Improving your English punctuation:1
It's important to know the rules of English punctuation when you write, as using the wrong punctuation may lead to misunderstandings. Using the correct punctuation is especially important when you are writing to impress, such as when you are applying for a new job, or when you are writing to a customer.
Here is a guide to the rules for using the more common punctuation marks in English.
When to use capital letters
1. At the beginning of the sentence
It's cold today.
2. For the personal pronoun "I"
I live in a big city.
3. For "proper nouns"
- names and titles: Sarah, Mr Stevens, Doctor Roberts
- places and countries: London, England,
- nationalities and languages: He is French, She speaks Italian
- companies, products and brands: Microsoft, Coca Cola
- institutions: The Ashmolean Museum, The Department of Trade
- religions and religious festivals: Christianity, Ramadan
- abbreviated names: The BBC
4. For books, television and radio programmes, newspapers and magazines
The Simpsons, The Times.
5. Days of the week and months of the year
Wednesday, August 10th.
6. Historical periods or events
The Russian Revolution
7. Rivers, mountains and lakes and geographical regions
The Amazon, The Middle East
8. In addresses
Flat 2, 16 London Road.
It's important to know the rules of English punctuation when you write, as using the wrong punctuation may lead to misunderstandings. Using the correct punctuation is especially important when you are writing to impress, such as when you are applying for a new job, or when you are writing to a customer.
Here is a guide to the rules for using the more common punctuation marks in English.
When to use capital letters
1. At the beginning of the sentence
It's cold today.
2. For the personal pronoun "I"
I live in a big city.
3. For "proper nouns"
- names and titles: Sarah, Mr Stevens, Doctor Roberts
- places and countries: London, England,
- nationalities and languages: He is French, She speaks Italian
- companies, products and brands: Microsoft, Coca Cola
- institutions: The Ashmolean Museum, The Department of Trade
- religions and religious festivals: Christianity, Ramadan
- abbreviated names: The BBC
4. For books, television and radio programmes, newspapers and magazines
The Simpsons, The Times.
5. Days of the week and months of the year
Wednesday, August 10th.
6. Historical periods or events
The Russian Revolution
7. Rivers, mountains and lakes and geographical regions
The Amazon, The Middle East
8. In addresses
Flat 2, 16 London Road.