National Punctuation Day: 5 of the Most Controversial Punctuation Marks in English and How to Use Them

Pola
Sep 24
3 min read

People who are passionate about good grammar tend to be riled up by the smallest of things, be it a turn of phrase, a split infinitive, or a misused punctuation mark. Today on National Punctuation Day, we’re leaning into the drama as we discuss 5 of the most controversial punctuation marks in the English language.

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Em-dash (—)

The em-dash is the longest type of dash. It got its name all the way back when metal or wood boxes were used in printing, because it was roughly the width of the capital letter “M.” These days, the em-dash is getting quite the media coverage because of recent allegations that AI tends to overuse this punctuation mark. The key, of course, is to differentiate man from machine by knowing how to properly use it. The em-dash often denotes either of two things: a change in direction or an attempt at emphasis. Here’s an article that further breaks down the differences between a hyphen, an en-dash, and an em-dash.

The Oxford Comma (,)

Speaking of media coverage, no punctuation mark causes as much drama as the Oxford comma. Also known as the serial comma, the Oxford comma refers to the comma that marks the penultimate item in a series of three or more. It is most useful when providing clarity, especially in denoting the number of items in a series. The drama comes in when matters of consistency are concerned. As in, should one always use an Oxford comma, even when clarification is not necessary? The APA certainly thinks so, as it is required in their Publication Manual.

Semicolon (;)

Unlike the previous two items in our list, the semicolon does not sow controversy when it comes to usage. What it is, however, is a headscratcher, because everybody still seems to be confused about when to use one. A semicolon is used in place of a conjunction for compound sentences with both independent clauses. Its use indicates that the two ideas are somehow related. Think of it as a pause that’s longer than a comma, but shorter than a period.

Interrobang (?!)

The interrobang is a bit of a rebel, as it is technically an informal punctuation mark. A true interrobang is an overlap between a question mark and an exclamation point. These days however, the two punctuation marks in succession still make an interrobang. It is used for sentences that are rhetorical, exclamatory and interrogative all at once. We most often see the interrobang in dialogue or casual conversation, for questions that also express extreme emotion.

Ellipsis (...)

When it comes to the ellipsis, we would like to assume that we are all in agreement when it comes to its usage. In formal writing and transcription, an ellipsis indicates an omission of words, especially when it comes to quoted text. In dialogue, we understand the ellipsis to indicate a trailing off. The controversy lies in the punctuation mark itself. We’re here to let you know that no, there are no spaces in between the periods that compose an ellipsis. Unless, of course, you’re using Chicago’s spaced periods or the Chicago-style ellipsis, which denotes pretty much the same thing. Just be sure to be consistent about which one you choose.

Don’t shy away from using these punctuation marks. Here at The Manuscript Editor, we’ll make sure to let your writing style shine through, while ensuring that the right message is delivered to your audience. Visit our website today, submit your manuscript for a free 800-word sample and take the next step on your journey towards publication.

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