CAPITALIZATION & PUNCTUATION

CAPITALIZATION Capitalize proper nouns and proper adjectives. Capitalize the first word of each sentence.

SEMICOLONS Semicolons join two sentences without a coordinating conjunction. Semicolons can be used in a series with commas for clarity. He likes apples; she likes oranges. He goes to Harvard; however, she goes to Yale. We went to London, England; Paris, France; Madrid, Spain; and Dublin, Ireland.

APOSTROPHES Use apostrophes to make words possessive and to make contractions. Possessive pronouns do not use apostrophes (hers, his, its, etc.). Any word before the apostrophe must be a REAL word (children’s toys, not childrens’ toys). If the word is plural and ends in “s,” add the apostrophe only (dogs’ owners). For singular nouns ending in “s,” add either “ ’s ” or an apostrophe only to the word. If the word is a singular proper noun, add the apostrophe only (boss’s or boss’, Mr. Jones’). Do NOT use apostrophes to make words plural!

UNDERLINING/ITALICIZING Underlining and italicizing are used for the same reasons. Underline or italicize the titles of major works, such as newspapers, novels, magazines, CDs, movies, plays, etc. Underline or italicize the names of ships, planes, trains, artwork, etc. Underline or italicize foreign expressions.

QUOTATION MARKS Quote titles of short works, such as short stories, poems, songs, articles, etc. Quote dialogue and words copied from other sources. Commas and periods always go inside the quotation marks, unless the quote is followed by a parenthetical reference. Colons and semicolons belong on the outside of the quotation marks. Place a question mark or exclamation point within closing quotation marks, if the punctuation applies to the quotation itself. Place a question mark or exclamation point outside the closing quotation marks, if the punctuation applies to the whole sentence. Use single quotation marks to enclose quotes within a quote. Use double quotation marks in all other situations. Quotation marks may be used to indicate irony or to demonstrate some reservation about the word being used.

COMMAS Adverb dependent clause/ comma / independent clause. An adverb dependent clause consists of a subordinating conjunction, a subject, and a verb. Commonly used subordinating conjunctions are shown below: Independent clause / no comma / adverb dependent clause. When the independent clause comes first, there is no need for a comma. If it rains, we will go inside. after because since until although before so that when as even though whenever as if if unless while We will go inside if it rains.

COMMAS Tony likes pizza, but Joe likes tacos. Independent clause/ comma / coordinating conjunction / independent clause. Remember, the coordinating conjunctions are: F (for) A (and) N (nor) B (but) O (or) Y (yet) S (so). Subject / verb / no comma / coordinating conjunction / verb. Independent clause / semicolon / independent clause. When joining two independent clauses without a conjunction, you must use a semicolon. Tony likes pizza, but Joe likes tacos. Tony likes pizza but does not like vegetables. Tony likes pizza; Joe likes tacos.

COMMAS Running down the hall, I tripped and fell. Introductory participle phrase. When using an introductory participle phrase, it must be followed by a comma. Introductory prepositional phrase. When using an introductory prepositional phrase, it must be followed by a comma. Non-essential appositive or appositive phrase. Appositives must be set within commas, because they are not essential parts of the sentence. Running down the hall, I tripped and fell. After English class, we go to lunch. I wrote example sentences about my dogs, Cash and Diego, for our grammar review.

COMMAS Non-essential dependent adjective clause. A dependent adjective clause consists of a relative pronoun, subject, and verb. Relative pronouns are listed below: Items in a series. When listing items in a series, you should have one less comma than items listed. Noun of direct address. When addressing someone directly, their name or noun being used to address them should be set off inside commas. Running down the hall, I tripped and fell. that which who whom whose Please buy apples, oranges, and bananas. I love my new, warm, red coat. Emily, I hope you do well on the test. Please be quiet, class.

COMMAS Day of the week, month / date, year. Dates should include commas, except between the date and month. City, state, country. A comma always goes between the city and state or city and foreign country. Introductory word. When using a non-essential introductory word, it should be set off with a comma. Our winter break begins on Thursday, December 22, 2011, with an early dismissal. Our school is located in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, United States of America. We traveled to Munich, Germany and Tokyo, Japan. Hey, I saw you at the football game. So, how did you think you did on the test?

COMMAS The eighth grade, I believe, is ready for the Grammar Awards. Interrupter. When interrupting a sentence with a non-essential word or phrase, it should be set within commas. The eighth grade, I believe, is ready for the Grammar Awards.