What Are Those Funny Symbols Above the Number Keys?

Beneath the “Function Keys,” which are in orange in the diagram below, you’ll see a (blue) row with a number on the bottom and a symbol on the top. You might recognize these symbols but not know their English names.

What is the correct English word for each of these symbols?

1: Above the numeral ONE (1) is an exclamation mark. ! This is a punctuation mark.

2: Above the numeral TWO (2) is the “at” sign. @ You’ll see this sign in supermarkets: Two lbs (pounds) @ $1.50/each.

3. Above the numeral THREE (3) is the “pound” or the “hash” sign. # You’ll see this sign on telephones.

4. Above the numeral FOUR (4) is the dollar sign. $

5. Above the numeral FIVE (5) is the percent sign. %

6. Above the numeral SIX (6) is the carat. ^ This sign is used in proof-reading.

7. Above the numeral SEVEN (7) is the ampersand. & This commonly means “and.”

8. Above the numeral EIGHT (8) is the asterisk. * This commonly means “and.”

9. Above the numeral NINE (9) is the open parens. (

10. Above the numeral TEN (109) is the close parens. ) Together, the open parens and the close parens are callled “parentheses.” (You might have a comment in parenthesis, like this.)

The last two keys on the top of the numeric line are the underscore _ and the plus sign. The underscore is commonly used in the names of work or computer files: names.on.the.keyboard_English.class.doc.

Of course you know that to type either the underscore key or the plus sign, you must simultaneously* hit the SHIFT key and the symbol key.
*Simultaneously means at the same time.

Now I’ll list this lesson’s vocabulary. See if you can pronounce and point to each one on your keyboard:

  • function keys
  • numeral
  • exclamation mark
  • “at” sign
  • hash mark
  • number sign
  • dollar sign
  • percentage or percent sign
  • carat
  • ampersand
  • asterisk
  • open parens
  • close parens
  • underscore
  • plus sign

Now here’s a little skill test for you. What is each of the following symbols or groups of symbols called?

  • )
  • ^
  • #
  • $
  • &
  • (
  • !
  • %
  • @
  • ( )

Thank you for visiting us for PART #3 of “Navigating the Computer Keyboard in English!

To return to Part 1, click HERE.

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