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Basic Punctuation Rules
Commas
Commas indicate a separation of ideas or elements within the structure of a sentence.
For more, see the Writing Center’s “A Quick Look at Commas” handout.
Commas are used to separate three or more words, The class includes freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.
phrases, or clauses (sentence parts) in a series.
Commas are used after an introductory Hoping for a good grade, she stayed up late to work
dependent clause (a group of words before the on her paper.
subject of a
sentence that do not form a complete sentence).
Commas indicate that introductory words and Before he was a professor, he was a missionary.
phrases moved from the end of the sentence. From: He was a missionary before he was a
professor.
Commas are used between independent clauses My friends went to chapel on Monday morning, but I
(complete sentences) joined by a coordinating went to Kales on Wednesday night.
conjunction: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
Commas set off nonessential phrases or clauses (the My professor, who is really strict, said to turn the
phrase can be removed without changing the sentence’s paper in by midnight.
overall meaning) or appositives (words or phrases that From: My professor said to turn the paper in by
rename a noun). midnight.
Commas separate paired adjectives that describe a Yes: The coffee shop makes huge, delicious muffins.
noun. You need a comma between adjectives that Yes: I love my red APU sweatshirt.
could go in any order –they’re not cumulative and No: I will bring my giant, biology book.
could be separated by the word “and.” Do not use a Yes: I will bring my giant biology book.
comma between adjectives that need to be in a
particular order.
Semicolons
Semicolons separate clauses or phrases that are related and that receive equal emphasis. You can go
your whole life without using them, or you can impress your readers by using them correctly!
Semicolons join two independent clauses Megan said she was tired; she had stayed up late doing
(complete sentences) that are closely related homework.
if no coordinating conjunction is used. We were planning to go get coffee; however, he wanted
Semicolons signal to a reader that the to go to Donut Man.
information in both sentences should be taken
together.
Semicolons help avoid confusion between items in She traveled to Dublin, Ireland; Valencia, Spain; and
lists where there are already commas. Edinburgh, Scotland.
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Rana Muhammad Umair Jameel 0321-4844816
Quotation Marks
Quotation marks show the beginning and end of a quotation or title of a short work. When
citing, the quotation and punctuation rules change; see “Paraphrasing and Quoting” and
specific citation handouts for more help.
Quotation marks enclose the exact words of a person. C.S. Lewis said, “God cannot give us a happiness and
peace apart from Himself, because it is not there.”
Do not use quotation marks around a paraphrase C.S. Lewis said that happiness and peace can come
or summary. only from God.
Quotation marks set off the titles of smaller works “Short Story” Book of Stories “Poem” Book of Poetry
within larger works. This can vary between “Episode” Television Show “Chapter” Book
different citation styles, so double-check your style “Article” Magazine “Song” Album
guide for accuracy. “Article” Journal Movie Play
Place periods and commas inside quotation marks. The Writing Center consultant said, “Here’s a handout
on commas.”
Place semicolons and colons outside quotation marks. They call Jon Wallace “J-Dub”; he’s the president of
APU.
Place question marks or exclamation points inside It’s such a good reminder of God’s power when
the quotation marks if they punctuate the quotation He asks Moses, “Who decides whether people
only. However, if the quote does not include a speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or
question or exclamation, but the sentence itself is do not see? Is it not I, the Lord?” (Exodus 4:11).
asking a question or exclaiming, the question mark or
exclamation point sits outside of the quotation marks. Who said, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”?
Apostrophes
Apostrophes show possession and indicate where a letter has been omitted to form a contraction.
To show possession, add an apostrophe and an s to singular Jenny’s book Jesus’s disciples
nouns or indefinite pronouns that end in one or body. somebody’s laptop the waltz’s tempo
Add only an apostrophe for plural possessive nouns my parents’ car
ending in s. Remember that the apostrophe placement the musicians’ instruments
depends on whether there is more than one noun: student’s
books (one student), students’ books (more than one
student).
Do not use an apostrophe with possessive personal pronouns. yours, his, hers, ours, theirs, whose, its
Apostrophes are also used in contractions, two words I am=I’m cannot= can’t
which have been combined into one, to mark where the I have= I’ve they are= they’re
missing letter or letters would be. let us= let’s you are= you’re,
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Rana Muhammad Umair Jameel 0321-4844816
Colons
Colons follow independent clauses and call attention to the information that comes after.
Colons come after the Word: Lately, I have had only one thing on my mind: graduation.
independent clause Phrase: Lately, I have had one thing on my mind: graduating from college.
(complete sentence) and Clause: Lately, I have had only one thing on my mind: I can’t wait to
before the word, phrase, graduate. List: Lately, I have had several things on my mind:
sentence, quotation, or list homework, papers,
they are introducing. grades, and finals.
Never use a colon after a verb Incorrect: The things on my mind are: homework, papers, and finals.
that directly introduces a list. Correct: The things on my mind are the following: grades, papers, and finals.
Correct: The things on my mind are homework, papers, and finals.
Hyphens
Hyphens are used to form compound words or join word units. They are also used to join
prefixes, suffixes, and letters to words.
Use hyphens with compound numbers from Forty-two students
twenty- one to ninety-nine and with fractions used Three thousand five hundred and sixty-seven students
as modifiers. Two-thirds majority (Two-thirds is an adjective,
here.) Two thirds of the voters (Here, two is the
adjective modifying thirds.)
Use hyphens in a compound adjective only when it a well-liked author
comes before the word it modifies. There are an author who is well liked
exceptions; look up compound adjectives in the a world-renowned composer
dictionary if you are unsure whether or not a composer who is world renowned
tohyphenate them.
Use a hyphen with the prefixes ex-, self-, and all-; with all-star ex-mayor pro-Canadian senator-elect
the suffix elect-; and with all prefixes before a proper non-European self-control self-image
noun or proper adjective.
Use a hyphen with compound phrases. Note: When the nine-year-old He is nine years
describing ages, phrases that function as adjectives old. sister-in-law all-or-nothing
will use hyphens, while numbers as adjectives will not up-to-date soon-to-be
use hyphens.
Also, note how hyphens can change meaning and use a hot-water bottle (a bottle for holding hot water)
them accordingly. a hot water bottle (a bottle of water that is hot)
to re-press a shirt (to iron again)
to repress bad memories (to keep down)
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Dashes
Dashes—often confused with hyphens—connect groups of words to other groups of words to
emphasize a point. Usually, the dash separates words in the middle or at the end of a
sentence.
In the middle of a sentence, a dash can put special Incorrect: Our ideas for the weekend, going to a
emphasis on a group of words or make them movie, having a picnic, doing homework, and
stand out from the rest of the sentence. hiking Garcia Trail, seemed like a lot to squeeze in.
Correct: Our ideas for the weekend—going to
a movie, having a picnic, doing homework,
and hiking Garcia Trail—seemed like a lot to
squeeze in.
At the end of a sentence, a dash separate information I knew the material perfectly—until test day.
from the rest of the sentence. I went to the park—the one west of Main Street.
TIP: To insert the dash into a typed document, just type two hyphens and the next word; when you hit the space
bar after the word, most word processors will automatically turn the hyphens into a dash (-- becomes —).
Parentheses
Parentheses set off elements within a sentence that are related to the sentence but nonessential.
Parentheses set off additions or expressions that We visited several European countries
are not necessary to the sentence. They tend to de- (England, France, and Spain) on our trip last
emphasize what they set off. They are often seen as year.
less academic in tone.
Parentheses enclose figures in a sentence. Note: Grades will be based on (1) participation, (2) in-class
Use of numbers like this in sentences may vary writing, and (3) exams.
for different citation styles. Double-check citation
guidelines.
When the group inside the parentheses forms a The snow (she saw it as she passed the window) was
complete sentence but is inserted inside a larger now falling heavily.
sentence, no period is needed. However, if a
question mark or exclamation point is needed, it
may be used.
When parentheses are used to enclose an independent Mandy told me she saw Amy’s new car. (I saw
sentence, the end punctuation belongs inside the Amy’s car before Mandy.) She said it was nice.
parentheses.
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