As it seems that the use of ponctuation is not exactly the same in each country/language, here’s how I’ve been taught to use it in France.
Les deux points “:” (a colon). We use it with spaces before AND after it. Ex. Ceci est un : exemple. Whereas in english, it seems colons are used without space before it, like this: example.
Le point-virgule “;” (a semi-colon). We also use it with spaces before and after, but I’ve also been taught to use it without space before, like a comma, so both seem to be okay (but correctors tend to put spaces both before and after). Ex. Ceci est un ; exemple.
Les parenthèses “(”, “)” (brackets). The word/sentence between brackets is not spaces from them. Ex. Ceci (est un exemple). But of course, there are spaces for the outside of the brackets. Most young french people put spaces inside the brackets : NOPE NOPE NOPE, really, it’s horrible ! Never write ( it like this ) it’s horrible. [ and ] are used the same way.
Le Point d’Interrogation “?” (question mark). There’s a space before and after it. Ex. Ceci est un exemple ?
Le Point d’Exclamation “!” (exclamation mark). Same, space before and after it. Ex. Ceci est un exemple !
Les Guillemets “«”, “»” (inverted commas). Well, english people tend to use these inverted commas “, ” and in France, we use the guillemets «, » to quote something, or mark a speech. Ex. « Ceci est un exemple. » Use spaces before and after. We also use these ones “, ”.
N.B. : Actually, on computers, “ and ” are by default on the 3 key on top of keyboard. To type « and », you have two choices : the police or the website/logiciel you use recognize “ as « and » and changes them automatically; or you can do like me, and type Alt+174 for « and Alt+175 for ». “ and ” are getting more used because of computers and english being more and more popular and used, but traditionnal written french (and french books) use « and ».
These are the basics which are really often differents in other languages/countries, and are the most used. Remember that young french people tend to not use them correctly, so well, you will surely see some of us using them wrong !
If you need more or have a question, do not hesitate to send me an ask !
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