Common Punctuation Problems

In addition to having problems with sentence fragments, run-ons, etc., students often become confused about punctuation rules that they may have forgotten. Therefore, we have provided some basic punctuation rules to help strengthen your writing.

Commas: 6 Rules

1. Put a comma between two complete independent clauses separated by a coordinating conjunction (separating two complete sentences and using and, but, etc.)

I went home. He went to the store. I went home, but he went to the store.

2. Put a comma after a phrase occurring before the subject and the independent clause.

(setting up time, if/then, cause and effect) After the class, the teacher graded the papers. If I go home, then I can get my books. Whenever I study too late, I always get a bad grade on the test.

All of these things happened or will happen before the second part of the sentence, so a comma separates the two pieces of information.

3. Around non-essential information.

(around material that interrupts the main flow of information in the sentence)

My mother, a scientist, works in Ames. My mother works in Ames.

4. Between three or more items in a series.

I ordered pancakes, eggs, and bacon. I went to the store, to the bank, and to the post office.

5. To set off transitional expressions.

Consequently, I want to go to Disneyland this summer, not next summer. I thought, therefore, that the movie was excellent.

6. Between an introductory verb and a quotation.

She said, "I want to go home." Jones states, "The war began with a single shot" (20).

Semicolons

1. Use a semicolon between two independent clauses (two complete sentences) when the two sentences are closely related. Think of a semicolon as a "soft period."

I didn't want to go to the party; I was tired. I want to take the class; however, I don't have time.

2. Use a semicolon to separate items in a list that already includes information separated by commas.

I have a million things in my purse, including a brush; a lipstick, which comes with a case; a wallet, with little money in it; and lots of old receipts, most of which I should throw away.

Colons

1. Use a colon after an independent clause to introduce a list. Do not use a colon after a phrase or a dependent clause to introduce a list.

Example:

Incorrect:

The prizes include: a boat, a car, and a house.

Correct:

I realized I had everything: money, fame, and a glamorous lifestyle.

2. Use a colon after an independent clause to introduce an elaboration or an explanation.

I have done the impossible: I have gotten both of the jobs I was hoping for.

3. Use a colon after an independent clause to express a rule (begin the rule with a capital letter).

Remember the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Apostrophes for possession

1. Single possessive

Mike's paper was perfect.

2. Plural possessive

All the girls' toys were left under the tree on Christmas Eve.

3. Words that end in "s"

The James' house was sold last week. (ends in "z" sound, so no extra "s") Thomas's car got stolen. (ends in "s" sound, so add extra "s")

4. Use an apostrophe between "it" and "s" only to represent "it is" or "it has".

The dog wagged its tail. (possessive, so no apostrophe) It's cold outside. ("It is" can be substituted, so apostrophe is correct)

Quotation marks

1. Use quotation marks only around the exact words that were written by the author or that were spoken by the original speaker.

2. Remember to always use closing quotation marks when you use opening quotation marks to avoid confusion.

3. When you are using outside sources in a paper, put the ending punctuation (except for question marks and exclamation points, if they are a part of the original quote) outside the quotation mark and the parenthetical documentation.

". . . Senator Roberts does not support gun control, however" (Jones 111).

4. When the quotation is incorporated into your own sentence and you are not documenting the quote in a works cited page, place periods and commas within the quotation marks. However, place question marks and exclamation points outside the quotation in this case.

She said that she wanted to go someplace "more fun," but I thought that bowling was a great way to spend the evening. Who are "the new business elite"?

Dashes

1. Use dashes to set off material that is inserted in the sentence when the inserted material includes commas.

I didn't know that three other things--computer skills, typing skills, and phone skills--were needed for the job.

2. Use a dash to indicate that something unusual or unexpected is going to be inserted.

I knew that there were two ways to go with the situation--straight ahead or up in flames.

Ellipsis dots

1. Use three ellipsis dots to indicate omitted material within a quote.

Brown said, "They both have strong feelings about this . . . and about each other" (18).

2. Use four ellipsis dots (three dots and a period) when the omitted material falls at the end of a quoted sentence and another quoted sentence follows.

Jones stated, "I think that the trial was affected from the beginning . . . . It was lost from the start" (22).

3. Use three ellipsis dots when you are omitting material at the end of a quoted sentence that ends your own sentence.

Jones stated, "I think that the trial was affected from the beginning . . . " (22).


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Common Punctuation Problems In addition to having problems with sentence fragments, run-ons, etc., students often become confused about punctuation rules that they may have forgotten. Therefore, we have provided some basic punctuation rules to help strengthen your writing. Commas: 6 Rules 1. Put a comma between two complete independent clauses separated by a coordinating conjunction (separating two complete sentences and using and, but, etc.) I went home. He went to the store. I went home, but he went to the store. 2. Put a comma after a phrase occurring before the subject and the independent clause. (setting up time, if/then, cause and effect) After the class, the teacher graded the papers. If I go home, then I can get my books. Whenever I study too late, I always get a bad grade on the test. All of these things happened or will happen before the second part of the sentence, so a comma separates the two pieces of information. 3. Around non-essential information. (around material that interrupts the main flow of information in the sentence) My mother, a scientist, works in Ames. My mother works in Ames. 4. Between three or more items in a series. I ordered pancakes, eggs, and bacon. I went to the store, to the bank, and to the post office. 5. To set off transitional expressions. Consequently, I want to go to Disneyland this summer, not next summer. I thought, therefore, that the movie was excellent. 6. Between an introductory verb and a quotation. She said, "I want to go home." Jones states, "The war began with a single shot" (20). Semicolons 1. Use a semicolon between two independent clauses (two complete sentences) when the two sentences are closely related. Think of a semicolon as a "soft period." I didn't want to go to the party; I was tired. I want to take the class; however, I don't have time. 2. Use a semicolon to separate items in a list that already includes information separated by commas. I have a million things in my purse, including a brush; a lipstick, which comes with a case; a wallet, with little money in it; and lots of old receipts, most of which I should throw away. Colons 1. Use a colon after an independent clause to introduce a list. Do not use a colon after a phrase or a dependent clause to introduce a list. Example: Incorrect: The prizes include: a boat, a car, and a house. Correct: I realized I had everything: money, fame, and a glamorous lifestyle. 2. Use a colon after an independent clause to introduce an elaboration or an explanation. I have done the impossible: I have gotten both of the jobs I was hoping for. 3. Use a colon after an independent clause to express a rule (begin the rule with a capital letter). Remember the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Apostrophes for possession 1. Single possessive Mike's paper was perfect. 2. Plural possessive All the girls' toys were left under the tree on Christmas Eve. 3. Words that end in "s" The James' house was sold last week. (ends in "z" sound, so no extra "s") Thomas's car got stolen. (ends in "s" sound, so add extra "s") 4. Use an apostrophe between "it" and "s" only to represent "it is" or "it has". The dog wagged its tail. (possessive, so no apostrophe) It's cold outside. ("It is" can be substituted, so apostrophe is correct) Quotation marks 1. Use quotation marks only around the exact words that were written by the author or that were spoken by the original speaker. 2. Remember to always use closing quotation marks when you use opening quotation marks to avoid confusion. 3. When you are using outside sources in a paper, put the ending punctuation (except for question marks and exclamation points, if they are a part of the original quote) outside the quotation mark and the parenthetical documentation. ". . . Senator Roberts does not support gun control, however" (Jones 111). 4. When the quotation is incorporated into your own sentence and you are not documenting the quote in a works cited page, place periods and commas within the quotation marks. However, place question marks and exclamation points outside the quotation in this case. She said that she wanted to go someplace "more fun," but I thought that bowling was a great way to spend the evening. Who are "the new business elite"? Dashes 1. Use dashes to set off material that is inserted in the sentence when the inserted material includes commas. I didn't know that three other things--computer skills, typing skills, and phone skills--were needed for the job. 2. Use a dash to indicate that something unusual or unexpected is going to be inserted. I knew that there were two ways to go with the situation--straight ahead or up in flames. Ellipsis dots 1. Use three ellipsis dots to indicate omitted material within a quote. Brown said, "They both have strong feelings about this . . . and about each other" (18). 2. Use four ellipsis dots (three dots and a period) when the omitted material falls at the end of a quoted sentence and another quoted sentence follows. Jones stated, "I think that the trial was affected from the beginning . . . . It was lost from the start" (22). 3. Use three ellipsis dots when you are omitting material at the end of a quoted sentence that ends your own sentence. Jones stated, "I think that the trial was affected from the beginning . . . " (22).
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