They are the period, question mark, exclamation point, comma, semicolon, colon, dash, hyphen, parentheses, brackets, braces, apostrophe, quotation marks, and ellipsis.

colon

(Entry 1 of 2) : a punctuation mark – used especially to divide or to compound words, word elements, or numbers. hyphen. verb.

The colon : is a punctuation mark consisting of two equally sized dots placed one above the other on the same vertical line. A colon often precedes an explanation, a list, a quotation, or a block quotation.

Colons and semicolons are two types of punctuation. Colons (:) are used in sentences to show that something is following, like a quotation, example, or list. Semicolons (;) are used to join two independent clauses, or two complete thoughts that could stand alone as complete sentences.

Every sentence should include at least a capital letter at the start, and a full stop, exclamation mark or question mark at the end. This basic system indicates that the sentence is complete.

Parentheses are used to enclose incidental or extra information, such as a passing comment, a minor example or addition, or a brief explanation. The writer may choose to put additional information within parentheses or to set off the text using dashes or commas.

A dash is a little horizontal line that floats in the middle of a line of text (not at the bottom: that’s an underscore). It’s longer than a hyphen and is commonly used to indicate a range or a pause. Dashes are used to separate groups of words, not to separate parts of words like a hyphen does.

Rule: Use commas before and after nonessential words, phrases, and clauses, that is, elements embedded in the sentence that interrupt it without changing the essential meaning.

The correct answer is – Crowned with a wreath of olive leaves, this female statue represents commerce. This is the best option because the comma is not stopping the sentence abruptly.

To test if a clause is indeed nonessential, leave it out and reread the sentence. If the main point of the sentence is not lost or distorted, then, yes, it is nonessential and needs punctuation. Otherwise, it is essential and no punctuation is required.

Non-essential clauses (non-restrictive clauses) include information that is not important to the meaning of the sentence. A comma always precedes a non-essential clause.

The definition of essential is completely necessary or part of the basic nature of something. An example of essential is dedicated study skills to become valedictorian. An example of essential is innate intelligence. Absolutely necessary; indispensable; requisite.

Clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate. Sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought.