English punctuation

English punctuation is the set of conventions for using marks in written English to clarify sentence structure, pauses, emphasis, and relationships between words and clauses.

Full stop: A punctuation mark used chiefly to end a declarative sentence or indicate an abbreviation. It marks the most common boundary between complete written statements.
Independent clause: A clause that can stand as a complete sentence because it expresses a complete thought. Its boundaries determine whether a comma, semicolon, or full stop is appropriate.
British and American punctuation: The differing punctuation conventions commonly associated with British and American English. Quotation-mark placement and some other conventions vary between these standards.
Direct speech: Written representation of the exact words spoken by a person or character. Quotation marks and commas organize speech tags and spoken words.
Printing press: A machine for producing texts by transferring inked type or plates onto paper. Printing helped spread more consistent punctuation practices across English texts.
Comma: A punctuation mark used to separate elements within sentences and to mark certain clause boundaries. Its placement often determines how sentence parts are grouped and interpreted.
Comma splice: A sentence error in which a comma joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction. It shows why a comma alone cannot always connect complete clauses.
Restrictive clause: A clause that identifies or limits the noun it modifies and is essential to the intended reference. Unlike supplementary clauses, it is generally not separated from the sentence by commas.
Dialogue: A written exchange of spoken words between characters or participants. Dialogue conventions use quotation marks, commas, and paragraph breaks to track speakers.
William Caxton: An English merchant and printer who established the first printing press in England in the fifteenth century. His printed books helped shape early conventions in written English.

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