Punctuation & Its Powers Vocabulary

joins independent clauses without a conjunction; signals close relationship

“I came; I saw; I conquered. Use it when a period is too strong, a comma too weak.”

Origin: Greek `hemi-` (half) + Latin `colon` (clause)

sets off parenthetical content with emphasis—like this—or signals a break

“He was going to win—or so he thought. The em dash adds drama.”

Origin: Named for its width: the letter 'm'

indicates ranges or connections between items

“Pages 10–15. The London–Paris train. The Clinton–Gore campaign.”

Origin: Named for its width: the letter 'n'

the comma before 'and' in a list of three or more

“I love my parents, Batman, and Wonder Woman. (Without it: my parents are superheroes.)”

Origin: Advocated by Oxford University Press style guide

introduces what follows—a list, explanation, or elaboration

“She had one goal: victory. A colon says 'namely' or 'as follows.'”

Origin: Greek `kolon` (limb, clause)

indicates omission, trailing off, or suspense

“She opened the door and saw... nothing. The ellipsis creates pause.”

Origin: Greek `elleipsis` (omission), from `elleipein` (to fall short)

an inserted phrase that adds information without changing the main sentence

“The CEO (who had just arrived) immediately took charge.”

Origin: Greek `parentithenai` (to put in beside)

a noun phrase that renames or explains another noun

“My brother, a doctor, lives in Boston. Set off by commas if non-essential.”

Origin: Latin `apponere` (to put near)