construction jokes

257+ Construction Jokes (Building, Contractor, Architecture Puns)

Construction jokes often revolve around the building process, architecture, and the work of contractors, and can feature puns or wordplay.

Here are some common characteristics of construction jokes:

  • Double meanings: Many construction jokes involve words that have multiple meanings, such as “beam,” “nail,” or “stud.” These words can be used in a literal sense to refer to construction materials, or in a figurative sense to create a pun or a joke.
  • Play on words: Another characteristic of construction jokes is the use of wordplay. This can include using homophones, such as “site” and “sight,” or creating new words by combining two existing ones, such as “roofus” (a combination of “roof” and “rufus”).
  • Exaggeration: Some construction jokes rely on exaggerating the challenges or quirks of the building process. For example, a joke might suggest that a builder could “build a house in their sleep,” or that a building is so crooked that it “looks like it was built by a drunk carpenter.”
  • Stereotypes: There are also stereotypes associated with certain roles in the construction industry, such as contractors or architects. Jokes may play on these stereotypes, such as suggesting that all contractors are lazy or that architects are always obsessing over tiny details.
  • Irony: Construction jokes can also make use of irony, such as a contractor who can’t fix his own leaky faucet or an architect who designs a building that doesn’t meet basic safety codes.

Overall, construction jokes are a lighthearted way to poke fun at the quirks and challenges of the building process, and can be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in architecture or construction.

Construction Jokes 

Here are 32 construction jokes:

  1. Why did the contractor go on a diet? He wanted to scale back.
  2. What did the construction worker say when he found a bird in his hard hat? “This is crane-zy!”
  3. Why was the construction worker so tired? He had been working on his sleep structure.
  4. Why did the construction worker go to space? He wanted to build a better planet.
  5. Why was the builder always calm? He had a solid foundation.
  6. What did the architect say when asked to design a building with no doors? “That’s a tall order.”
  7. Why did the construction worker carry a ladder? He needed to climb the corporate ladder.
  8. Why was the contractor afraid of heights? He had a phobia of ceiling fans.
  9. What did the builder say when he saw the demolished building? “I don’t think it’s going to work out, but I guess it’s back to square one.”
  10. What do you call a fake stone in a construction project? A sham rock.
  11. Why was the construction worker always the first one to leave the job site? He liked to get a head start on the traffic.
  12. Why did the architect refuse to design a clock tower? He didn’t have the time.
  13. What did the construction worker say when he couldn’t find his tools? “This is screw-ious!”
  14. Why did the builder hire a lawyer? He was suing for scaffold support.
  15. Why did the contractor refuse to build a house with a circular driveway? He didn’t want to go round and round.
  16. What did the construction worker say when he saw the finished product? “I’m beam-ing with pride!”
  17. Why did the architect always wear glasses? He needed to see the blueprint.
  18. What did the construction worker say when he saw a group of pigeons on the job site? “These birds are really concrete about sticking around.”
  19. Why did the builder refuse to use a calculator? He liked to do the math on his own.
  20. What did the contractor say when asked to build a bridge in a week? “That’s a suspension of disbelief.”
  21. Why was the construction worker always happy? He liked to build up his spirits.
  22. What did the builder say when asked to install a fire alarm? “I’m on it like smoke on fire!”
  23. Why was the contractor always thirsty? He was always working on his water structure.
  24. What did the architect say when asked to design a building with no windows? “That’s a pane-ful request.”
  25. Why did the builder refuse to work on a haunted house? He was scared of the boo-gie man.
  26. What did the construction worker say when he found a snake in his tool box? “This is screw-pid!”
  27. Why was the contractor always getting into accidents? He was always driving on the fast-lane.
  28. What did the builder say when he found a spider in the building plans? “I need to re-web my calculations.”
  29. Why did the architect refuse to design a building in the shape of a donut? He was afraid it would be a real hole in the market.
  30. What did the construction worker say when he accidentally dropped his hammer on his foot? “This is nail-bitingly painful!”
  31. Why did the contractor refuse to use a jackhammer? He didn’t want to cause any concrete damage.
  32. What did the builder say when asked to design a building with a garden on the roof? “I’ll make sure it has a green roof!”

Construction Puns

Here are some construction puns:

  1. I’m reading a book on the history of glue. I just can’t seem to put it down.
  2. I have a few jokes about construction, but I’m still working on the punchline.
  3. The new skyscraper construction was successful. It was a high-rise job.
  4. Why did the contractor quit his job? He didn’t have a concrete plan.
  5. The carpenter’s business was struggling, but he didn’t give up. He nailed it in the end.
  6. I’m always impressed by construction workers. They really raise the bar.
  7. Why did the architect take a day off? She needed some beam time.
  8. The electrician always has a bright idea.
  9. Did you hear about the new construction project? It’s going to be a real masterpiece.
  10. I’m terrible at construction, I always end up screwing something up.
  11. The carpenter wasn’t happy with his work, he said it was a saw point.
  12. The construction worker was feeling down, but he soon got back on his feet.
  13. What did the cement say to the water? “Hey there, little mixer!”
  14. The contractor was feeling overwhelmed, he said he needed to get a grip.
  15. The architect was worried about the project, but she knew she could foundation it.
  16. Why did the mason break up with his girlfriend? He said they just didn’t have any cement.
  17. What do you call a builder who is always taking breaks? A structure of leisure.
  18. Why did the carpenter bring his ladder to the party? He wanted to get on the roof.
  19. The builder was having a tough time, but he knew he could hammer it out.
  20. What do you call a lazy construction worker? A scaff-folder.
  21. The electrician was feeling shocked when he saw the bill.
  22. Why did the roofer go to the doctor? He had a shingle.
  23. What did the drywall say to the paint? “Let’s make this wall beautiful.”
  24. The construction worker was feeling down, but his boss told him to hang in there.
  25. The contractor was surprised when he saw the budget. He said, “I can’t work with this kind of sawdust.”
  26. The architect was feeling overwhelmed, but she knew she could build it up from the ground.
  27. Why did the carpenter bring a saw to the party? He wanted to cut a rug.
  28. The mason was feeling down, but he soon built himself back up.
  29. What did the drill say to the screw? “You really turn me on.”
  30. The construction worker was feeling under the weather, but he knew he had to power through.
  31. What do you call a wall that is always tired? A sleepy hollow.
  32. The electrician was feeling positive about the project, he said it had a lot of potential.
  33. Why did the builder hire a lawyer? He was worried about being framed.
  34. The construction worker was feeling confident, he said he had everything under con-troll.
  35. What did the hammer say to the nail? “Let’s make something together.”

Old vs. New Construction Worker

Most Funny Construction Jokes 

Construction Jokes:

  1. Why was the math book sad? Because it had too many problems.
  2. Why don’t scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything.
  3. What do you get when you cross a snowman and a shark? Frostbite.
  4. How do construction workers party? They raise the roof.
  5. Why did the tomato turn red? Because it saw the salad dressing!
  6. Why did the cookie go to the doctor? Because it was feeling crumbly.
  7. What do you call fake spaghetti? An impasta.
  8. Why did the teddy bear say no to dessert? Because it was stuffed.
  9. Why do fish live in saltwater? Because pepper water makes them sneeze!
  10. Why did the chicken cross the playground? To get to the other slide.
  11. What did the grape say when it got stepped on? Nothing, it just let out a little wine.
  12. Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field.
  13. Why do seagulls fly over the sea? Because if they flew over the bay, they’d be bagels.
  14. What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta.
  15. Why did the bicycle fall over? Because it was two tired.
  16. What did the janitor say when he jumped out of the closet? “Supplies!”
  17. What do you call a belt made out of watches? A waist of time.

Building Jokes

Building Jokes:

  1. I’m on a whiskey diet… I’ve lost three days already.
  2. Why did the tomato turn red? Because it saw the salad dressing!
  3. I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down.
  4. Why don’t skeletons fight each other? They don’t have the guts.
  5. I’m on a seafood diet. I see food and I eat it.
  6. Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field.
  7. I used to play piano by ear, but now I use my hands.
  8. I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too high. She looked surprised.
  9. I’m so good at sleeping, I can do it with my eyes closed.
  10. What do you get when you cross a snowman and a shark? Frostbite.
  11. Why don’t scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything.
  12. I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too high. She looked surprised.
  13. I’m on a whiskey diet… I’ve lost three days already.
  14. What do you call fake spaghetti? An impasta.
  15. I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. It’s impossible to put down.
  16. I’m on a seafood diet. I see food and I eat it.
  17. Why did the chicken cross the playground? To get to the other slide.

Construction Site Jokes and Humor!

Building Puns

Building Puns:

  1. Why did the carpenter go out of business? Because he couldn’t hammer out a deal.
  2. I wanted to build a staircase with a slide, but it was wrong on so many levels.
  3. Did you hear about the construction worker who refused to wear a hard hat? He was rebarbative.
  4. I told my contractor I wanted a bridge made out of playing cards. He said it couldn’t be done because it was too much of a house of cards.
  5. The carpenter wasn’t sure if he should trust the woodworker, but he decided to give him the benefit of the dowel.
  6. I tried to make a model of a famous building, but it fell apart. I guess I didn’t have it structurally sound.
  7. The drywall contractor was feeling a bit depressed, but he decided to plaster on a smile.
  8. My contractor said he could build me a house out of mirrors. I told him I could see right through him.
  9. The mason was a bit of a square, but he knew how to lay a good foundation.
  10. The electrician was shocked to see the price of copper wire.
  11. I asked my contractor if he could build me a house using only bales of hay. He said it was a straw-bale proposition.
  12. The contractor was impressed by the architect’s design, but he said it would be hard to build because it was so concrete.
  13. I tried to build a bookshelf, but I couldn’t find the right foundation. I guess I was shelved.
  14. The painter wasn’t happy with the color of the paint, but he decided to brush it off.
  15. The carpenter wasn’t very talkative, but when he did speak, he nailed it.
  16. The contractor was impressed with the demolition crew’s work. He said they really knocked it out of the park.
  17. The roofer wasn’t feeling well, but he decided to shingle on.

Contractor Jokes

Contractor Jokes:

  1. Why did the contractor break up with his girlfriend? She wanted a commitment.
  2. The contractor was always tired because he was a hard hat worker.
  3. The carpenter was feeling down, so he went to see his shrink. The shrink said, “What’s the problem?” The carpenter said, “I’m feeling board.”
  4. The contractor was so confident in his work that he didn’t even measure twice. He just cut once and hoped for the best.
  5. Why did the contractor go to jail? He was framing the wrong person.
  6. The contractor was so bad at his job that he was building a reputation for himself.
  7. The carpenter couldn’t find his hammer, so he nailed it.
  8. The contractor’s motto was, “I’m not always right, but I’m never wrong.”
  9. Why did the contractor refuse to work on the haunted house? He was afraid of the boo-laws.
  10. The carpenter was feeling a bit lost, but he knew he had to stay on the level.
  11. The contractor always had a good sense of humor, but he was never one to cut corners.
  12. The carpenter was always telling jokes, but they were a little wooden.
  13. The contractor was always so busy that he never had time to saw it coming.
  14. The carpenter had a good relationship with his lumber supplier. He always knew how to pine for the right wood.
  15. The contractor was so good at his job that he could build a house with his eyes closed. Unfortunately, he couldn’t keep his doors open.
  16. The carpenter was always sawing logs. He was the best in his field.

Construction Jokes – One-Liners

Here are some construction jokes for you:

  1. I’m reading a book on the history of glue. I just can’t seem to put it down.
  2. Why did the contractor go on a diet? He wanted to build up his structure.
  3. What do you call a lazy demolition worker? A de-constructicon.
  4. Why don’t construction workers take coffee breaks? They already have a lot of perks.
  5. How do construction workers party? They raise the roof!
  6. Why did the roofer refuse to go to the party? He said it was over his head.
  7. How does a construction worker stay cool? By standing next to the fan.
  8. Why did the carpenter get a new saw blade? The old one was getting a bit sawdust-y.
  9. What did the construction worker say to his boss when he didn’t get paid? I need to raise a few concerns.
  10. How do construction workers like their coffee? Built strong.
  11. Why was the construction worker always calm? He had a lot of foundation to rely on.
  12. How did the contractor know he was getting old? He started counting his gray hairs in his cement mixer.
  13. Why did the painter always work alone? He didn’t want to brush shoulders with anyone.
  14. What do construction workers wear on a hot day? Tool shorts.
  15. Why did the contractor decide to become a comedian? He wanted to nail the punchlines.
  16. What did the construction worker say to the lawyer? Stop building a case against me.
  17. How did the construction worker break his leg? He was just working on a scaffold.
  18. Why did the construction worker go fishing? He wanted to catch a few beams.
  19. Why did the plumber get lost? He went down the drain.
  20. How do you make a construction worker angry? Pour cement into their boots.
  21. Why did the electrician refuse to go to the bar? He said it was too wired.
  22. How do you get a construction worker to take a break? Just tell them to concrete their thoughts.
  23. What do you call a construction worker who can’t find his tools? A hammerless handyman.
  24. How do you know when a construction worker is telling the truth? You can see it in their blueprints.
  25. What did the construction worker say to the customer who complained about the mess? Don’t worry, we’ll just sweep it under the rug.

Construction Jokes – Dad Jokes

Here are 27 construction jokes for you:

  1. Did you hear about the kidnapping at the construction site? He woke up.
  2. Why don’t construction workers take weekends off? Because they work hard and play hard.
  3. What did the construction worker say to his boss when he got injured on the job? “I can’t work today, I’ve hit rock bottom.”
  4. Why did the construction worker quit his job? Because it was a dead-end job.
  5. What did the construction worker say when he accidentally poured cement into his boot? “Now I’ve got a real concrete shoe!”
  6. Why do construction workers love their job? They get to build things up, just to tear them down again.
  7. Why did the carpenter quit his job? He didn’t want to be board anymore.
  8. What did the construction worker say when he found out he was going to be working on a skyscraper? “That’s a tall order!”
  9. Why did the construction worker refuse to wear a hard hat? He wanted to let his hair down.
  10. How do construction workers party? They raise the roof!
  11. Why did the electrician quit his job? He didn’t get a charge out of it anymore.
  12. Why don’t construction workers like to take a break? Because they’re afraid they’ll collapse.
  13. What did the construction worker say when he was asked to build a wall? “I’ll have to think about it, I need to brick up on my skills.”
  14. Why did the construction worker wear sunglasses? He wanted to work with a sunny disposition.
  15. What do you call a construction worker who can’t do his job? A saw loser.
  16. Why do construction workers love their job? Because they get to nail it every day.
  17. Why did the bricklayer go to the doctor? Because he had a bad case of laying bricks.
  18. What did the construction worker say when he lost his saw? “I can’t find it anywhere, it’s like it vanished into thin air.”
  19. Why do construction workers always carry a level? Because they like to keep things on the level.
  20. Why did the construction worker put his bed on the ceiling? He wanted to sleep on a loft bed.
  21. What did the construction worker say when he was asked to build a door? “I’ll have to hinge my bets on this one.”
  22. Why did the carpenter go to the gym? He wanted to work on his core strength.
  23. What do you call a construction worker who is always cold? A chill-er.
  24. Why did the construction worker get a job at the circus? He wanted to be a master scaffolder.
  25. What did the construction worker say when he was asked to build a bridge? “I’m on board with that.”
  26. Why did the construction worker wear a belt with a hammer on it? Because he wanted to nail his pants down.
  27. Why did the roofer go to the doctor? He had a bad case of shingles.

Construction Worker Puns

Construction Worker Puns:

  1. I’m a construction worker, I can build a bridge with my eyes closed. But I still have to be careful not to weld it shut.
  2. Did you hear about the construction worker who fell asleep on the job? He was caught napping.
  3. Why did the construction worker break up with his girlfriend? She was always trying to put up walls between them.
  4. I was going to tell a joke about construction, but I’m still working on that foundation.
  5. What did the construction worker say when he finished building the skyscraper? “It’s time to raise the roof!”
  6. Why did the construction worker go to the doctor? He had a nail in his foot and couldn’t hammer it out.
  7. Why did the construction worker cross the road? To get to the other side of the job site.
  8. I’m a construction worker, but I’m not very good with heights. I guess you could say I have a low ceiling for danger.
  9. Why did the construction worker quit his job? He couldn’t handle the pressure.
  10. Why did the construction worker wear his hard hat backwards? He wanted to look like he was going places.
  11. I’m a construction worker, but I’m also a great musician. I can play a mean hammer dulcimer.
  12. Why did the construction worker get into a fight with his boss? He thought he deserved a raise, but his boss said he was just building castles in the air.
  13. Why did the construction worker get fired from the concrete company? He kept taking extended breaks.
  14. What did the construction worker say when he accidentally knocked down a wall? “Oops, I guess that was load-bearing.”
  15. I’m a construction worker, but I’m also an artist. I can make a work of art out of drywall and mud.
  16. Why did the construction worker have to go to the dentist? He chipped his tooth on a nail.
  17. What did the construction worker say when he finished the job early? “That was a concrete accomplishment!”
  18. Why did the construction worker refuse to work on a Friday? He said he was too drained.
  19. Why did the construction worker refuse to wear his hard hat? He said it was a constructional hazard.
  20. I’m a construction worker, but I also love to cook. I can make a mean sledgehammer steak.
  21. Why did the construction worker take a day off? He said he needed to build up his strength.
  22. What did the construction worker say when he finished building the playground? “That was swing-tastic!”
  23. Why did the construction worker refuse to work with wood? He said it was just plane boring.
  24. I’m a construction worker, but I also love to read. I can build a bookshelf faster than you can say “concrete slab.”
  25. Why did the construction worker have to go to the hospital? He fell in love with a beam and got a crush.

Architecture Jokes & Puns

Architecture Jokes & Puns:

  1. Why did the architect refuse to design a skyscraper in the shape of a pyramid? He said it was too much of a triangular trade.
  2. I’m an architect, but I also love to dance. I can make a blueprint look like a tango.
  3. Why did the architect refuse to work on a house made entirely of glass? He said it was too transparent.
  4. What did the architect say when he saw a crooked building? “That’s just not right.”
  5. Why did the architect refuse to design a building with a circular floor plan? He said it was too roundabout.
  6. I’m an architect, but I’m also a great storyteller. I can make a building have a narrative like it’s a novel.
  7. Why did the architect design a building with no windows? He wanted to keep the drafts out.
  8. What did the architect say when he saw a building with a sagging roof? “That’s not up to code!”
  9. Why did the architect refuse to work on a house with a thatched roof? He said it was too thatch-y.
  10. I’m an architect, but I also love to sing. I can make a building look like it’s hitting all the right notes.
  11. Why did the architect refuse to work on a house with a flat roof? He said it was too plain.
  12. What did the architect say when he saw a building with a leaky roof? “That’s a real drip.”
  13. Why did the architect refuse to work on a house with a door made of paper? He said it was too flimsy.
  14. I’m an architect, but I’m also a great comedian. I can make a blueprint look like a joke.
  15. Why did the architect refuse to work on a building with no foundation? He said it was a shaky investment.
  16. What did the architect say when he saw a building with no doors? “That’s a closed case.”
  17. Why did the architect refuse to work on a house with a chimney made of ice? He said it was too cold.
  18. I’m an architect, but I’m also a great painter. I can make a building look like a work of art.
  19. Why did the architect refuse to work on a house with a door made of rubber? He said it was too stretchy.
  20. What did the architect say when he saw a building with a tilted roof? “That’s a bit off-kilter.”
  21. Why did the architect refuse to work on a house with a door made of sandpaper? He said it was too rough.
  22. I’m an architect, but I’m also a great poet. I can make a building look like a sonnet.
  23. Why did the architect refuse to work on a building with no walls? He said it was too open-minded.
  24. What did the architect say when he saw a building with a crooked foundation? “That’s just not square.”
  25. Why did the architect refuse to work on a house with a door made of chocolate? He said it was too tempting.

Jokes About Working Hard

Jokes About Working Hard:

  1. Why did the lumberjack quit his job? He said it just didn’t cut it anymore.
  2. I work hard every day, but I still haven’t found that perfect work-life balance. Maybe I should just join the circus.
  3. Why did the chef refuse to take a break? He said he didn’t want to dessert his work.
  4. I work hard, but I also play hard. That’s why I’m always tired.
  5. Why did the mechanic refuse to take a day off? He said he didn’t want to brake the streak.
  6. I work hard, but I also like to relax. That’s why I take my breaks seriously.
  7. Why did the nurse refuse to take a break? She said she didn’t want to leave her patients in stitches.
  8. I work hard, but I also like to have fun. That’s why I always bring my A-game.
  9. Why did the teacher refuse to take a break? She said she didn’t want to give her students the wrong impression.
  10. I work hard, but I also like to enjoy life. That’s why I make time for the things that matter.
  11. Why did the athlete refuse to take a day off? He said he didn’t want to lose his competitive edge.
  12. I work hard every day, but sometimes I feel like I’m spinning my wheels.
  13. Why did the musician refuse to take a break? He said he didn’t want to miss a beat.
  14. I work hard, but I also know when to call it a day. That’s why I always try to finish strong.
  15. Why did the writer refuse to take a break? She said she didn’t want to lose her train of thought.
  16. I work hard every day, but sometimes I feel like I’m running in circles.
  17. Why did the accountant refuse to take a break? He said he didn’t want to lose his balance sheet.
  18. I work hard, but I also like to take a breather. That’s why I always try to find a moment of calm.
  19. Why did the artist refuse to take a break? She said she didn’t want to lose her inspiration.
  20. I work hard, but I also like to have a good laugh. That’s why I always appreciate a good joke.
  21. Why did the construction worker refuse to take a break? He said he didn’t want to hammer his productivity.
  22. I work hard every day, but I also try to find time for self-care. That’s why I prioritize my mental and physical health.
  23. Why did the entrepreneur refuse to take a break? He said he didn’t want to miss any opportunities.
  24. I work hard, but I also know when to step back and reassess. That’s why I always try to approach challenges with a clear mind.
  25. Why did the scientist refuse to take a break? He said he didn’t want to lose his momentum in his research.

FAQs – Construction Jokes 

What is some construction humor?

  1. Why did the construction worker quit his job? He didn’t get enough concrete compliments.
  2. Why did the contractor go bankrupt? He couldn’t budget himself.
  3. Why don’t construction workers play cards? They’re always raising the roof.
  4. What do you call a handyman who loves to dance? A DIY Disco.
  5. How do construction workers party? They raise the roof!

What are some jokes about construction?

  1. Why did the carpenter break up with his girlfriend? He saw her with another stud.
  2. What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta – just like a fake construction worker is an impasta.
  3. Why did the construction worker refuse to go on a break? He was already on a roll.
  4. Why did the lumberjack go to the doctor? He had too much timber in his eye.
  5. Why did the electrician get lost on the job site? He couldn’t find the current location.

What are some things construction workers say?

  1. “Measure twice, cut once.”
  2. “Let’s make sure it’s level before we screw it in.”
  3. “Safety first!”
  4. “This job is going to take longer than we thought.”
  5. “Hand me the hammer.”
  6. “Hold this steady for me.”
  7. “We’ll need more materials for this project.”
  8. “Let’s take a break before we start the next task.”
  9. “We’re going to need a bigger ladder.”
  10. “Good job, guys! Let’s wrap it up for the day.”

Conclusion

Construction jokes, also known as building, contractor, or architecture puns, typically use wordplay and humorous twists on construction-related terms and concepts.

Some common characteristics of these types of jokes include:

  • Double meanings: Many construction jokes rely on words or phrases that have two meanings, with one meaning being a literal or technical interpretation and the other being a more humorous or unexpected interpretation. For example, a joke about a contractor who “nailed” a project could refer to either the use of nails in construction or the successful completion of the project.
  • Puns: Puns involve playing with words that sound similar but have different meanings. Construction jokes often use puns to create humorous associations between building-related terms and other concepts. For instance, a joke about an architect being “on the level” could refer to both their professional integrity and their use of a level tool in construction.
  • Satire: Construction jokes may also employ satire to poke fun at the construction industry or its participants. Satirical jokes may highlight the sometimes chaotic or frustrating aspects of construction projects, or they may target specific groups or individuals within the industry.
  • Visual humor: Some construction jokes may incorporate visual elements, such as cartoons or illustrations, to enhance the comedic effect. These visual elements may play on construction-related themes or situations, such as scaffolding mishaps or architectural design fails.

Overall, construction jokes rely on clever wordplay and humor to make light of the often challenging and complex world of building and construction.

Related

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *