Punctuation
Learn when to use punctuation.
Ampersands
Avoid using ampersands (&) unless you have a space requirement. Use "and" instead.
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Products and features | Products & features |
Apostrophes
Use apostrophes for omitted letters (contractions), omitted numbers (’20s), and to show possession.
Possessive apostrophes
Apostrophes indicate ownership ('s). Avoid assigning ownership to inanimate objects. This is anthropomorphic, and may infer a hierarchy.
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Customer's address | Customers address |
| Use data tables in Rebilly to view customer data | Use Rebilly's data tables to view customer data |
| Use KYC settings to configure risk score threshold | KYC's settings configure risk score threshold |
| Update product items | Update a product's items |
| Edit invoice items | Edit an invoice's items |
| Update an invoice for a subscription | Update a subscription's invoice |
Colons
Avoid using colons in your sentences. If you need to use one, don't capitalize first letter of the word after the colon.
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Do form to obtain billing information and process payments. | Do form to: obtain billing information and process payments. |
Colons to introduce a bullet list
Use colons to introduce bullet lists.
| Example |
|---|
To complete a purchase, you must supply the following information:
|
Commas
Serial commas
In a series of three or more items, use a comma before the final "and" or "or."
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Supply your name, address, and place of birth. | Supply your name, address and place of birth. |
Don't use commas to separate bullet or numbered list items.
Ellipses
Avoid using ellipses (…) placeholder content or trailing sentences.
En-dashes
Use en-dashes (-) for Number ranges.
Exclamation marks
Avoid using exclamation marks. Only use them for messages that or new or exciting, and not for commonly occurring events or messages. At most, there should only be one exclamation mark per page.
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| In the past day, you've gained 1,000 new customers! | You've successfully updated settings! |
Hyphens
Use hyphens to form a single noun from multiple words. Only use hyphens to help avoid confusion or ambiguity.
When two or more words function together as a descriptor or adjective (compound modifier), hyphenate the words if they precede the noun they describe. Don't hyphenate if the words follow the noun. Some exceptions to this rule are for any adverbs that end in "-ly", and the word "very".
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Try our new double-baked, deep-fried, crispy jalapeño cookies. These cookies are double baked. | Very-tasty, cheaply-priced cookies. |
Periods
Use periods for complete sentences only.
Avoid periods in headers, titles, tooltips, field descriptions, and menu names. Use them to complete description text in the product, messages, and notifications. Don't use them in a bullet list unless the list item is a complete sentence.
Question marks
Unless in a confirmation title, don't use question marks.
Quotation marks
Use double quotes ("") for a direct quote. Don't use quotation marks for UI elements or web page titles.
Punctuation must be placed inside the quotation marks. This is the standard in US English.
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| "Try our new double-baked, deep-fried, crispy jalapeño cookies," said the baker. | To learn more, see the "Settings" page. |
| Those people said that the cookies were "delicious." | Select a "filter." |