Punctuation by Step

MDCAT: TOPIC-
PUNCTUATION
BY:
FARAZ AHMED
PGC BAHAWALPUR
MAJOR COMMA USES
RULE: 1
Use a comma to separate independent clauses when they are
joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions:
and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. (FANBOYS)
Independent clause+ , FANBOYS + Independent Clause
EXAMPLES:
1. The game was over, but the crowd refused to leave.
2. The student explained her question, yet the instructor still didn't
seem to understand.
3. Yesterday was her brother's birthday, so she took him out to dinner.
RULE: 2
Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or

clauses written in a series.
EXAMPLES:
1. The Constitution establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches

of government.
2. The candidate promised to lower taxes, protect the environment, reduce

crime, and end unemployment.
3. I don’t care whom you see, where you go, or what you do.
RULE: 3
Use a comma after a dependent clause that starts a sentence.
Dependent clause+ , + Independent Clause

EXAMPLES:
1. When I went running, I saw a duck.

2. If you're going to use improper language, please leave the bar.
3. Wherever you go, I will follow
RULE: 4
Use commas to set off phrases that express contrast.
EXAMPLES:
1. Some say the world will end in ice, not fire.

2. The puppies were cute, but very messy.
RULE: 5
Use a comma when a conjunctive adverb begins, interrupts, or
concludes a sentence.
EXAMPLES:
1. “However, I assure you, the organization is of international scope.”

2. “Nonetheless, that is the proposition,” Mr. Steward said.
3. The man forgot, however, where he had placed his keys.
RULE: 6
Use a comma to separate reported speech (quoted remarks) from

reporting speech.
EXAMPLES:
1. Cora said, “It’s time to go back.”

2. “All paths go to the same place,” he answered.
3. “You aren’t making sense,” Arthur said.
RULE: 7
Use a comma after introductory elements.
EXAMPLES:
1. Having finished the test, he left the room.

2. To get a seat, you'd better come early.
3. After the test, I went jogging.
RULE: 8
Use a comma to separate expressions like “Yes, No, Oh, Well.”
EXAMPLES:
1. “Oh, it’s quite authentic,” Mr. Steward answered.

2. “Yes, Mrs. Lewis,” Mr. Steward sounded pleased.
3. “No, I don’t think so,” she replied.
4. Well, perhaps he meant no harm.
RULE: 9
Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives
that describe the same noun.
EXAMPLES:
1. The bored, restless crowd began to shout. (coordinate adjectives)
2. She ate the sweet, juicy apple with a vengeance. (coordinate adjectives)
3. Marianne’s light blue dress fluttered in the breeze. (Non-coordinate)
4. She often wore a gray wool shawl. (Non-coordinate)
RULE: 10
Use a comma when directly addressing someone or something
in a sentence.
EXAMPLES:
1. “For heaven’s sake, Cora, let’s buy tickets for home!”

2. “Harry, what color of eyes have you got?”
3. “Sam, you shouldn’t have yellow eyes.”
4. “Here you are, Harry.” Sam handed him a pocket mirror.
RULE: 11
Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to start

clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the
meaning of the sentence.
EXAMPLES:
1. That Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday, is the only

day when I am available to meet.
2. This restaurant is very good. The food, on the other hand, is
rather tasteless.
3. Ellen Terry, who wrote letters to George Bernard Shaw, was
a famous actress.
RULE: 12
Separate a “Re-namer” (an appositive) from the rest of

the sentence with a comma.
EXAMPLES:
1. Mr. Jones, the foreman at the plant, is on leave today.

2. Jane, a famous trial lawyer, will represent Ms.Tishman.
RULE: 13
Use comma to separate tag Question from rest of the sentence.
EXAMPLES:
1. “You haven’t been prowling up in those ruins, have you?”

2. You’re in a good mood today, aren’t you?
3. You don’t really think they’d kill somebody, do you?”
USES OF SEMI-COLON
RULE: 1
Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by a

coordinating conjunction if the clauses are already punctuated
with commas.
EXAMPLES:
1. Some people write with a word processor, tablet, or a even a phone; but
others, for different reasons, choose to write with a pen or pencil.
2. When I finish here, and I will soon, I'll be glad to help you; and that is a
promise I will keep.
RULE: 2
Two independent clauses can be joined into one compound sentence

with a semicolon alone.
EXAMPLES:
1. I ordered a cheeseburger for lunch; life’s too short for counting calories.
2. We have paid our dues; we expect all the privileges listed in the contract.
RULE: 3
Use a semicolon between items in a list or series if any of the

items contain commas.
EXAMPLES:
There are basically two ways to write: with a pen or pencil, which is
inexpensive and easily accessible; or by computer and printer, which is
more expensive but quick and neat.
RULE: 4
Use a semicolon before a Conjunctive Adverb and a comma after

it if Conjunctive Adverb connects two independent clauses .
EXAMPLES:
1. Reports of the damage caused by the hurricane were greatly exaggerated;

indeed, the storm was not a “hurricane” at all.
2. The students had been advised against walking alone at night; however,
Cathy decided walking wasn’t dangerous if it was early in the evening.
USES OF COLON
RULE: 1
Use a colon to introduce a series of items. (*An independent clause
must precede the colon.)
EXAMPLES:
1. He wanted to see three cities in Italy: Rome, Florence, and Venice
2. The bookstore specializes in three subjects: art, architecture, and music.

RULE: 2
Use a colon between two independent clauses when the second

clause explains or expands the first clause.
EXAMPLES:
1. I have very little time to learn the language: my new job starts in five
weeks.
2. All three of their children are involved in the arts: Richard is a sculptor,
Diane is a pianist, and Julie is a theater director.
RULE: 3
If a quotation contains two or more sentences, use a colon

rather than a comma to start the quotation.
EXAMPLES:
1. Dad often said to me: "Work hard. Be honest. Always show up on time."
RULE: 4
Between hour and minute / chapter and verse of (The Holy Books.)
EXAMPLES:
1. At 4:30 p.m. the doors will be opened to the public.

2. You will find those words in Genesis 1: 14-17.
USES OF APOSTROPHE
RULE: 1 Use Apostrophe to show ownership.
a). Use an apostrophe + S ('s) to show that one person/thing owns

or is a member of something.
• The bike's handlebars were bent in the crash.
• My boss's job at the bank was eliminated due to budget cuts.
b). If the noun is plural and ends in -s, add only an apostrophe.
• Both bananas' peels had turned brown.

• The clowns' shoes protruded from the windows of the Volkswagen.
c). If a plural noun doesn't end in "s," add an apostrophe + "s"
• The children's play received a standing ovation.

• The men’s room has been renovated.
RULE: 2
a) If two people possess the same item, put the apostrophe + s

after the second name only.
• The man and woman's car was badly damaged.

• Bob and Jim’s parents have left the house.
b) If multiple nouns each possess another noun individually, each

noun should have an apostrophe.
• The student's and the teacher's motivations were in conflict.

• Ali’s and his friend’s parents are on their way.
RULE: 3
Use Apostrophe for contractions.
It is = it’s I am = I’m Who is = who’s Has not = Hasn’t

You are = You’re Do not = Don’t She will = she’ll They have = They’ve
He is = He’s Does not = Doesn’t They had = They’d She would = She’d
RULE: 4
The personal pronouns hers, ours, yours, theirs, its, whose, and the
pronoun oneself never take an apostrophe.
• Who's glasses are these? (Incorrect)

• Whose glasses are these? (Correct)
• This is my ATM Card. It’s pin code is not working. (Incorrect)

• This is my ATM Card. Its pin code is not working. (Correct)
RULE: 5
a) With a singular compound noun, add the apostrophe + s only to

the last word.
1. My brother-in-law's love of driving knows no limits.
2. The president-elect's agenda proposed no major policy changes.
b) If an indefinite pronoun owns a noun, add apostrophe + s.

1. Someone's car is parked in the loading zone.
2. Does anybody's key fit this lock?
USES OF
CAPITALIZATION
RULE: 1
A) Capitalize the first letter of a sentence.
1. The cat is sleeping.
2. Where did I put that book?
B) Capitalize Names and Other Proper Nouns.
1. “That’s natural,” Mr. Steward said.
2. “How about some baby boy in Pennsylvania?” Arthur countered.
C) The first letter of reported speech (within inverted commas) is capital.
 “You aren’t making sense,” Arthur said.
D) In case reporting speech is between two reported speeches, the first
letter of the second reported speech should start with a small letter.
 “If you push the button,” Mr. Steward told him, “somewhere in the
world someone you don’t know will die.”
E) ‘I’ as a pronoun is always capital.
 “May I come in?” asked Mr. Steward.
 “I ‘m rather busy,” Norma said.
RULE: 2
A) Capitalize when two or more sentences follow a colon.

 We have set this restriction: Do your chores before watching
television. That includes washing the dishes.
B) Do not capitalize after a colon if you are writing a list, or if there
is only one sentence following the colon:
 There are many metals hidden away within the earth's crust: gold,
zinc, and lead are just a few examples.
 There is a way to remember test information: study a lot the night
before your big midterm!
RULE: 3
A) Capitalize titles when they are used before names, unless the
title is followed by a comma. Do not capitalize the title if it is
used after a name or instead of a name.
 The president will address Congress.

 Chairman of the Board William Bly will preside at the conference.
 Governor Mao;
 Lieutenant Charles;
 Attorney General Bradley.
USES OF FULL STOP
USE A FULL STOP:
1). At the end of a sentence.
• She didn’t like his attitude.
2). After abbreviations

• B.B.C. (British Broadcasting Corporation).
• Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Lewis
3). At the end of indirect questions.

• I wondered why she bunked the class.
• Margaret was wondering what she could do to help.
USES OF QUESTION MARK
1). Use a question mark only after a direct question.
• “What are you talking about?” asked Arthur.

• “Who do you represent?” demanded Norma.
2). Use a question mark when a sentence is half statement and

half question.
• You don’t really think they’d kill somebody, do you?”
• You do care, don't you?
3). A sentence having an interrogative tone may be converted

into a direct question.
• “Mrs. Lewis?” he inquired politely.
• “Yes?”
• “I ‘m Mr. Steward.”
Thank You

Punctuation by Step

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Punctuation by Step

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Punctuation by Step

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

MDCAT: TOPIC-

Independent clause+ , FANBOYS + Independent Clause

1. The game was over, but the crowd refused to leave.

Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or

1. The Constitution establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches

2. The candidate promised to lower taxes, protect the environment, reduce

Use a comma after a dependent clause that starts a sentence.

Dependent clause+ , + Independent Clause

1. When I went running, I saw a duck.

Use commas to set off phrases that express contrast.

1. Some say the world will end in ice, not fire.

1. “However, I assure you, the organization is of international scope.”

Use a comma to separate reported speech (quoted remarks) from

1. Cora said, “It’s time to go back.”

Use a comma after introductory elements.

1. Having finished the test, he left the room.

Use a comma to separate expressions like “Yes, No, Oh, Well.”

1. “Oh, it’s quite authentic,” Mr. Steward answered.

1. The bored, restless crowd began to shout. (coordinate adjectives)

1. “For heaven’s sake, Cora, let’s buy tickets for home!”

Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to start

1. That Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday, is the only

Separate a “Re-namer” (an appositive) from the rest of

1. Mr. Jones, the foreman at the plant, is on leave today.

Use comma to separate tag Question from rest of the sentence.

1. “You haven’t been prowling up in those ruins, have you?”

Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by a

Two independent clauses can be joined into one compound sentence

Use a semicolon between items in a list or series if any of the

Use a semicolon before a Conjunctive Adverb and a comma after

1. Reports of the damage caused by the hurricane were greatly exaggerated;

1. He wanted to see three cities in Italy: Rome, Florence, and Venice

2. The bookstore specializes in three subjects: art, architecture, and music.

Use a colon between two independent clauses when the second

If a quotation contains two or more sentences, use a colon

1. At 4:30 p.m. the doors will be opened to the public.

a). Use an apostrophe + S ('s) to show that one person/thing owns

• Both bananas' peels had turned brown.

c). If a plural noun doesn't end in "s," add an apostrophe + "s"

• The children's play received a standing ovation.

a) If two people possess the same item, put the apostrophe + s

• The man and woman's car was badly damaged.

b) If multiple nouns each possess another noun individually, each

• The student's and the teacher's motivations were in conflict.

It is = it’s I am = I’m Who is = who’s Has not = Hasn’t

• Who's glasses are these? (Incorrect)

• This is my ATM Card. It’s pin code is not working. (Incorrect)

a) With a singular compound noun, add the apostrophe + s only to

b) If an indefinite pronoun owns a noun, add apostrophe + s.

A) Capitalize when two or more sentences follow a colon.

 The president will address Congress.

2). After abbreviations

3). At the end of indirect questions.

• “What are you talking about?” asked Arthur.

2). Use a question mark when a sentence is half statement and

3). A sentence having an interrogative tone may be converted

You might also like