1. Comma, Apostrophe, Dash and Parenthesis
English 11 ACT/MME Preparation

2. Comma To separate items in a series
To separate short, independent clauses in a series (a series of sentences joined by commas)
To separate two or more adjectives preceding a noun (gorgeous, brown hair)
To separate independent clauses (sentences that can stand alone)
FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
After words such as well, yes, no, and why when they begin a sentence

3. Comma
After an introductory participle phrase (ing word: Wanting to help the victim, Dad pulled over)
After several consecutive introductory prepositional phrases (In the middle of the night, I was startled by the storm)
After an introductory adverbial clause (Because the rain is falling, we will have to cancel the picnic)
To set off parenthetical expressions (material that can be excluded from the sentence…This type of car, in my opinion, is overrated.)
NEVER use a comma to separate a subject from the verb! (An eighteen-year old in California, is now considered an adult. )

4. Comma To set off items in dates and addresses
(I was born on September 19, 1974)
Set off names in direct address
(Sally, will you go to the dance with me?)
Set off nonessential clauses and phrases
Here are some clues to help you decide whether the sentence element is essential:
* If you leave out the clause, phrase, or word, does the sentence still make sense?
* Does the clause, phrase, or word interrupt the flow of words in the original sentence?
*If you move the element to a different position in the sentence, does the sentence still make sense?
(That Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday, is the only day when I am available to meet.)
Set off appositives & appositive phrases
(New Jersey, the Garden State, is where we are headed.)

5. Apostrophe For common contractions (can’t, I’d hadn’t)
In place of omitted letters and numbers (Class of ‘07)
To express time or amount (yesterday’s newspaper, a minute’s time, five collars’ worth of fruit)
To form possessives with compound nouns (my mother-in-law’s advice)

6. Apostrophe & Possession
To form the possessive of a singular word, add an apostrophe +s (girl’s dress)
To form the possessive of a singular word that ends in s or z, either add the apostrophe after the s (Kansas’ population) OR add the apostrophe and another s (Kansas’s population) depending on how the word sounds! You could write James’ book OR James’s book- but you wouldn’t want to write Ulysses’s book!
To form the possessive of a plural word that ends in s, usually add an apostrophe (girls’ dresses, boys’ behavior)

7. Apostrophe & Possession
To form the possessive of a plural word that does not end in s, add an apostrophe and an s. (people’s voting)
To form the possessive of a shared item, add an apostrophe and an s to the last item in the series. (Chloe and Cade’s dog)
To form the possessive of a individual ownership in a series, add an apostrophe s to each item (We read Isaac’s, Tommy’s, and George’s essays)
To form the possessive of indefinite pronouns, add an apostrophe followed by an s. (Is this anyone’s business?)
BW#11

8. Dash
Show a sudden break in the sentence. Example: We could not remember the combination–every one of us!
Emphasize or explain a word or a series or group of words in a sentence. Example: The vowels—a, e, i, o,u, and sometimes y—appear frequently in the English language.
Show an interruption in speech. Example: The painting is—well—it is—let’s just say—interesting.

9. Parenthesis
Enclose material that explains. Example: Winston Churchill’s years as British Prime Minister ( , ) were memorable ones.
Enclose supplementary materials. Example: His many jobs (newspaper deliveryman, custodian, truck driver, and machinist) have taught him much about life.

10. Parenthesis
Enclose numbers or letters in a series within a sentence. Example: There are four types of sentences by purpose: (1) declarative, (2) imperative, (3) interrogative, and (4) exclamatory.