# punctuation

/ˌpəŋktʃuˈeɪʃən/ (US) · /pˌʌŋktʃuːˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/punctuation
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. writing marks

noun · CEFR B1

the marks, such as commas, periods, and question marks, used in writing to separate sentences and clarify meaning.

For teachers: the conventional system of symbols used in written text to indicate pauses, stops, and grammatical relationships between clauses.

- Correct punctuation makes it much easier for people to understand your writing.
- The author's minimalist approach to punctuation often forces the reader to interpret the rhythm of the prose without the aid of commas.

### 2. the act of punctuating

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of adding marks to a piece of writing.

For teachers: the action or process of inserting marks into a text to define its structure.

- The punctuation of the document took longer than the actual writing.
- The meticulous punctuation of the legal contract ensured that no ambiguity could be exploited by the opposing counsel.

### 3. Hebrew vowel marks

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the small marks used in Hebrew writing to show which vowel sounds to use.

For teachers: a system of diacritical marks used in Hebrew script to represent vowels or distinguish between alternative pronunciations.

- Modern Hebrew newspapers often leave out the punctuation to save space.
- Scholars debated whether the addition of punctuation to the ancient scrolls altered the traditional liturgical reading of the text.

## Examples

- Correct punctuation makes your writing much easier to read.
- The editor spent hours fixing the punctuation in the manuscript to ensure the author's message was clear.
- While some modern poets experiment by removing all punctuation, most academic writing requires strict adherence to standard conventions to prevent ambiguity in complex arguments.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.