The rules of when and where to use which kind of dash may seem complex and hard to understand, but they don't have to. Here's your guide to how to use em dashes, en dashes, and hyphens correctly. You can use a colon to draw attention to many things in your writing. The categories listed below often overlap, so don’t worry too much about whether your intended use of the colon fits one category perfectly. Use a semicolon before such words and terms as namely, however, therefore, that is, i.e., for example, e.g., for instance, etc., when they introduce a complete sentence. Learn how and when to use semicolons (;), colons (:), commas (,), and dashes (–) to make your writing more effective. The plus sign (+) and the minus sign (−) are mathematical symbols used to denote positive and negative functions, respectively. In addition, the symbol + represents the operation of addition, which results in a sum, while the symbol − represents subtraction, resulting in a difference. [1]. Whether you’re learning how to use them for the first time or just need a refresher to improve your writing, we’ve got you covered. wikiHow spoke with English teachers to provide the best practices for each punctuation mark and answer your most common grammar questions. Knowing when to use “of” in English grammar can improve your writing and speaking skills. This preposition connects words by showing relationships such as possession, origin, or what something is made of. Punctuation marks are the signs and symbols we use in writing to clarify the meaning behind our writing. They separate sentences and their parts to help the reader understand exactly what we’re saying, when we’re saying it, and how we’re saying it. Semicolons (;) separate independent clauses that are related in meaning, and they separate items in a list when those items themselves are long or include commas. For example, this summary could say Semicolons are useful; they show that clauses are related in meaning. Learn when to use a semicolon to connect two related independent clauses in one sentence or to separate items in a complex list.