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Punctuation

Table of Contents

Abbreviations #

  • In general, avoid using abbreviations, especially for industry-related terms.
  • Write “customer support” instead of “CS.”

Acronyms #

  • Write acronyms first, then write them parenthetically:
    • NPS (Net Promoter Score) is one of the best indicators of customer satisfaction. The inventors of NPS explain…

Commas #

  • Use the serial (or Oxford) comma:
  • I love Velosio’s use of conventions, grammar, and punctuation.

Italics and Bold #

  • Use italics to emphasize a word, phrase, or quote.
  • Use bold to make something stand out.
  • Don’t go overboard. This should be used to emphasize a key statement or message.

Quotation Marks

  • Always place periods and commas inside quotation marks:
    • The keyword for this article is “business strategies.”
  • In headings and subheadings, use single quotation marks instead of double quotation marks:
    • Target keywords such as ‘business strategies’

Semicolons #

  • Avoid semicolons in almost all cases.
  • A semicolon usually means you’ve written a lengthy, difficult-to-read sentence.
  • Revise, rephrase, or cut.
  • Use an em-dash in place of a semicolon where applicable.

Ellipsis and Brackets #

  • Don’t use ellipsis. Depending on the context, use a full stop, a question mark, or leave the end of your sentence with no punctuation, like in a header for example.
  • Don’t use brackets for any important information as users might assume they don’t need to read it.

Ampersands #

  • Don’t use an ampersand to replace ‘and’ in sentences.
  • Use an ampersand in navigation menus to combine similar items into one group.

Exclamation Points #

  • Don’t overuse exclamation marks. If you do use an exclamation mark, only use it in positive messages and once per page.
  • Only use once per message.
  • Ask yourself if the statement is really worthy of an exclamation point. Does it get people excited? Is it something you want to proclaim with excitement?

Full Stops #

  • Use a full stop in body text, descriptions, or subtitles. If the sentence includes a comma, always use a full stop at the end.
  • Don’t use a full stop in buttons, headings, titles, or navigation menus.
  • One space after punctuation.

Hyphens #

  • Use a hyphen when two or more words are describing something.
  • Otherwise, don’t use them.

Slashes #

  • Don’t use slashes. Use ‘or’ instead.
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