Punctuation basics

Most common types of punctuation Sentence enders: period, exclamation point, question mark Sentence enders: period, exclamation point, question mark Comma Comma Semicolon Semicolon Colon Colon Apostrophe Apostrophe Quotation marks Quotation marks Sentence breakers: dash, parentheses, ellipsis Sentence breakers: dash, parentheses, ellipsis

Sentence enders Period Period Exclamation point Exclamation point Question mark Question mark

Semicolon To separate two independent clauses in a compound sentence. To separate two independent clauses in a compound sentence. David and Mike are brothers; however, they are very different. David and Mike are brothers; however, they are very different. To separate items in a list IF the listed items already contain commas. To separate items in a list IF the listed items already contain commas. I have four cats: Brin, who is the largest; Zelazny, who is Brin’s brother; LeGuin, who is small and black; and Butterscotch, who is the youngest. I have four cats: Brin, who is the largest; Zelazny, who is Brin’s brother; LeGuin, who is small and black; and Butterscotch, who is the youngest.

Colon To introduce a list. To introduce a list. Here is what I need to order: dry-erase markers, rubber bands, pens, pencils and printer paper. Here is what I need to order: dry-erase markers, rubber bands, pens, pencils and printer paper. To indicate time. 3:45 PM To indicate time. 3:45 PM To start a business letter. Dear Mr. Hirsi: To start a business letter. Dear Mr. Hirsi: To introduce a long quote. To introduce a long quote. In a famous speech, Abraham Lincoln said: “… In a famous speech, Abraham Lincoln said: “…

Apostrophe Contractions Contractions It’s probably going to rain tonight. It’s probably going to rain tonight. Possession Possession Aziza is Adam’s daughter. Aziza is Adam’s daughter. NOT used to indicate plurals!! NOT used to indicate plurals!!

Quotation marks Donna said, “I’m going down to the Outer Banks tomorrow to visit my brother. I’ll be there for a week.” Donna said, “I’m going down to the Outer Banks tomorrow to visit my brother. I’ll be there for a week.” What does “serendipity” mean? What does “serendipity” mean?

Dash Oscar came home from work--he was a blacksmith--and turned on the air conditioner. Oscar came home from work--he was a blacksmith--and turned on the air conditioner. "Is everyone--," began Olivia, choking with emotion. "Is everyone--," began Olivia, choking with emotion.

Parentheses The Gettysburg Address (a speech made after the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg) is one of the best- known speeches in American history. The Gettysburg Address (a speech made after the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg) is one of the best- known speeches in American history.

Ellipsis Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation... dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation... dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Comma Where it came from Where it came from General use General use

Comma – most common uses Separate items in a list Separate items in a list I need milk, bread, cheese and eggs from the store. I need milk, bread, cheese and eggs from the store. Separate APPOSITIVE words, phrases or clauses from the rest of the sentence Separate APPOSITIVE words, phrases or clauses from the rest of the sentence Well, Mary, I see what you mean, but the rest of the family won’t be happy about it. Well, Mary, I see what you mean, but the rest of the family won’t be happy about it.

Comma – most common uses After an initial dependent clause After an initial dependent clause After I finish this project, I’ll take a vacation day. After I finish this project, I’ll take a vacation day. To set off a NONRESTRICTIVE adjective clause. (This is another type of APPOSITIVE.) To set off a NONRESTRICTIVE adjective clause. (This is another type of APPOSITIVE.) Our youngest cat is Butterscotch, who is very small. Our youngest cat is Butterscotch, who is very small.

Restrictive clauses The information in a RESTRICTIVE adjective clause is necessary in order to clearly specify the noun phrase it modifies. No commas are used to set it off. The information in a RESTRICTIVE adjective clause is necessary in order to clearly specify the noun phrase it modifies. No commas are used to set it off. The woman who is sitting in the corner reading is Mrs. Wheeler. The woman who is sitting in the corner reading is Mrs. Wheeler.

Nonrestrictive clauses The information in a NONRESTRICTIVE adjective clause is additional information modifying a noun phrase that is already specific. Commas are used to set it off. The information in a NONRESTRICTIVE adjective clause is additional information modifying a noun phrase that is already specific. Commas are used to set it off. I had lunch on Wednesday with my mother-in-law, who lives in South Africa. I had lunch on Wednesday with my mother-in-law, who lives in South Africa.