Press "Enter" to skip to content

Punctuation

Punctuation

Make your mark as a writer

Word usage and punctuation are more likely to trip writers than basic grammar. Of particular danger in punctuation are commas, apostrophes, semicolons, colons, and hyphens. This introduction to punctuation discusses the uses of punctuation marks, not formatting issues. For information about typing and punctuation, see our documents on formatting.

Period (.)

Sentences end with periods. The common error is to replace
a period with a weaker
form of punctuation, such as a comma or semicolon. Writers must rely
on experience to make the proper determination in some cases. The rule
of using a period at a full stop is insufficient; make
sure periods end complete sentences, not fragments.

Comma (,)

Commas represent short pauses in speech. Keeping this
in mind might help a writer avoid the overuse of commas. Many readers
and writers insert commas too often. Commas do not precede conjunctions
unless indicative of a list. Removing commas when possible makes for
stronger, easier-to-read passages of text.

Lists

The most common use for commas is the construction of
lists. If the list is simple
there is no need for a comma before the conjunction according to most
current grammar texts. However, we prefer a comma be used before the
conjunction in all cases. Strunk & White suggest commas in all lists, but the AP Stylebook does not. If any item in the list includes a conjunction, replace the commas with semicolons.

Addressing a Person

When addressing a person, use a comma after his or her
name. When a direct address is implied, but a specific name not used,
use a comma.

Shelly, would you please hand me the pen?

No, sir, I did not remember to bring paper to class.

Dates

A comma follows the day of the month in a long date.
Some experts suggest a comma should also follow the year.

Phrases and Clauses

When a phrase or clause is nonessential to the structure
of a sentence, use a comma to mark the phrase or clause. Comments meant
to give background are known as appositives.

The cat, confused by living with dogs, learned to beg and
shake hands on command.

Equal Adjectives

Adjectives of equal importance are separated by commas.

The cold, silent breeze moved across the barren land.

Conjunctions

Use a comma before a conjunction when two thoughts are
expressed. Do not use a comma when there is one thought.

She was glad she wrote the novel, but she hated the publicity.

Quotes (“ ”)

Introduce or end a quotation with a comma, separating
it from the remainder of the sentence. The comma goes within the quotation
marks.

Question Mark (?)

Question marks end interrogatives, better known as questions.

Exclamation Point (!)

Exclamation points end sudden statements, interjections,
and sentences expressing strong emotions. Use exclamation points sparingly;
overuse reduces their effectiveness. In works of fiction it is advisable
to reserve exclamation points for dialogue.

Quotation Marks (“ ”)

Use quotation marks to indicate dialogue; to define or
clarify ideas; and to emphasize words or phrases in special cases.

“Hello,” the clerk said.
“Can I help you?”

When something is “fly,” it is
“very cool.”

There is nothing worse than being made
“redundant” during a merger.

Apostrophe (’)

Possessives

Unfortunately, possessives are not as simple as thought.
For most nouns, add an apostrophe and s to indicate ownership.

Experts disagree on the status
of nouns ending in s — some suggest adding the apostrophe and s improves clarity, while others argue adding the s is only proper if it is spoken. Still other authorities claim the s is never added, except in Biblical names! We tend to follow the “if spoken” rule. For possessive proper nouns ending in s, do not add the additional s after the apostrophe.

Yes, this can be quite confusing. Keep a copy of Strunk
& White
nearby, along with applicable style guides.

Contractions

Use contractions with care. While contractions make dialogue
more believable, they also decrease the readability of exposition. The
words commonly contracted are will, has, and was linked to not.

Dates

A common error is the use of an apostrophe following
a year and the letter s. It is improper to write, “During the 1970’s, he was in Europe.” There should be no apostrophe in the preceding example. However, do use an apostrophe in place of the century when referring to a decade. It is proper to write, “During the ’70s, he was in Europe.”

Semicolon (;)

Semicolons represent pauses longer than those of commas.
Semicolons combine two closely-related independent clauses or replace
commas in lists.

Pauses

Semicolons combine short sentences with relating subjects
or predicates. In these instances the semicolon acts as a conjunction.

John writes a magazine column; the column is popular.

Lists

Use semicolons to separate items in a list when the items
are phrases or one of the items includes a conjunction.

At 2 a.m., the diner serves bacon and eggs; ham-steak and
toast; and a burger with fries.

Colon (:)

Use a colon to introduce a list. Do not capitalize the
first word of the list unless it is a proper noun or the list is a set
of sentences. A colon is used to introduce a bullet-list of items, too.

Hyphen (-)

A hyphen is a short, thick line, even with the top of
a lowercase x in most typefaces. The hyphen is not a dash, though years of typing taught students they were the same.

Compound Modifiers

When a compound modifier precedes a noun or follows a
conjunction of to be in a sentence, use a hyphen to link the modifiers.

The little-known writer was brilliant nonetheless.

Text Justification

Use a hyphen to split a word across lines of text only
at a syllable. Avoid
hyphenation in manuscripts and when columns are narrow. Note: most word processing programs can automatically hyphenate words, depending on your settings. Do not manually hyphenate.

Parentheses ( ( ) )

Parentheses can replace appositives, implying more important
revelations than commas.

Sally Javich (the rich, rich woman next door) founded several
businesses.

Ampersand (&)

Use the ampersand under two conditions: the name of an
organization or to identify the co-writer of a script. In other instances,
use and to combine ideas.

Dashes (— / –)

Abrupt changes or a shift in the writing style might
call for the use of an em-dash (—). Writers develop their own rules
for dashes, but because readers expect a major event or change, use dashes
sparingly. Some guides call for no spaces on either side of a dash, while
others call for one on each. If you cannot type an em-dash (maybe you
need to use a manual typewriter due to a power outage), two hyphens are
used.

The shorter en-dash (–) denotes a range, such as 1–10. An
en-dash is thinner, slightly longer, and usually lower than a hyphen.
The en-dash should not serve as a line-break.

Ellipsis (…)

While the ellipsis looks like three periods, it is a
unique punctuation symbol. An ellipsis is read as a long pause.

Trailing Thought

An ellipsis can indicate a
trailing thought, which is when a speaker or narrator slows
his or her words. If the ellipsis ends a sentence, most style guides
suggest adding a period to the end.

There was blood on the carpet, turning a dark crimson as
it dried. There was no way… not her….

Condensation

An ellipsis is often used to indicate the removal of
text to condense a quotation. Using an ellipsis implies the
text removed is unessential to the meaning of the quotation. When used
in this manner, a space often appears before and after the ellipsis.

As the world becomes connected via the Internet … new
types of communities will form.

Brackets ([ ])

Use brackets to indicate words missing from or intentionally
changed in dialogue or from a text. Do not use brackets in place of parentheses.

“The [product] is likely to change the entire [ink
pen] industry,” the CEO said. We cannot reveal the product’s
name at this time.