English Punctuation Guide - English Writing Lesson

英语语法 — 标点符号

Hi, I’m Kasia.

嗨，我是Kasia。

Welcome to Oxford Online English!

欢迎来到Oxford Online English！

In this lesson, you can learn about English punctuation.

在本节课里，您可以学到 英语的标点符号。

You’ll see the most common punctuation marks in English, what they’re called, and how

您会看到最常见的英语标点符号， 它们叫什么，以及怎样

to use them.

使用它们。

This lesson has many sections.

本节课有很多单元。

If you want, you can just watch the sections you need.

如果您想，您可以只看 您要看的单元。

Using punctuation correctly is critical for your English writing.

正确地使用标点符号对 您的英语写作十分重要。

Punctuation problems can make a bad impression or lead to misunderstandings.

标点符号问题可能造成一个坏的 印象，或导致误解。

If you need to improve your English writing, check out our website: Oxford Online English

如果您要提高您的英语写作技能， 看看我们的网站：Oxford Online English

dot com.

dot com。

There are many free lessons to help you with your writing, or you can take writing lessons

有很多免费课程对您的写作有帮助， 或者您可以找我们诸多

with one of our professional teachers.

专业老师中一位上写作课程。

But first, let’s look at one of the most basic English punctuation marks.

但是，首先，我们看看最基础的 英语标点符号中的一个。

A full stop is also called a period in American English.

一个句号“full stop”在美式 英语里也称为一个“period”。

Use a full stop at the end of a full sentence.

在一个完整句子的句尾使用句号。

Don’t put a space before the full stop; put one after.

在句号前面不能有一个空格， 但在后面有一个空格。

A full sentence could be short and simple, like this: ‘I got there early.’

一个完整的句子可以是短的并 简单的，像这个：“I got there early.”

A full sentence could also be longer and more complex, like this: ‘Although my train arrived

一个完整的句子也可以是长的并更 复杂的，像这个：”Although my train arrived

late, and I was sure I wouldn’t make it on time, I actually got there slightly early.’

late, and I was sure I wouldn’t make it on time, I actually got there slightly early.“

Be careful; the idea of a ‘full sentence’ is not flexible, and it depends on the grammatical

要小心；一个”full sentence“的主旨 不是灵活的，它

structure of the sentence.

取决于句子的语法结构。

For example, can you see the mistake in this sentence?

例如，您可以看到这句的 错误码？

The first part, which ends with the word ‘there’, is a full sentence.

用单词”there“结尾的第一部分 是一个完整的句子。

You can’t choose to put a comma and continue; you need a full stop, or a semicolon, or you

您不能选择用一个逗号，然后继续； 您要用一个句号，或一个分号，

need to add a conjunction.

或您要添加一个连接词。

Learning about sentence structure, and how to make clauses into longer sentences, is

如果您想正确地使用英语标点符号， 学习句型结构和怎样把子句

important if you want to use English punctuation correctly.

变成更长的句子， 是很重要的。

Full stops are also used in some abbreviations—when you make words shorter.

句号也用于一些缩写 — 在您让单词变更短时。

There are three kinds of abbreviation.

有三种缩写类型。

One: abbreviations which *never* have full stops, like ‘BBC’, ‘CIA’ or ‘UN’.

一： *从来不会*有句号的缩写， 像“BBC”、“CIA”或“UN”。

Two: abbreviations which *always* use full stops, like ‘e.g.’, ‘i.e.’ or ‘etc.’

二： *总是*用句号的缩写， 像”e.g.“、”i.e.“或”etc.“。

Three… wait, can you guess?

三… 等一下，您可以猜一下吗？

Some abbreviations are sometimes written with full stops, and sometimes without.

一些缩写有时有句号， 有时没有。

For example, mister, doctor, or AM and PM for talking about the time.

例如，mister、doctor、或 谈论时间的AM和PM。

Titles, like ‘mister’, ‘Mrs’ or ‘doctor’, are generally written without a full stop

头衔，像是”mister“、”Mrs“或”doctor“， 在英国英语里书写通常

in British English, and with one in American English.

没有句号，在美式英语 里有一个句号。

In British English, it’s more common to write AM and PM in lower-case letters with

在英国英语里，小写 AM和PM书写

full stops.

有句号更常见。

In American English, it’s more common to use capital letters and no full stops.

在美式英语里，使用大写 没句号更常见。

However, both forms are commonly used and you can choose which you prefer.

然而，两种形式都是常常在用的， 您可以选您喜欢的用。

Commas have three main jobs.

逗号有三个主要的功能。

Two of them are very simple.

其中两个很简单。

First, use a comma to separate items in a list, like this: ‘Their house has two bedrooms,

首先，使用一个逗号来分隔开一个 清单里的事项，像这个：“Their house

a large living room, two bathrooms and a terrace.’

has two bedrooms, a large living room, two bathrooms and a terrace.”

After each item in your list, put a comma.

在您的清单里每一个事项的后面，使用逗号。

Use the word ‘and’ between the last two items on your list: ‘To make this, you’ll

在您的清单的最后两个事项之间 使用单词“and”：“To make this, you’ll

need eggs, flour and sugar.’

need eggs, flour and sugar.”

You can choose to put a comma before ‘and’ or not.

您可以选择在“and”之前使用 一个逗号，或者不用。

Both styles are possible!

两种方式都可以。

You also need a comma with certain conjunctions, particularly ‘and’, ‘but’, ‘so’

您还需要一个带某些连接词的 逗号，特别是“and”、“but”、“so”

and ‘or’.

和“or”。

For example: ‘You can ask her, but I don’t think she’ll agree.’

例如：“You can ask her, but I don’t think she’ll agree.”

‘I won’t be there till ten, so don’t wait for me.’

“I won’t be there till ten, so don’t wait for me.”

The last way to use commas is also the most complicated.

使用逗号的最后一个方法 也是最复杂的。

Use a comma—or often two commas, in a pair—to add non-essential information to your sentence.

使用一个逗号 — 或常常是一对两个逗号 — 来给您的句子添加非必要的信息。

What does ‘non-essential’ mean?

“non-essentia”是什么意思？

It means that you could remove the information, and the sentence would still make sense and

那意思是您可以移除信息， 句子仍然会有意义并

have the same basic meaning.

有相同的基本意思。

This is common when you use an adverb or linking phrase at the start of a sentence.

当您在句首使用一个副词或 连接短语时，这是常见的。

For example: ‘Apparently, he’s been suffering from depression for several years.’

例如：“Apparently, he’s been suffering from depression for several years.”

It’s also common when you add extra information in the middle of a sentence, like this: ‘Yakutsk,

当您在一个句子中间添加额外信息时， 那是常见的，像是这个：“Yakutsk,

which is in northern Siberia, has the coldest winters of any city in the world.’

which is in northern Siberia, has the coldest winters of any city in the world.”

Colons have one main job: they introduce examples, explanations or details.

冒号有一个主要的功能：他们 引入例子、解释或细节。

Look at one example: ‘Rapid urbanisation has led to multiple problems: congestion,

看一个例子：“Rapid urbanisation has led to multiple problems: congestion,

air pollution and a shortage of affordable housing for families.’

air pollution and a shortage of affordable housing for families.”

Here, the sentence before the colon mentions a general idea—multiple problems—and the

在这里，冒号之前的句子提及一个 一般主旨 — 多种问题 —

sentence after the colon explains what these problems are.

冒号之后的句子解释 那些问题是什么。

This is very common with colons; you mention something general before the colon, then you

使用冒号是很常见的；您在冒号 之前提及某些概括事情，

explain it in more detail after the colon.

然后您在冒号之后用 更多细节解释它。

Let’s see two more examples of this: ‘I can promise you one thing: you won’t regret

我们再多看这两个例子： “I can promise you one thing: you won’t regret

your decision.’

your decision.”

‘He left all of his money to his best friend in the whole world: his cat.’

“He left all of his money to his best friend in the whole world: his cat.”

Semicolons are most similar to a full stop.

分号是与一个句号最相似。

They’re used at the end of a full sentence.

它们用于一个整句的结尾。

So, what’s the difference?

那么，区别是什么？

Using a semicolon shows that your ideas before and after the semicolon are connected.

使用一个分号显示在分号之前和 之后的您的想法是相连的。

For example: ‘He’s so stubborn; it’s impossible to convince him to change his ideas

例如：“He’s so stubborn; it’s impossible to convince him to change his ideas

even a little.’

even a little.”

Here, you have two sentences, but they’re both talking about the same idea: him and

在这里，您有两个句子，但是它们两个是在谈论同一个想法： 他和

his stubborn character.

他的倔强个性。

The semicolon emphasises that the ideas are connected.

分号强调想法是相连的。

You never *need* to use a semicolon, but they can be very useful.

您从来不 *需要*用一个分号， 但是他们可以是很有用的。

Using a semicolon is a very easy way to make connections between your ideas, which can

使用一个分号是在您的一个想法之间 做连接的很容易的方式，能

help you to write clearly and efficiently.

帮您写得更清晰和更有效率。

When you use a semicolon, you don’t need to use any conjunctions or linking phrases.

当您使用一个分号时，您不需要 使用任何连词或连接短语。

For example: ‘Companies won’t consider applications which look rushed; it’s better

例如：“Companies won’t consider applications which look rushed; it’s better

to apply to fewer companies, but put more time into each application.’

to apply to fewer companies, but put more time into each application.”

However, there are some linking words which can be used with a semicolon, like ‘however’:

然而，有一些可以搭配一个分号 使用的连接单词，像“however”：

‘I don’t regret it; however, I would do things differently if I had another chance.’

“I don’t regret it; however, I would do things differently if I had another chance.”

Like commas, apostrophes have more than one job, which can make them more difficult to

像逗号一样，撇号有超过一种 功能，这会让正确地

use correctly.

使用它们更困难。

Firstly, use an apostrophe in contractions to replace a missing letter.

首先，在缩略形式使用一个撇号来 取代一个漏掉的字母。

For example: ‘She doesn’t eat cheese.’

例如：“She doesn’t eat cheese.”

‘You’re right about that.’

“You’re right about that.”

You also use an apostrophe to show that something belongs to a person: ‘Why have you got Dean’s

您也使用一个撇号来显示某些属于 某人的东西：“Why have you got Dean’s

jacket?’

jacket?”

You can even connect multiple nouns together like this: ‘Her mother’s cousin’s son

您甚至可以将多个名词连在一起， 像是这个：“Her mother’s cousin’s son

won a Nobel Prize.’

won a Nobel Prize.”

What if the word you want to use already ends with ‘s’?

如果您想使用的单词 已经用“s”结尾了呢？

Here’s the rule: if the ‘s’ after the apostrophe is pronounced, then you should

这里是规则：如果撇号之后的“s” 是发音的，那么您也要

write it, too: ‘We met at Boris’s barbecue.’

写它：“We met at Boris’s barbecue.”

If you don’t pronounce an extra ‘s’, then don’t write one; just add an apostrophe

如果您不发一个额外的“s”音， 那么不要写它；就加一个撇号

to the end of the word, like this: ‘We could stay at my parents’ house for a couple of

到单词的结尾，像这个：“We could stay at my parents’ house for a couple of

days.’

days.”

Finally, you don’t generally use an apostrophe to write plurals.

最后，您通常不会在写 复数时用一个撇号。

Even if you’re making a proper name plural, like: ‘There were four Ambers in my group’,

即使是您把专有名称变成复数，像是： ”There were four Ambers in my group“，

you don’t use an apostrophe for the plural.

您在复数没有用一个撇号。

However, there’s one exception to this.

然而，这有一个例外。

Do you know it?

您知道它吗？

If you need to make a letter plural, then you add an apostrophe, like this: ‘How many

如果您想要一个字母成复数，那么 您添加一个撇号，像这个：

m’s are there in ‘accommodation’?’

”How many m’s are there in ‘accommodation’?“

Hyphens are used to make compound words, especially compound adjectives.

连字符用于造复合词， 特别是复合形容词。

Compound words are words made of two or more other words.

复合词由两个或 更多的单词构成。

For example: ‘It’s a six-hour flight to Mumbai.’

例如：“It’s a six-hour flight to Mumbai.”

The adjective ‘six-hour’ is made from the two words ‘six’ and ‘hour’, and

形容词“six-hour”由“six”和“hour” 两个单词构成，

you use a hyphen to connect the two parts.

您使用一个连字符去连接两个部分。

Here’s another example: ‘It was surprisingly tasty for a five-dollar meal.’

这里是另一个例子：“It was surprisingly tasty for a five-dollar meal.”

However, hyphen use in compound words is inconsistent and changing.

然而，连字符用于复合词 是不一致且变化的。

Generally, the trend is to use fewer hyphens, but there are some cases where you need to

通常，趋势是要用更少的连字符， 但是，有一些您每次都要

use a hyphen every time.

使用一个连字符的事例。

Compound words made with numbers almost always have hyphens.

用数字构成的复合词几乎 总是有连字符。

For example: ‘They have a three-year-old daughter.’

例如：“They have a three-year-old daughter.”

The adjective ‘three-year-old’ is made with a number, and it’s always written with

形容词“three-year-old”用一个 数字构成，它总是用

hyphens.

连字符写。

You also need to use hyphens when you use certain prefixes, like ‘ex-’ or ‘self-’.

在您使用某些前缀时，您也要使用 连字符，像是“ex-”或“self-”。

Words with the prefix ‘non-’ are also often hyphenated.

有前缀“non-”的单词通常 也是用连字符的。

For example: ‘His ex-wife was promoted and is now his direct manager.’

例如：“His ex-wife was promoted and is now his direct manager.”

‘Non-smokers generally need to pay much less for health insurance.’

“Non-smokers generally need to pay much less for health insurance."

‘Self-driving cars may become popular one day, but for now the technology is too underdeveloped.’

"Self-driving cars may become popular one day, but for now the technology is too underdeveloped."

If you add a prefix to a proper noun or a number, you also need a hyphen, as in: ‘anti-European’

如果您给一个专有名词或一个数字添加一个前缀， 您也需要连字符，像是在：”anti-European“

‘post-1950 politics’ Finally, you also need to use a hyphen in

”post-1950 politics“最后， 在复合数字和分数，

compound numbers and fractions.

您也需要一个连字符。

For example: ‘three-quarters of the population’

例如： ”three-quarters of the population“

‘twenty-three’ ‘twenty-three’

”twenty-three“ ”twenty-three“

If you're not sure whether to use a hyphen in a number or not, just write the number.

如果您不确定在一个数字要用一个连字符， 还是不用，那就只写数字。

Dashes might look like hyphens, but they aren’t the same.

破折号也许看上去像连字符，但是， 它们是不一样的。

First, there are two kinds of dashes, called en dashes and em dashes.

首先，有两种类型的破折号，称为 连接号en dashes和破折号em dashes。

En dashes have a space on either side of the dash – like this.

连接号En dashes的两侧各有一个空格 – 像是这个。

Em dashes join onto the words before and after—like this.

破折号Em dashes加入前后单词 中间—像这个。

You don’t need to worry about this; both en dashes and em dashes do the same job.

您不要担心这个； 连接号en dashes和 破折号em dashes两者担当相同的功用。

Choose one and stick with it.

选择一个并持续用它。

So, what do you use dashes for?

那么，您用破折号在什么地方？

Dashes are used to add extra information to a sentence.

破折号用于给一个句子 添加额外的信息。

Remember that commas can also do this.

记住逗号也可以这样用。

‘Extra’ information means that you could remove the information from the sentence and

“Extra”信息意思是您可以从句子里移除信息，且

everything would still make sense.

一切仍然是有意义的。

Dashes are preferable when the extra information doesn’t fit well with the grammar or flow

当额外的信息不适合句子的 语法和结构流程时，

of the sentence.

破折号更受欢迎。

For example: ‘He had escaped—or so he thought.’

例如：“He had escaped—or so he thought.”

Whether something fits the ‘flow’ of your sentence or not is subjective.

某事是否适合您的句子的 “flow”是主观的。

That means you can often choose whether to use dashes or commas to add some extra information

那意味着您通常可以选择用破折号 还是逗号来在您的句子里

to your sentence.

添加一些额外的信息。

For example: ‘The number of stars in the Milky Way—including many which are undetectable—is

例如：“The number of stars in the Milky Way—including many which are undetectable—is

estimated to be over 400 billion.’

estimated to be over 400 billion.”

Here, you could replace the dashes with commas.

在这里，您可以用逗号取代破折号。

Both versions are correct.

两个版本都是正确的。

However, we recommend choosing dashes when you can.

然而，我们推荐在您可以的 时候选择破折号。

That’s because dashes only do one job, whereas commas can do multiple jobs.

那是因为破折号仅仅担当一种功能， 而逗号可以担当多种功能。

Using dashes makes things clearer, because your reader doesn’t have to think about

使用破折号让事情更清晰， 因为您的读者不必去考虑

why the punctuation is there.

为什么这里有标点符号。

There are two kinds of speech marks: single and double.

有两种引号：单 引号和双引号。

Often, they do the same thing, and it doesn’t matter which you use.

通常，它们做相同的事情，您用 哪一个并不是麻烦事。

However, we recommend that you use double speech marks when you’re quoting what someone

然而，当您在引用某人说的话 时，我们推荐

said.

您使用双引号。

For example: He stood up and said “I wouldn’t do it if you paid me a million dollars.”

例如：他站起来，说”I wouldn’t do it if you paid me a million dollars.”

“Being lucky is more important than being talented,” were the first words of her speech.

“Being lucky is more important than being talented,” 是她首先所讲的。

Before the speech marks, you can put a comma, a colon, or nothing.

在引号之前，您可以放一个逗号、 一个冒号或什么都不放。

Using a comma is more common, but we recommend you use nothing, because it’s more efficient.

使用一个逗号更常见，但是我们推荐您 什么都不用，因为那更有效率。

Whatever you choose, try to be consistent!

无论您选择什么，试着保持一致！

There are also different opinions about whether final punctuation—like a full stop at the

结束标点符号—像是一个在引号结尾 的一个句号—是要在引号

end of a quote—should go inside or outside the speech marks.

里面或是在引号外面， 也有不同的选择。

Again, it doesn’t really matter; the most important thing is to be consistent.

同样，那不是问题；最重要 的事情是保持一致。

Speech marks can be used in other ways, too.

引号也可以用其他方式来使用。

Look at two examples: Paying 100 euros for ‘luxury economy’ was not a good idea!

看两个例子：Paying 100 euros for ‘luxury economy’ was not a good idea!

Many cities in the ‘special economic development zone’ are practically ghost towns.

Many cities in the ‘special economic development zone’ are practically ghost towns.

Speech marks can be used to express irony, sarcasm or scepticism.

引号可以用于表达讽刺、 挖苦或怀疑。

For example, putting ‘luxury economy’ in speech marks shows that there was nothing

例如，用引号标注“luxury economy” 表明搭飞机旅行

luxurious about the plane journey.

没什么奢侈的。

In the second example, you put ‘special economic development zone’ in speech marks

在第二个事例里，您用引号标注 “special economic development zone”

to express irony; if many cities are ghost towns, then there’s clearly not much economic

来表达讽刺；如果很多城市 是幽灵城市，那么很清楚

development there.

在那里没有什么经济发展。

You also use speech marks when you refer to words as words.

当您称某个单词为某个 单词时，您也用引号。

What does that mean?

那是什么意思？

Look at two examples: ‘Millennium’ is a difficult word to spell!

看两个事例： ’Millennium‘ is a difficult word to spell!

Why did you use ‘plethora’ here?’

Why did you use ‘plethora’ here?’

Here, the words ‘millennium’ and ‘plethora’ are used indirectly, to refer to the words

在这里，单词“millennium”和“plethora” 是非直接使用的，来指称

themselves, rather than the ideas.

单词自身，而非其他的意思。

Generally, we recommend using double speech marks to quote what someone said, and single

一般来说，我们推荐使用双引号 来引用某人所说的，

speech marks for everything else.

单引号用于所有其他的。

However, you may see different styles.

然而，您也许看到不同的方式。

Like commas and dashes, parentheses can be used to add some extra, non-essential information

像是逗号和破折号那样，括弧可以 用于添加某些额外的、

to your sentence.

非必要的信息到您的句子里。

Often, the information in parentheses is a date, a name or a statistic.

通常，在括弧里的信息是一个日期、 一个名字或一个统计。

For example: ‘Vladimir Mayakovsky (1893-1930) was one of the most famous poets of the revolution

例如：“Vladimir Mayakovsky (1893-1930) was one of the most famous poets of the revolution

era.’

era.”

‘The percentage of under-30s doing regular exercise was lower (45%) than that of people

“The percentage of under-30s doing regular exercise was lower (45%) than that of people

over 45 (52%).’

over 45 (52%).”

Using parentheses to add statistics and figures is an efficient method to add numbers and

使用括弧来增加统计信息和数字是 一个在您的写作里添加数字

other supporting data to your writing.

和其他支持数据的有效方式。

You can also use parentheses to show that your reader can choose how to understand what

您也能使用括弧来显示给您的读者 可以选择怎样理解

you’re saying.

您在说什么。

For example: ‘Write your suggestion(s) here.’

例如：“Write your suggestion(s) here.”

By adding ‘s’ in parentheses, you mean that you can write one suggestion, or more

通过用括弧添加“s”，您意思是 您可以根据您喜好来写

than one, as you prefer.

一个建议，或更多。

Try to avoid using parentheses to add longer ideas to your sentence.

试着防止使用括弧来添加较长的 想法到您的句子里。

For example: ‘Consumption of processed meat (which has been linked to many diseases, including

例如：“Consumption of processed meat (which has been linked to many diseases, including

colon cancer) is rising in many parts of the world.’

colon cancer) is rising in many parts of the world.”

This is not a good example of using parentheses.

这不是一个使用括弧的好例子。

It would be better to add the additional information using commas or dashes instead.

使用逗号或破折号去添加 额外的信息会比较好一点。

In this case, commas would be best.

在这个事例里，逗号会是最好的。

Question marks are simple to use; add them at the end of a direct question, like this:

问号是很简单使用的；在直接问题的 末尾添加它们，像是这个：

‘What time is it?’

‘What time is it?’

‘How old are you?’

‘How old are you?’

Direct questions can be longer, with more complex structure: ‘Could you tell me how

直接问题可以是比较长的，有很多复杂的结构： “Could you tell me how

to get to the train station?’

to get to the train station?”

However, if you’re reporting what someone else said, then it’s not a question, and

然而，如果您正在报告其他人说的， 那么那不是一个问题，

you shouldn’t use a question mark: ‘She asked me how to get to the train station.’

您不必使用一个问号：“She asked me how to get to the train station.”

Exclamation marks add some emphasis or emotion to a sentence.

感叹号添加强调或情感到句子里。

For example: ‘It’s so cold in here!’

例如：“It’s so cold in here!”

‘There’s a snake!’

‘There’s a snake!’

Unless you’re writing something very informal, it’s generally good style to use exclamation

除非您在写某些事非常不正式， 最低限度地使用感叹号，

marks minimally.

那一般来说是一个好方式。

Overusing them will make them meaningless.

过度使用它们会让它们没有意义。

Like most final punctuation, you shouldn’t put a space before a question mark or an exclamation

像大部分的结尾标点符号，您不必 在一个问号或一个惊叹号前

mark, but you do need a space afterwards.

空格，但是您要在后面空格。

OK, we have a question for you: which English punctuation do you find the most confusing?

好了，我们有一个问题问您：您发现 哪一个标点符号最混淆？

Please let us know in the comments!

请在评论里让我们知道！

Thanks for watching!

感谢观看！

See you next time!

下次再见！