Punctuation
Rules
Mr. Simon
tro
Mr. Quintero-Cas
ation
u
Types of Punct
● Commas
● Semicolons
● Colons
● Dashes
s
● Apostrophe
Commas (,)
can be used in a list, to set apart nonessential clauses, after an introductory phrase, or
before conjunctions to join two independent clauses.
Example (in a list): My favorite foods are ice cream, macaroni and cheese, pancakes, and
string cheese.
Example (with a nonessential clause): Her Aunt Shelley, married to her Uncle Eric, had a
great voice.
Example (after an introductory phrase): After the movie, I went to the late-night diner.
Example (before conjunctions): I am a good soccer player, but my sister is much better.
EXAMPLES:
●
We will need clubs balls and tees to play golf.
●
Kayla Michael and I are the best hockey players on the team.
●
I can dribble a basketball hit a baseball with a bat and even kick a soccer ball into a
net.
●
His uncle who was a pilot in the air force visited him yesterday.
●
Julia a 21 year-old woman from Paris works as a flight attendant.
●
My best friend Michael likes to play football.
●
I moved to Manhattan New York 5 years ago.
Semicolon (;)
can be used to combine two independent clauses or to separate items in a list when the
items already contain commas.
Example (combining clauses): We went up in the hot air balloon; the view from that high up
was amazing.
Example (separating items): I wanted to study drawing, painting and sculpting in the Art
department; French and Spanish in the Languages department; and biology, chemistry and
anatomy in the Science department.
EXAMPLES:
●
We had too many fumbles we lost the game.
●
Michelle drives a Jaguar Lisa drives a Porsche.
●
I have finished the main course now I have to make dessert
●
I had a huge meal however I am hungry again,
●
As far as travel through the United States I've visited Seattle Washington Portland
Oregon and San Francisco California.
●
Please pack my anthologies on short stories poetry and Shakespearean plays my
biographies on Jackie Kennedy Charles Stuart and Queen Elizabeth and my historical
romance novels by Nora Roberts Jude Devereux and Diana Gabaldon.
Colon (:)
are used to introduce information, commonly a list, definition or explanation.
Example (introducing a list): Here is what is in my closet: three sweaters and two pairs of
jeans.
Example (introducing a definition): After school he joined the French foreign legion: a
unique unit in the French army open to foreign nationals.
Example (introducing an explanation): Here is how to succeed on the SAT: learn strategies
for each question type, practice as much as possible and stick to a study schedule.
EXAMPLES:
●
There are four sections on the SAT Reading Writing and two Math.
●
We knew who would win the game the Mets.
●
I have several favorite genres of movies drama science-fiction and mystery.
●
This house has everything I need two bedrooms a backyard and a garage.
●
Mrs. Morris preaches this concept "Second place is first loser."
●
The dog trainer gave us this instruction "Love your dog and she will love you."
●
Never forget this point think before you speak.
●
Barry wanted to know why I didn't respond to his text I hadn't received it.
Dash (-)
can be used to indicate a change in thought or to set aside nonessential information
Example (indicating a change): My favorite color is green – no, blue!
Example (with a nonessential clause): My favorite store is Sears – which is officially called
Sear’s, Roebuck’s and Co. – but I also shop at Macy’s.
EXAMPLES:
●
Everything I saw in my new neighborhood from the graceful elm trees to the stately
brick buildings reminded me of my alma mater.
●
The students they were each over the age of eighteen lined up in the streets to vote
for the presidential candidates.
●
The fairgrounds cold and wet in the October rain were deserted.
●
Even the simplest tasks washing, dressing, and going to work were nearly impossible
after I broke my leg.
●
To improve their health, Americans should critically examine the foods that they eat
fast food, fatty fried foods, junk food, and sugary snacks.
●
“I I don’t know what you’re talking about,” denied the politician.
Apostrophe (‘)
are used to indicate possession or to make a contraction.
Example (as possession – singular): Shirley’s scarf was bright purple.
Example (indicating possession – plural): The students’ scores were very strong.
Example (as a contraction): We won’t sleep in on Saturday.
EXAMPLES:
●
I asked my mother if I could borrow my sisters cell phone.
●
My shoelace caught on my cats collar.
●
I downloaded all of my friends playlists.
●
James car was blue.
●
The teacher picked up all the childrens toys.
They're (they are) Don't (do not) Can’t (can not) Shouldn’t (should not) Couldn’t (could not)
Wouldn’t (would not) He’s (he is/he has) She’s (she is/she has) I’ll (I will) You’ll (you will)
He’ll (he will) She’ll (she will) We’ll (we will) They’ll (they will) Let’s (let us) Won’t (will not)