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Basic Rules of Punctuation

This document provides guidelines for using punctuation marks such as commas, semicolons, colons, and dashes. It explains the basic rules for when to use each punctuation mark and provides examples. Commas are used to separate elements in a list, set off nonrestrictive clauses, and join independent clauses with conjunctions. Semicolons join closely related independent clauses or separate elements in a list with internal commas. Colons introduce a list or expand on a preceding independent clause. Dashes set off parenthetical elements and signal abrupt changes in thought.

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44 views

Basic Rules of Punctuation

This document provides guidelines for using punctuation marks such as commas, semicolons, colons, and dashes. It explains the basic rules for when to use each punctuation mark and provides examples. Commas are used to separate elements in a list, set off nonrestrictive clauses, and join independent clauses with conjunctions. Semicolons join closely related independent clauses or separate elements in a list with internal commas. Colons introduce a list or expand on a preceding independent clause. Dashes set off parenthetical elements and signal abrupt changes in thought.

Uploaded by

engrsyedrizwan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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THE SPEAKING, ARGUING, AND WRITING PROGRAM

BASIC RULES OF PUNCTUATION

COMMA (,)

When to use:

 Before a conjunction (and, but, or, nor, so, far, yet) to connect independent clauses
He frowned, but she did not understand why she was worried.

 After most introductory words, phrases or clauses


After the noisy party, the neighbors complained.

 Before and after extra (nonrestrictive) information included in a sentence (“extra commas
for extra information”)
My father, a computer programmer, works late at night.

 Around transitional expressions


The ending, however, is disappointing.

 To separate three or more items in a series


They ordered eggs, bacon, and potatoes.

 Between coordinate evaluative adjectives


We ate a delicious, well-prepared, and inexpensive meal.

 After a verb that introduces a quotation


She gasped, “We haven’t a moment to lose!”

When not to use (* highlighted comma shows incorrect usage)


Do not use a comma to:

 To separate a verb from its subject


Interviewing so many women in the United States, helped the researcher understand the
“American Dream”

 Within a compound structure when the second part of the compound is not an independent
clause
Amy Tan has written novels, and adapted them for the screen.

 After a coordinating conjunction that connects two sentences (comma goes only before
conjunction)
The Joy Luck Club is supposed to be good, but, I missed it when it came to my local theater.

 To connect two independent clauses when no coordinating conjunction is present

www.mthoyloke.edu/saw
THE SPEAKING, ARGUING, AND WRITING PROGRAM
Amy Tan has written novels, they have been adapted for the big screen. (Use semicolon
instead)

 To separate an independent clause from a following dependent clause introduced by after,


before, because, if, since, unless, until, or when
The test results were good, because all the students had studied in groups.

 To separate a clause beginning with “that” from the rest of the sentence
The girl in Tan’s story tried to convey to her mother, that she did not have to be a child
prodigy.

Note: A comma can appear before a “that” clause when it is the second comma of a pair before and
after extra information inserted as a nonrestrictive phrase.
 He skates so fast, despite his size, that he will probably break the world record.

 To separate a verb from its object or complement


The qualities required for the job are, punctuality, efficiency, and the ability to work long
hours.

 After “such as”


They bought kitchen supplies such as, detergent, paper towels, and garbage bags.

SEMICOLON (;)
Use a semicolon instead of a period when the ideas in two independent clauses are very closely
connected and you want readers to expect more.

When to use
 Connect two independent clauses with a semicolon to avoid a run-on sentence or a comma
splice
Biography tells us about the subject; biographers also tell us about themselves.

 To separate items in a list containing internal commas


When I cleaned out the refrigerator, I found chocolate cake, half-eaten; some canned tomato
paste, which had a blue fungus growing on the top; and some possibly edible meat loaf.

Do not use
 Semicolons interchangeably with colons.
They contributed a great deal of food; salad, chili and dessert. (Use a colon instead)

 After an introductory phrase or dependent clause, even if the phrase or clause is long.
Because the training period was so long and arduous for all the players; the manager allowed one
visit by family and friends. (Use a comma instead)

Note: Do not overuse semicolons. Use them in place of a period only when the link between the two
independent clauses is strong.

www.mthoyloke.edu/saw
THE SPEAKING, ARGUING, AND WRITING PROGRAM
COLON (:)
Colons serve two functions: (1) that a writer is introducing a quotation or a list of items and (2) that a
writer is separating two clauses of which the second expands or illustrates the first.

When to use
 After an independent clause to introduce a list
The students included three pieces of writing in their portfolios: a narrative, an argument, and a
documented paper.

 After an independent clause to introduce an explanation or elaboration


The author has performed a remarkable feat: she has maintained suspense to the last page.

Note: You may use a capital letter after a colon introducing an independent clause. Be consistent in your
usage.

Do not use
 Directly after a verb (such as a form of be or include)
The two main effects were: the improvement of registration and an increase in the number of
advisers. (No punctuation necessary)

The book includes: a preface, an introduction, an appendix, and an index. (No punctuation
necessary)

 Directly after a preposition or “such as”


They packed many different items for the picnic, such as: salsa, pita bread and egg rolls. (No
punctuation necessary)

DASH (—)
Dashes suggest a change of pace. They alert the reader to something unexpected, an interruption, or an abrupt
change of thought. Form a dash by typing two hyphens, putting no extra space before, between, or after them.

 Armed with one weapon—her wit—she faced the crowd.


 The accused gasped, “But I never—” and fainted.

Commas can be used to set off appositive phrases, but dashes are preferable when the phrase itself contains
commas.
 The contents of her closet—lightweight shirts, shorts, and sandals—made her reassess her readiness
for winter in New England.

Source Consulted: Raimes, Ann. Keys for Writers. Cengage Learning, 2004. Print.

www.mthoyloke.edu/saw

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