English Punctuation Guide - English Writing Lesson

英文文法 — 標點符號

Hi, I’m Kasia.

嗨，我是Kasia。

Welcome to Oxford Online English!

歡迎來到Oxford Online English！

In this lesson, you can learn about English punctuation.

在本節課裡，您可以學到 英文的標點符號。

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

您會看到最常見的英文標點符號、 符號名稱，以及怎麼

to use them.

使用它們。

This lesson has many sections.

本節課有很多單元。

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

如果您想，您可以只看 您要看的單元。

Using punctuation correctly is critical for your English writing.

正確地用標點符號在 英文寫作是很重要的。

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

標點符號的問題可能造成一個 壞印象，或產生誤解。

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

如果您要提升您的英文寫作能力， 看看我們的網站：Oxford Online English

dot com.

dot com。

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

有很多免費課程會對您的寫作有幫助， 或者您可以找我們眾多

with one of our professional teachers.

專業老師中的一位來上寫作課程。

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

但是，首先，我們看看最基礎的 英文標點符號裡的一個。

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

一個句號“full stop”在美語 裡也稱為一個“period”。

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

在一個完整句子的句尾使用句號。

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

在句號前面不能有一個空格， 但在後面要有一個空格。

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

一個完整句子可以是短的且 簡單的，像這個：“I got there early.”

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

一個完整句子也可以是長的且更複雜 的，像這個：”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；一個”full sentence“的主旨 不是靈活的，它

structure of the sentence.

取決於句子的文法結構。

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

例如，您可以看到這句的 錯誤嗎？

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

以單字”there“結尾的第一部分 是一個完整的句子。

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

您不能選擇用一個逗號，然後繼續； 您要用一個句號，或一個分號，

need to add a conjunction.

或您要添加一個連接詞。

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

如果您想正確地用英文標點符號， 學習句型結構，以及怎麼把子句

important if you want to use English punctuation correctly.

變成更長的句子， 是很重要的。

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

句號也用於一些縮寫 — 在您把單字變更短時。

There are three kinds of abbreviation.

有三種縮寫類型。

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

一： *從來不會*有句號的縮寫， 像“BBC”、“CIA”或“UN”。

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

二： *總是*有句號的縮寫， 像是”e.g.“、”i.e.“或”etc.“。

Three… wait, can you guess?

三… 等一下，您可以猜一下嗎？

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

一些縮寫有時有句號， 有時沒有。

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

例如，mister、doctor、或 談論時間的AM和PM。

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

頭銜，像是”mister“、”Mrs“或”doctor“， 在英國英文書寫通常

in British English, and with one in American English.

沒有句號，在美語裡 有一個句號。

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

在英國英文裡，小寫 AM和PM書寫

full stops.

有句號更常見。

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

在美語裡，使用大寫 沒句號更常見。

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

然而，兩種形式都是常用的， 您可以選您喜歡的用。

Commas have three main jobs.

逗號有三個主要功用。

Two of them are very simple.

其中兩個很簡單。

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

首先，用一個逗號來分隔開一個 清單裡的事項，像這個：“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.

在您的清單裡每一個事項的 後面，用逗號。

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

在您的清單裡最後兩個事項之間 用單字“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.

您可以選擇在“and”之前用 一個逗號，或者不用。

Both styles are possible!

兩種方式都可以。

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

您還需要一個帶某些連接詞的 逗號，特別是“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.

使用逗號的最後一個方式 也是最複雜的。

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

使用一個逗號 — 或常常是一對兩個逗號 — 來給您的句子添加非必要的資訊。

What does ‘non-essential’ mean?

“non-essentia”是什麼意思？

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資訊， 句子仍然會有意義且

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.

當您在句首使用一個副詞或 連接片語時，這是常見的。

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,

當您在一個句子中間添加額外資訊時， 那是常見的，像是這個：“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.

冒號有一個主要功能：它們 引入事例、解釋或細節。

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

看一個事例：“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

在這裡，冒號之前的句子提及一個 一般主旨 — 多種問題 —

sentence after the colon explains what these problems are.

冒號之後的句子解釋 那些問題是什麼。

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

使用冒號是很常見的；您在冒號 之前提及某些概括事情，

explain it in more detail after the colon.

然後您在冒號之後用 更多細節解釋它。

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

我們再多看兩個例句： “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.

分號是與一個句號最相似。

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

它們用在一個完整句子的結尾。

So, what’s the difference?

那麼，區別是什麼？

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

使用一個分號顯示在分號之前和 之後的您的想法是相連的。

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

在這裡，您有兩個句子，但是他們兩個是在談論同一個想法： 他和

his stubborn character.

他的倔強個性。

The semicolon emphasises that the ideas are connected.

分號強調想法是連接的。

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

您從來不*需要*用一個分號， 但是他們可以是很有用的。

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

使用一個分號是在您的一個想法之間 做連接的容易方式，能

help you to write clearly and efficiently.

幫您寫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.

當您使用一個分號時，您不需要 使用任何連詞或連接片語。

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，有一些可以搭配一個分號 用的連接詞，像是“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

像逗號一樣，撇號有一個以上的 功能，這樣，正確地

use correctly.

使用它們會更困難。

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

首先，在縮略形式使用一個撇號來 取代一個漏掉的字母。

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

您也使用一個撇號來顯示某些屬於 某人的東西：“Why have you got Dean’s

jacket?’

jacket?”

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

您甚至可以把多個名詞連在一起， 像是這個：“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’?

如果您想使用的單字 已經用“s”結尾了呢？

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

這裡是規則：如果撇號之後的“s” 是發音的，那麼您也要

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

寫它：“We met at Boris’s barbecue.”

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

如果您不發一個額外的“s”音， 那麼不要寫它；就加一個撇號

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

到單字的結尾，像這個：“We could stay at my parents’ house for a couple of

days.’

days.”

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

最後，您通常不會在寫 複數時用一個撇號。

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

即使是您把專有名稱變成複數，像是： ”There were four Ambers in my group“，

you don’t use an apostrophe for the plural.

您在複數沒有用一個撇號。

However, there’s one exception to this.

然而，這有一個例外。

Do you know it?

您知道它？

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

如果您想要一個字母變成複數，那麼 您添加一個撇號，像這個：

m’s are there in ‘accommodation’?’

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

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

連字號用於造複合詞， 特別是複合形容詞。

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

複合詞由兩個或 更多的單字構成。

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

形容詞“six-hour”由“six”和“hour” 兩個單字構成，

you use a hyphen to connect the two parts.

您使用一個連字號去連接兩個部分。

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

這裡是另一個例子：“It was surprisingly tasty for a five-dollar meal.”

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

然而，連字號用於複合詞 是不一致且變化的。

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

通常，趨勢是要用更少的連字號， 但是，有一些您每次都要

use a hyphen every time.

使用一個連字號的事例。

Compound words made with numbers almost always have hyphens.

用數字構成的複合詞幾乎 總是有連字號。

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

形容詞“three-year-old”用一個 數字構成，它總是用

hyphens.

連字號寫。

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

在您使用某些前綴時，您也要使用 連字號，像是“ex-”或“self-”。

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

有前綴“non-”的單字通常 也是用連字號的。

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’

如果您給一個專有名詞或一個數字添加一個前綴， 您也需要連字號，像是在：”anti-European“

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

”post-1950 politics“最後， 在複合數字和分數，

compound numbers and fractions.

您也需要一個連字號。

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.

如果您不確定在一個數字要用一個連字號， 還是不用，那就只寫數字。

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

破折號也許看上去像是連字號，但是， 他們是不一樣的。

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

首先，有兩種類型的破折號，稱為 連接號en dashes和破折號em dashes。

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

連接號En dashes的兩側各有一個空格 – 像是這個。

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

破折號Em dashes加入前後單字 中間—像這個。

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

您不要擔心這個；連接號en dashes和 破折號em dashes兩者擔當相同的功能。

Choose one and stick with it.

選擇一個並持續用它。

So, what do you use dashes for?

那麼，您在什麼地方用破折號？

Dashes are used to add extra information to a sentence.

破折號用來給一個句子 添加額外的資訊。

Remember that commas can also do this.

記住逗號也可以這樣用。

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

“Extra”資訊意思是您可以從句子移除掉資訊，且

everything would still make sense.

一切仍然是有意義的。

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

當額外的資訊不適合句子的 文法和句子結構時，

of the sentence.

破折號更受歡迎。

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.

某事是否適合您的句子結構 “flow”是主觀的。

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

那意味著您通常可以選擇用破折號 還是逗號來在您的句子裡

to your sentence.

添加一些額外的資訊。

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.

在這裡，您可以用逗號取代破折號。

Both versions are correct.

兩個版本都是正確的。

However, we recommend choosing dashes when you can.

然而，我們推薦在您可以的 時候選擇破折號。

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

那是因為破折號僅僅擔當一種功能， 而逗號可以擔當多種功能。

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

使用破折號事情會更清晰， 因為您的讀者不必去考慮

why the punctuation is there.

為什麼這裡有標點符號。

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

有兩種引號：單 引號和雙引號。

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

通常，它們做相同的事情，您用 哪一個並不是麻煩事。

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

然而，當您在引用某人說的話 時，我們推薦

said.

您用雙引號。

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

例如：He stood up and said ”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,” were the first words of her speech.

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

在引號之前，您可以加一個逗號、 一個冒號或什麼都不加。

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

使用一個逗號更常見，但是我們推薦您 什麼都不用加，因為那更有效率。

Whatever you choose, try to be consistent!

無論您選擇什麼，試著保持一致！

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

結尾標點符號—比如一個在引號結尾 的一個句號—是要在引號

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

裡面或是在引號外面， 也有不同的選擇。

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

同樣，那不是問題；最重要 的事情是保持一致。

Speech marks can be used in other ways, too.

引號也可以用其他方式來使用。

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

看兩個例子：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.

引號可以用於表達諷刺、 挖苦或懷疑。

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

例如，用引號標註“luxury economy” 表明搭飛機旅行

luxurious about the plane journey.

沒什麼奢侈的。

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

在例二裡，您用引號標註 “special economic development zone”

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

來表達諷刺；如果很多城市 是幽靈城市，那麼很清楚，

development there.

在那裡沒有什麼經濟發展。

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

當您稱某個單字為某個 單字時，您也用引號。

What does that mean?

那是什麼意思？

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

看兩個事例： ’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

在這裡，單字“millennium”和“plethora” 是非直接使用，來指

themselves, rather than the ideas.

單字自身，而非其他意思。

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

一般來說，我們推薦使用雙引號 來引用某人所說的，

speech marks for everything else.

單引號用於所有其他的。

However, you may see different styles.

然而，您也許看到不同的方式。

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

像是逗號和破折號那樣，括號可以 用於添加某些額外的、

to your sentence.

非必要的資訊到您的句子裡。

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

通常，在括號裡的資訊是一個日期、 一個名字或一個統計數據。

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

使用括號來增加統計資訊和數據是 一個在您的寫作裡添加數字

other supporting data to your writing.

和其他支持數據的有效方式。

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

您也能用括號來告訴您的讀者 可以選擇怎樣理解

you’re saying.

您在說什麼。

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

通過用括號添加“s”，您意思是 可以根據喜好來寫

than one, as you prefer.

一個建議，或更多。

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

試著避免用括號添加較長的 想法到您的句子裡。

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.

這不是一個用括號的好例子。

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

使用逗號或破折號去添加 額外的資訊會比較好一點。

In this case, commas would be best.

在這個事例裡，逗號會是最好的。

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

問號使用是很簡單的；在直接問題的 末尾添加它們，像是這個：

‘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

直接問題可以是比較長的，有很多複雜的結構： “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，如果您正在報告其他人說的， 那麼那不是問題，

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

您不需用問號：“She asked me how to get to the train station.”

Exclamation marks add some emphasis or emotion to a sentence.

感歎號添加強調或情感到句子裡。

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

除非您在寫某些很不正式的事情， 最低限度地使用感歎號，

marks minimally.

一般來說是一個好方式。

Overusing them will make them meaningless.

過度使用它們會讓它們沒有意義。

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

像大部分的結尾標點符號，您不必 在一個問號或一個驚歎號前

mark, but you do need a space afterwards.

空格，但是您要在後面空格。

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

好了，我們有一個問題問您：您發現 哪一個標點符號最混淆？

Please let us know in the comments!

請寫在留言板裡！

Thanks for watching!

感謝觀看！

See you next time!

下次見！