breakdown:
Common Punctuation Marks:
* Period (.): Ends declarative sentences and some abbreviations.
* Comma (,): Separates elements in a list, phrases, and clauses.
* Question Mark (?): Indicates a question.
* Exclamation Point (!): Shows emphasis or strong emotion.
* Semicolon (;): Connects independent clauses closely related in meaning.
* Colon (:): Introduces a list, explanation, or quote.
* Apostrophe ('): Shows possession or omitted letters.
* Quotation Marks (" "): Indicate direct speech or quotations.
* Hyphen (-): Joins words or parts of words.
* Dash (—): Indicates a break in thought or a parenthetical element.
* Parentheses (()): Enclose additional information.
* Brackets ([]): Enclose explanatory or clarifying material.
* Ellipsis (...): Shows omitted words or a pause.
Other Symbols Used in Punctuation:
* Slash (/): Used for dates, fractions, and alternatives.
* Asterisk (*): Can indicate footnotes, notes, or emphasis.
* Number Sign (#): Used for references and in social media.
Variations Across Languages and Styles:
* Different languages use different punctuation marks. For example, Spanish uses an inverted question mark at the beginning of a question.
* Different writing styles and publishing houses may have their own conventions.
Therefore, there isn't a single "correct" answer. The number of punctuation marks you consider "standard" depends on your definition and the specific context you're working with.