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punctuation

n. uncountable
B1 Intermediate US //ˌpəŋktʃuˈeɪʃən// UK //pˌʌŋktʃuːˈeɪʃən// punc·tu·a·tion

n. the marks, such as periods and commas, used in writing to separate sentences and clarify meaning. You use it to show where a thought ends or where the reader should pause.

n. the system of marks used in writing to separate sentences and their elements and to clarify meaning. Refers to both the marks themselves and the rules governing their application.


SIMPLE

Correct punctuation makes your writing much easier to read.

CONTEXTUAL

The editor spent hours fixing the punctuation in the manuscript to ensure the author's message was clear.

COMPLEX

While some modern poets experiment by removing all punctuation, most academic writing requires strict adherence to standard conventions to prevent ambiguity in complex arguments.

Origin

Borrowed from Medieval Latin punctuātiō (“a marking with points, a writing, agreement”), from punctuō (“to mark with points, settle”). Morphologically, punctuate + -ion.

Pitfall

I used many punctuations in my essay.I used a lot of punctuation in my essay.Punctuation is uncountable; to refer to individual items, use the phrase 'punctuation marks'.

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