PUNCTUATION RULES

The Comma

1. Use a comma between two complete sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction: and, but, nor, for, so, or, yet.

Ex: The proposal arrived late, but we still considered it.

Ex: We wanted to approve the proposal, but it was missing a crucial section.

Note: The seven coordinating conjunctions listed above are the only coordinating conjunctions in the English language. They are the only words that can be used to join two sentences together with a comma.

 

2. Use a comma to separate items in a series.

Ex: I need to schedule a meeting, rehearse a talk, and write a trip report.

Ex: The report needs to include an executive summary, a table of contents, a glossary, and a reference page.

Note: There will always be one fewer commas than there are items in the list.

 

3. Use a comma to separate an introductory word, phrase, or clause from the rest of the sentence.

Ex: Whenever I have to edit his reports, I take two aspirins first.

Ex: On the first of the month, we will implement new guidelines.

 

4. Use a comma to set-off non-essential elements. A non-essential element adds additional information to the sentence but does not change the meaning of the sentence.

Ex: The conference room, which was being renovated, was cold and drafty.

Ex: My first dog, a bull mastiff, chewed up a sofa while I was away at work.

 

5. Use a comma between coordinate adjectives. Coordinate adjectives are adjectives which can be reversed in order without harming the meaning of the sentence. For example, the “deep blue sea” could not be reversed without causing damage to the sentence so “deep” and “blue” are not coordinate adjectives. The example below contains coordinate adjectives.

Ex: He was giving a long, boring talk that left his listeners lifeless.

 

The Semicolon

1. Use a semicolon between complete sentences not joined by coordinating conjunctions. Frequently, we use a semicolon with connecting words such as “moreover,” “however,” and “furthermore.” Such words are conjunctive adverbs, not coordinating conjunctions.

Ex: The class was very difficult; however, most students found it rewarding.

Ex: He did everything that was asked of him; furthermore, he actually exceeded expectations and did more than anyone asked or expected of him.

 

2. Use a semicolon between items in a series if the items contain commas.

The new members of the department are Delia Johns, computer programmer; Lance Stockton, systems analyst; and Shawn Muller, safety officer.

Note: Without the use of semicolons, it would be very difficult to read a sentence such as the one above.

 

The Colon

1. Use a colon to introduce a series of items following a complete construction such as the end of a sentence or after a complete prepositional phrase.

Ex: There are many elements in a formal technical report: title page, letter of transmittal, abstract, glossary, and references.

Note: Do not place a colon immediately following the main verb.

 

2. Use a colon after the following, as follows and similar words.

Ex: Students will read stories by the following authors: Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and Stein.

 

3. Use a colon between two independent clauses when the second explains and develops the first.

Workplace tension can be relieved by this simple remedy: Take a day off.

Note: With rule three, there is some disagreement even among the experts. The MLA Stylebook states that the second sentence following the comma need not be capitalized while the APA Style Manual states that the explanatory sentence following the colon must always be capitalized. Since the CGPS uses APA style almost exclusively, capitalize the second independent clause.

 

The Dash

1. Use dashes to set off a series of appositives (words that rename the subject of the sentence or clarify information about the subject of the sentence) that might be confused with the nouns they explain.

Ex: The three women — Walker, Wheatley, and Giovanni — are all well-known writers.


2. Use a dash to indicate hesitation in speech or a broken-off sentence.

Ex: “She — she fired me,” sobbed Linda.


3. Use dashes to set off a sharp interruption in the thought in a sentence.

Ex: Once — and once was enough — I questioned his authority.

 

back to top