Why do we need punctuation marks?

Punctuation marks give structure and meaning to writing. Without them, it would be extremely difficult to make sense of what we are reading and to write in a meaningful way. They do not only indicate where sentences start and finish, but also tell your eyes where to pause and, in some cases, can even change the meaning of a sentence.
 
There are many similarities between the rules guiding English and German punctuation. There are, however, also some significant differences. One important difference is that in English, the rules are less strict. In many cases, you cannot only choose between different punctuation marks, but also whether to put one in or not.
 
N.B.: The guidelines and examples given in this module refer to British English and are based on the rules and guidelines prescribed by Oxford Dictionaries. They are, however, generally applicable and can also be used in American English contexts.