IMPROVING YOUR

PUNCTUATION
By brushing up on a few basic rules of punctuation, you will be able to rid your writing of mechanical errors that can seriously aect your grade on an assignment. NO: The rst vendor was selling ice cream with chocolate chips and worms were available from the second vendor. (Without the comma, the readers rst impression is that the ice cream contains chocolate chips and worms.) YES: The rst vendor was selling ice cream with chocolate chips, and worms were available from the second vendor. (The comma here signals the reader that a second subject [worms] is being introduced.)

Using Commas
Follow this guideline: When in doubt, leave the comma out.

1.

Use commas to separate items in a series of three or more words, phrases or clauses. e.g.,

He bought milk, eggs and cheese. She woke up, ate breakfast, and brushed her teeth. NOTE: The nal comma before the and is optional, but may clarify your meaning when the series contains internal conjunctions (such as and, or). e.g., NO: Jane decided to study sociology instead of philosophy, chemistry instead of biology and physics and history instead of geography. YES: Jane decided to study sociology instead of philosophy, chemistry instead of biology and physics, and history instead of geography. (a nal comma before and history claries the meaning)

3.

Use a comma to set o introductory words, phrases and clauses from main clauses. e.g.,

Samantha, could you please help me? However, he didnt believe her for one minute. Of all the reasons to stay home, that is the most ridiculous. Tired from working so hard, she decided to go home. Although she was tired, she decided to keep working.

4.

Use a comma (or a pair of commas) to separate from the rest of the sentence any word, phrase, or clause that is not essential to the sentences meaning or that means the same as something else in the sentence. (Also see the Fastfacts handout Improving Your Sentence Structure, section A.3.b. e.g.,

My uncle Fred, who is almost seventy years old, has been sending me presents since I was born. Lighting a gas barbecue is easy, I think. The Great Dane, a large and gentle dog, is truly one of mans best friends.

2.

Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet) linking two main clauses when the subject is stated. e.g.,

I dont want to go out, yet you dont want to stay home. The professor moved to the front of the room, but the students didnt say a word. BUT NOT HERE: The professor moved to the front of the room but did not say a word. (becomes a compound verb for one subject) NOTE: The comma before a coordinating conjunction will help to clarify whether you have two items in a series OR a conjunction joining two clauses. e.g.,

5.

Use a comma between coordinate adjectives (adjectives which each modify the same noun) not joined by and. e.g.,

YES: Informative, imaginative writing can sell your ideas. NOTE: Do not use a comma between the nal adjective (imaginative) and the noun (writing). e.g., NO: Informative, imaginative, writing can sell your ideas.

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NOTE: coordinate adjectives are those that still make sense when you insert the word and between the adjectives or when you scramble the order of the adjectives (i.e., you can write informative and imaginative writing; you can write imaginative, informative writing.)

not have learned to read well enough to obtain a drivers license. NOTE: you may use a pair of commas to enclose a nonessential expression between the subject and verb (see section A.4, this handout). e.g., YES: The two English courses that I took, English 101 and 102, were so basic that I never really learned anything. YES: The group, which consists of nearly twenty members, provides opportunities often not feasible for the independent teacher.

Misusing Commas
1.
Do not use commas between cumulative adjectives (adjectives which build upon each other to modify the noun). e.g.,

YES: The teacher worked on a complex computer program. NO: The teacher worked on a complex, computer program. (computer modies program, but complex modies computer program, not just program) NOTE: cumulative adjectives are those that no longer make sense when you insert the word and between the adjectives or when you scramble the order of the adjectives (i.e., complex and computer program doesnt make sense; nor does computer, complex program).

3.

Do not use a comma between a verb and its object or between a preposition and its object. e.g.,

NO: It is even more interesting when you consider, that several species act the same way. YES: It is even more interesting when you consider that several species act the same way.

2.

Do not use a single comma between a subject and its verb. e.g.,

4.

Do not use a single comma after a coordinating conjunction (compare section A.2, this handout). e.g.,

NO: The two English courses that I took, were so basic that I never really learned anything. YES: The two English courses that I took were so basic that I never really learned anything. NO: The group of nearly twenty members, provides opportunities often not feasible for the independent teacher. YES: The group of nearly twenty members provides opportunities often not feasible for the independent teacher. NO: Finding transportation to these programs without the benet of public transit, is dicult for those who may not have learned to read well enough to obtain a drivers license. YES: Finding transportation to these programs without the benet of public transit is dicult for those who may

NO: I knew nothing about physics yet, I passed the test easily. NO: I knew nothing about physics, yet, I passed the test easily. YES: I knew nothing about physics, yet I passed the test easily. NOTE: you may use a pair of commas to enclose a nonessential expression after the conjunction (see section A.4): e.g., YES: I knew nothing about physics, yet, thank goodness, I passed the test easily.

5.

Do not use a comma after such as or like. e.g.,

NO: We grow many types of fruit trees such as, cherry, apple, orange and banana. YES: We grow many types of fruit trees such as cherry, apple, orange and banana. 2.

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6.

Do not use a comma before a parenthesis. e.g.,

Using Colons
1.
Use a colon following an independent clause (i.e., a complete sentence) to introduce a series or a quotation. e.g.,

NO: Mr. Sykes went to see her, (after school) but she was not there. NO: Mr. Sykes went to see her, (after school), but she was not there. YES: Mr. Sykes went to see her (after school), but she was not there.

NO: The options in the course catalogue are: a major, a majorminor, and a double major. YES: The course catalogue oers several options: a major, a major-minor, and a double major. YES: The options in the course catalogue are a major, a majorminor, and a double major. NO: Hamlet says: To be or not to be . . . YES: Hamlet reveals his doubt and confusion: To be or not to be . . . YES: Hamlet says, To be or not to be . . .

Using Semi-colons
1.
Use a semi-colon between main (independent) clauses that are closely related in meaning and are not joined by a coordinating conjunction. e.g.,

Mary wishes to major in English literature; her identical twin wishes to major in philosophy.

2.

Use a semi-colon to separate main clauses joined by conjunctive adverbs such as however, therefore, moreover, nevertheless, then, thus. e.g.,

Ernest Hemingway was a master of style; however, opinions about his work vary widely. NOTE: The semi-colon remains between the two clauses, even when the conjunctive adverb is moved. e.g., Ernest Hemingway was a master of style; opinions about his work, however, vary widely. Ernest Hemingway was a master of style; opinions about his work vary widely, however.

2.

Use a colon following an independent clause to introduce a second main clause that explains the rst. e.g.,

His intention is clear: he plans to get all As in his courses.

Using Other Punctuation

Dashes are used to emphasize part of a sentence and indicate a break whether its necessary or not in tone or thought. Type two hyphens with no space before, after, or between, or use your wordprocessors em-dash. Parentheses separate incidental information (information you do not need) from the rest of the sentence. Square brackets are used to enclose your own comments to explain, clarify, or correct his [the writers] words within a quotation. Quotation marks are used to enclose direct words of a speaker or exact words from a book or article. Remember that end punctuation, including commas and periods, goes inside the quotation marks; semicolons and colons go outside.

3.

Use semi-colons to separate phrases or clauses in a series if the items are long or contain internal punctuation. e.g.,

We can help clean up the environment if we avoid littering, polluting, and using throwaway containers; protest against dangers to the environment by writing to those in authority, publicising information, joining groups, and campaigning; plant trees and gardens; and protect endangered species. Harry went on a trip with Fred, his uncle; Susan, his sister; Bi, his dog; and his mother. (Remember to use a semicolon before the nal and.)

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3.

Additional Relevant Fastfacts Improving Your Grammar Improving Your Sentence Structure Improving Your Style
Improving Your Writing

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