Punctuation Rules

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Punctuation Rules

Periods/Full Stops:
Rule 1. Use a period at the end of a complete sentence that is a statement.

Example: I know him well.

Rule 2. If the last item in the sentence is an abbreviation that ends in a period, do not
follow it with another period.

Incorrect: This is Alice Smith, M.D..


Correct: This is Alice Smith, M.D.
Correct: Please shop, cook, etc. We will do the laundry.

Rule 3. Question marks and exclamation points replace and eliminate periods at the
end of a sentence.

Commas:
Commas and periods are the most frequently used punctuation marks. Commas
customarily indicate a brief pause; they're not as final as periods.

Rule 1. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or
more items.

Example: My estate goes to my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and nephew.

Note: When the last comma in a series comes before and or or (after daughter-in-
law in the above example), it is known as the Oxford comma. Most newspapers and
magazines drop the Oxford comma in a simple series, apparently feeling it's
unnecessary. However, omission of the Oxford comma can sometimes lead to
misunderstandings.

Example: We had coffee, cheese and crackers and grapes.


Adding a comma after crackers makes it clear that cheese and crackers represents
one dish. In cases like this, clarity demands the Oxford comma.

Example: We had coffee, cheese and crackers, and grapes.

Rule 2. Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the order of the adjectives is
interchangeable.

Example: He is a strong, healthy man.


We could also say healthy, strong man.

Example: We stayed at an expensive summer resort.


We would not say summer expensive resort, so no comma.

Another way to determine if a comma is needed is to mentally put and between the two
adjectives. If the result still makes sense, add the comma. In the examples above, a
strong and healthy man makes sense, but an expensive and summer resort does not.

Rule 3. If something or someone is sufficiently identified, the description that follows is


considered nonessential and should be surrounded by commas.

Examples:
Freddy, who has a limp, was in an auto accident.
If we already know who Freddy is, the description is not essential.

The boy who has a limp was in an auto accident.


We do not know which boy is meant without further description; therefore, no
commas are used.

Rule 4. Use a comma after certain words that introduce a sentence, such as well, yes,
why, hello, hey, etc.
Examples:
Why, I can't believe this!
No, you can't have a dollar.
Hello, class! How is everyone today?

Rule 5. Use commas to set off expressions that interrupt the sentence flow
(nevertheless, after all, by the way, on the other hand, however, etc.).

Example: I am, by the way, very nervous about this.


The judges, however, are not convinced with the evidence.

Rule 6. Use commas to set off the name, nickname, term of endearment, or title of a
person directly addressed.

Examples:
Will you, Aisha, do that assignment for me?
Yes, old friend, I will.
Good day, sir.

Rule 7. When starting a sentence with a dependent clause, use a comma after it.

Example: If you are not sure about this, let me know now.

But often a comma is unnecessary when the sentence starts with an independent
clause followed by a dependent clause.

Example: Let me know now if you are not sure about this.

Rule 8. Similarly, use commas to enclose degrees or titles used with names.

Example: Al Mooney, M.D., is here.

Rule 9. Use commas to introduce or interrupt direct quotations of dialogue or text.


Examples:
He said, "I don't care."
Toni Morrison wrote, "If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been
written yet, then you must write it."

If the quotation comes before he said, she wrote, they reported etc., end the quoted
material with a comma.

Examples:
"I don't care," he said.
"Stop," he said.

If a quotation is preceded by introductory words such as that, whether, if, a comma is


normally not needed.

Example: Was it James Baldwin who wrote that "nothing can be changed until it is
faced"?

Rule 10. Use a comma to separate a statement from a question.

Example: I can go, can't I?

Rule 11. Use a comma to separate contrasting parts of a sentence.

Example: That is my money, not yours.

Rule 12. Use a comma before and after certain introductory words or terms, such
as namely, that is, i.e., e.g., including, and for instance, when they are followed by a
series of items.

Example: You may be required to bring many items, e.g., sleeping bags, pans, and
warm clothing.
Rule 13. Commas should precede the term etc. and enclose it if it is placed
midsentence.

Example: Sleeping bags, pans, warm clothing, etc., are in the tent.

Question Marks:
Rule 1. Use a question mark only after a direct question.

Correct: Will you go with me?

Rule 2. Capitalize the word that follows a question mark.

Example: What are you saying? You can’t be serious.

Rule 3. Use a period after an indirect question.

Direct: He said, “Are you going to a trip?”


Indirect: He asked if I was going to a trip.

Rule 4. Use a question mark when a sentence is half statement and half question.

Example: You do care, don't you?

Exclamation Points:
Rule 1. Use an exclamation point to show emotion, emphasis, or surprise.

Examples:
I'm truly shocked by your behavior!
Yay! We won!

Rule 2. An exclamation point replaces a period at the end of a sentence.

Incorrect: I'm truly shocked by your behavior!.


Correct: I'm truly shocked by your behavior!
Rule 3. Avoid using an exclamation point in formal business writing.

Quotation Marks:
Rule 1. Use double quotation marks to set off a direct (word-for-word) quotation.

Example: “I hope you will be here,” he said.


He said, “I hope you will be here.”

Rule 2. Always capitalize the first word in a complete quotation, even midsentence.

Example: Lamar said, “The case is far from over, and we will win.”

Rule 3. Do not capitalize quoted material that continues a sentence.

Example: Lamar said that the case was “far from over” and that “we will win.”

Rule 4. Periods and commas ALWAYS go inside quotation marks.

Examples: The sign read, “Walk.” Then it said, “Don't Walk,” then, “Walk,” all
within thirty seconds.
He yelled, “Hurry up.”

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