Punctuation Rules

(most common punctuation marks)

Outline
● Period
* Abbreviations
● Comma
● Colon
● Semicolon
● Quotation Marks
Period
Apart from the general norm to use a period at the end of a complete sentence that is a statement,
there are some other rules a good writer should comply with:

Rule 1. 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 Andy Brown, M.D..

Correct: This is Andy Brown, M.D.

Correct: You may help with cleaning, cooking, etc. We will do the laundry.
 Abbreviations
(let’s remind Comments for Writers spreadsheet)
Rule 1: Use a period after the abbreviation of a single word.
Example: Mrs. Corp. pp. Wed. Jr. Inc. Nos. Dec.
Rule 2: When a small-letter abbreviation consists of single initials representing two or more words, insert a
period after each initial but insert no space after each internal period.
Example: a.m. i.e. p.m. e.g. BUT: rpm mph
Rule 3: As a general rule, do not use periods in all-capital abbreviations consisting of single initials
representing two or more words.
Example: CBS, CEO, ASAP, MIT, FYI, CD-ROM
Rule 4: As an exception to the general rule, insert periods in all-capital abbreviations when they consist of
single initials and they represent geographic names, academic degrees, miscellaneous expressions
Example: Geograpgic names: U.S. N.J. D.C.
Academic degrees: B.A. M.S. M.D.
Miscellaneous expressions: A.D. B.C. P.O.
Abbreviations
Rule 5: When an abbreviation consists of more than single initials, insert a period and a space after
each element in the abbreviation.
Example: N. Mex. Lt. Col. Rt. Rev. loc. cit.
Exceptions: Academic abbreviations: Ph.D. LL.B.
Units of measurement: sq ft cu cm
Rule 6: Do not use a period after shortened forms of words
Example: deli temp hype demo typo condo fax
Rule 7: Insert a period and a space after each initial in a person’s name
Example: M. A. Devine F. E. Hollings W. E. B. Du Bois B. J. Malone
Rule 8: Omit periods when a person’s name is expressed entirely in initials.
Example: JFK FDR
Rule 9: Do not use periods in acronyms (all-cap initials that are pronounced like a word).
Example: PIN SWOT WHO MEGO
 Comma
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 represent one dish. In cases like this,
clarity demands the Oxford comma.

We had coffee, cheese and crackers, and grapes.

Fiction and nonfiction books generally prefer the Oxford comma. Writers must decide Oxford or no Oxford and
not switch back and forth, except when omitting the Oxford comma could cause confusion as in the cheese
and crackers example.
Comma
Rule 2. Many inexperienced writers run two independent clauses together by using a comma instead
of a period. This results in the dreaded run-on sentence or, more technically, a comma splice.

Incorrect: He walked all the way home, he shut the door.

There are several simple remedies:

Correct: He walked all the way home. He shut the door.

Correct: After he walked all the way home, he shut the door.

Correct: He walked all the way home, and he shut the door.
 Comma
Rule 3. In sentences where two independent clauses are joined by connectors such as and, or, but, yet, so,
for (do not mix with preposition ‘for’), nor, put a comma at the end of the first clause.

Not to forget this rule, remember F A N B O Y S

O N O U R E O
R D R T T

Incorrect: He walked all the way home and he shut the door.

Correct: He walked all the way home, and he shut the door.

BUT: 1) it is possible to omit the comma if the clauses are both quite short:

Example: I paint and he writes.

2) If the subject does not appear in front of the second verb, a comma is generally unnecessary.

Example: He thought quickly but still did not answer correctly.

 Comma
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.

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.

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.

Comma
Rule 7. Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year, and—what most people
forget!—always put one after the year, also.

Example: It was in the Sun's June 5, 2003, edition.

No comma is necessary for just the month and year.

Example: It was in a June 2003 article.

Rule 8. Use a comma to separate a city from its state, and remember to put one after the state, also.

Example: I'm from the Akron, Ohio, area.

Comma
Rule 9. Traditionally, if a person's name is followed by Sr. or Jr., a comma follows the last name:
Martin Luther King, Jr. This comma is no longer considered mandatory. However, if a comma does
precede Sr. or Jr., another comma must follow the entire name when it appears midsentence.

Correct: Al Mooney Sr. is here.

Correct: Al Mooney, Sr., is here.

Incorrect: Al Mooney, Sr. is here.

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

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

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

Comma
Rule 10. When starting a sentence with a dependent clause, use a comma after it.

DEPENDENT MAIN
CLAUSE
CLAUSE
, .
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.

MAIN DEPENDENT
CLAUSE CLAUSE
.
Example: Let me know now if you are not sure about this.
 Rule 11. Comma in Relative Clauses
Relative clauses can be of 2 types: restrictive (essential) and non-restrictive (non-essential).
Essential clauses add information that is vital to the point of the sentence.

Example: I do not trust products that/which claim "all natural ingredients" because this phrase can mean almost
anything. (In this sentence “that/which claim "all natural ingredients" is an essential relative clause since we
would not know the type of products being discussed without this clause. It explains what products the author does
not trust.

Essential clauses do not have commas introducing or surrounding them!

Nonessential clauses add supplementary information, the one which if omitted does not influence the point of the
sentence.

Example: The product claiming "all natural ingredients," which appeared in the Sunday newspaper, is on sale.
(In this sentence “which appeared in the Sunday newspaper” is a nonessential relative clause since it provides only
essential information. Even without it one understands the point: The product claiming "all natural ingredients” is on
sale.

Nonessential clauses are NEVER introduced by ‘that’ and are ALWAYS split with commas!
 Comma
Rule 12. Use commas to introduce or interrupt direct quotations.
Examples:
He said, "I don't care."
"Why," I asked, "don't you care?"

This rule is optional with one-word quotations.

Example: He said "Stop."
BUT:
If the quotation comes before he said, she wrote, they reported, Dana insisted, or a similar attribution, end
the quoted material with a comma, even if it is only one word.
Examples:
"I don't care," he said.
"Stop," he said.
Comma
Rule 13. Use a comma to separate a statement from a question.
Example: I can go, can't I?
Rule 14. Use a comma to separate contrasting parts of a sentence.
Example: That is my money, not yours.
Rule 15.Use a comma before and after certain introductory words or terms, such as namely, that is, i.
e., e.g., 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 16.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.
 Colon
A colon means "that is to say" or "here's what I mean."
Colons and semicolons should never be used interchangeably!
Rule 1. Use a colon to introduce a series of items. Do not capitalize the first item after the colon (unless it's
a proper noun).
Examples:
I want the following items: butter, sugar, and flour.
I need an assistant who can do the following: input data, write reports, and complete tax forms.
Rule 2. Avoid using a colon before a list when it directly follows a verb or preposition.
Incorrect: I want: butter, sugar, and flour.
Correct: I want the following: butter, sugar, and flour. OR I want butter, sugar, and flour.
Incorrect: I've seen the greats, including: Barrymore, Guinness, and Streep.
Correct: I've seen the greats, including Barrymore, Guinness, and Streep.
 Colon
Rule 3. When listing items one by one, one per line, following a colon, capitalization and ending punctuation
are optional when using single words or phrases preceded by letters, numbers, or bullet points. If each point
is a complete sentence, capitalize the first word and end the sentence with appropriate ending punctuation.
Otherwise, there are no hard and fast rules, except be consistent.
Examples:
I want an assistant who can do the following:
1. input data
2. write reports
3. complete tax forms

The following are requested:

● Wool sweaters for possible cold weather.
● Wet suits for snorkeling.
● Introductions to the local dignitaries.
Colon
Rule 4. A colon instead of a semicolon may be used between independent clauses when the second
sentence explains, illustrates, paraphrases, or expands on the first sentence.
Example: He got what he worked for: he really earned that promotion.

what?

Rule 5. A colon may be used to introduce a long quotation.

Example: The author of Touched, Jane Straus, wrote in the first chapter:
Georgia went back to her bed and stared at the intricate patterns of burned moth wings in the
translucent glass of the overhead light. Her father was in "hyper mode" again where nothing could
calm him down.
Semicolon
It's no accident that a semicolon is a period atop a comma. Like commas, semicolons indicate an
audible pause — slightly longer than a comma's, but short of a period's full stop.

Semicolons have other functions, too.

REMEMBER: avoid the common mistake of using a semicolon to replace a colon

Incorrect: I have one goal; to find her.

Correct: I have one goal: to find her.

Rule 1. A semicolon can replace a period if the writer wishes to narrow the gap between two closely
linked sentences.

Examples:

Call me tomorrow; you can give me an answer then.

We have paid our dues; we expect all the privileges listed in the contract.
Semicolon
Rule 2. Use a semicolon before such words and terms as namely, however, therefore, that is, i.e., for
example, e.g., for instance, etc., when they introduce a complete sentence. It is also preferable to
use a comma after these words and terms.

Example: Bring any two items; however, sleeping bags and tents are in short supply.

REMEMBER: never confuse semicolon with comma in such cases!

If such words and terms as namely, however, therefore, that is, i.e., for example, e.g., for instance,
etc. do not introduce a complete sentence, use a comma.
Compare:
My father loves going to restaurants which serve exotic foods, for example ‘Pacific Spirit’ (comma).
My father loves going to restaurants which serve exotic foods; for example, last week he went to a
restaurant which serves deep-fried rattlesnake (semicolon).
Semicolon
Rule 3. Use a semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas.

Incorrect: The conference has people who have come from Moscow, Idaho, Springfield,
California, Alamo, Tennessee, and other places as well.

Note that with only commas, that sentence is hopeless.

Correct: The conference has people who have come from Moscow, Idaho; Springfield, California;
Alamo, Tennessee; and other places as well.

Rule 4. A semicolon may be used between independent clauses joined by a connector, such as and,
but, or, nor, etc., when one or more commas appear in the first clause.

Example: When I finish here, and I will soon, I'll be glad to help you; and that is a promise I will
keep.
 Quotation Marks
Quotation marks are used to to set off material that represents quoted or spoken language.

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

Correct: "When will you be here?" he asked.

Incorrect: He asked "when I would be there."

Note: in the British variant single quotation marks for direct speech are used more often than double
quotation marks. They are called inverted commas.

Rule 2.Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks (the American variant) and outside quotation
marks (the British variant).

Examples:

He yelled, "Hurry up." (American variant)

He yelled, "Hurry up". British variant)

Quotation Marks
However, both American and British variants presuppose that unless they are part of the original
quotation, all marks other than commas or periods are placed outside the quotation marks.

Correct: She provides a thorough list of problems in her most recent article, “Misery in Paradise”;
she doesn’t provide a solution.
Incorrect: She provides a thorough list of problems in her most recent article, “Misery in Paradise;”
she doesn’t provide a solution.
Quotation Marks
Rule 3. Use single quotation marks for quotations within quotations.

Example: He said, "Dan cried, 'Do not treat me that way.' "

Note: in the American variant, single quotation marks are commonly used only in this case.
In the British variant, however, single and double quotation marks may be used interchangeably.

Rule 4. Quotation marks are often used with technical terms, terms used in an unusual way, or other
expressions that vary from standard usage.

Examples:

It's an oil-extraction method known as "fracking."

He did some "experimenting" in his college days.

 Introducing the quoted material: when to use a comma,
colon, or no punctuation at all
Comma
The comma is the mark most frequently used to introduce quoted material.
Example: The flight attendant asked, “May I see your boarding pass?”
Colon
A colon should be used when the text introducing the quoted material could stand as a sentence on its own. It
is also the mark most commonly used to introduce a block quotation.
Example: In Food Rules, Michael Pollan summarizes his extensive writing about food with seven words of
advice: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”
No punctuation
When the quoted material flows directly from your introductory text, no punctuation should be used before the
quotation.
Example: In her closing statement, the prosecutor spoke forcefully of the defendant’s “callous disregard for
human life.”
Thank you for your attention!