Commas, Semicolons, and Apostrophes Punctuation Rules Commas, Semicolons, and Apostrophes

When to use commas Use commas to separate three or more words in a series. Use a comma before a conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to separate two sentences. Use commas to separate adjectives of equal rank but not ones that must stay in a specific order (Eager, devoted fans waited outside.). Use a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or clause (yes, as, after, when, if, although)

Commas Continued Use commas to set off appositives (Jack, a football player, is my friend.). Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions (a part of a sentence that can be removed without changing the essential meaning of that sentence) [We hoped, however, that the weather would improve.]. Use a comma with day and month, city and state, and addresses Use a comma for dialogue (“Soon,” mused Paul, “this day will be over.”

Commas Continued 9. Use commas to set off phrases that express contrast. (Some say the world will end in ice, not fire.) 10. Use a comma to avoid confusion. (For most, the year is already finished.)

Semicolon Rules Use a semicolon in place of a period to separate two sentences where the conjunction has been left out. (Call me tomorrow; I will give you my answer then.) Use with conjunctive adverbs (for example, consequently, furthermore, however, therefore) [She is really nice; however, she gets in trouble in school. Use with a transitional expression (Stan loves sports; in addition, he has excellent coordination.) Use with that already have commas. (This conference has people who have come from Boise, Idaho; Los Angeles, California; and Nashville, Tennessee. Use between two sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction when one or more commas appear in the first sentence. (When I finish here, I will be glad to help you; and that is a promise I will keep.)

Apostrophe Rules Possessives: 1. Add an apostrophe and –s to singular nouns (Jack’s jacket) Add just an –s to plural nouns (the girls’ bikes) Add an apostrophe and an –s to plural nouns that do not end in –s (the women’s jobs, the children’s papers) To show individual ownership, make each noun in the series possessive (Ted’s, Jim’s and Cliff’s bunks) To show joint ownership, make the last noun in the series possessive (the boys and girls’ teacher) If your name ends in an –s than add the ‘s (Mrs. Burns’s class, Carlos’s pencil)