Punctuation: The
Basics
ESSENTIAL QUESTION

How can I apply correct punctuation
rules in my written work?
Types of Punctuation
Periods
Commas
Semicolons
Colons
Question Marks
Exclamation Points
Quotation Marks
Parentheses
Apostrophes
Hyphens
Dashes
Ellipsis Marks (Three-Dot Method)
Capitalization
Writing Numbers
PERIOD – Ending Sentences
RULE:
Use a period at the end of a complete sentence.
Example:
She ordered the materials.
PERIOD – Ending the Last Word in a Period
RULE:
If the last word in the sentence ends in a period, do not
add another period.
Examples:
He is an M.D. His office is located in
Lawrenceville.
COMMAS - Series
RULE:
Use commas to separate word groups with a series of three or more. The
comma before the word AND can sometimes be omitted. The comma tells
the reader to pause--just as a blinking yellow light tells a driver to slow down
and proceed with caution. If you read your sentence out loud, you can
often tell where a comma needs to be inserted.
Examples:
She is scheduled for math, photography, and art.
He plans to purchase paper, pencils and markers.
(This way is not acceptable for APA style)
COMMAS - Adjectives
RULE: Use a comma to separate two adjectives if the word AND can be
inserted between those words.
Examples:
She is a beautiful, intelligent lady.
COMMAS – Surrounding the Name or
Title of a Person
RULE:
Use a comma surrounding the name or title of a person
Examples:
Will you, John, agree to be on the committee?
Mary Brown, President, will be attending the meeting.
COMMAS – Separating the City from the
State and After the State
RULE: Use a comma to separate the city from the state as well as after the
state. If a two letter abbreviation is used for the state, you do not need a
comma.
Examples:
I have lived in Atlanta, Georgia, for three years.
I have lived in Atlanta, GA for three years.
COMMAS – Dates
RULE: Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year and
after the year. If any portion of the date is omitted, leave out the comma.
Examples:
Our meeting was held June 25, 2009, in Atlanta.
Our meeting was held in June 2009 in Atlanta.
COMMAS – Degrees or Titles
RULE: Use a comma to separate degrees or titles from names. It is no
longer required to put a comma after Jr. or Sr. or III, III.
Examples:
John Brown, M.D., was here for the conference.
Michael Jones III was selected to chair the committee.
COMMAS – Three or More Words
RULE: Use a comma after a phrase that begins a sentence of three or more
words. The comma is optional for fewer than three words.
Examples:
To become a member, you must submit an application.
On May 15 the committees were formed.
COMMAS – Expressions Interrupting
Sentence Flow
RULE:
Use a comma to separate expressions that interrupt sentence flow.
Example:
I am, as you are aware, very excited about this new program.
COMMAS – Coordinating Conjunctions
RULE: Use a comma to separate two complete sentences that are joined by
the conjunctions AND, OR, BUT, FOR, NOR.
HINT: If you take out the conjunction, both sentences should be able to stand
alone as a complete sentence—then insert the comma before the conjunction.
Examples:
I want to travel to Europe, but I want to start school soon.
I want to travel to Europe but want to start school soon.
COMMAS – Strong / Weak Clause
RULE: Use a comma if the sentence starts with a weak clause. Do not use
a comma if the sentence starts with a strong clause.
Examples:
If you are unsure, let me know.
Let me know if you are unsure.
COMMAS – Comma Splice, Run-On Sentence
COMMA SPLICE: Sometimes errors are made when two complete
sentences are joined with a comma instead of a conjunction, semicolon or
period.
RUN-ON SENTENCE: This error is made when two complete sentences are
joined without any marks of punctuation.
Examples:
COMMA SPLICE (incorrect)
She is scheduled for math in the morning, she is very bright.
RUN-ON SENTENCE
(incorrect)
She is scheduled for math she is very bright.
CORRECT
She is scheduled for math, and she is very bright.
She is scheduled for math; she is very bright.
COMMAS – Introducing a Direct Quote
RULE:
Use a comma to introduce or interrupt a direct quote.
Examples:
Superintendent Wilbanks said, “Our workforce is our greatest asset!”
“Why,” I asked, “do you suggest this change?”
COMMAS – Interrupters
RULE: Use a comma around words used as interrupters such as
THEREFORE and HOWEVER.
Examples:
They will, therefore, agree to attend the conference.
She has, however, accepted the responsibility to handle the problem.
COMMAS – e.g. For example
i.e. That is
RULE: Use a comma or a semicolon after words such as FOR INSTANCE,
FOR EXAMPLE, i.e., e.g.
e.g. is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase exempli gratia which means
for example
i.e. is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase id est which means that is
Examples:
Please be sure to bring your supplies, e.g., paper, pencils, and calculator.
Please be sure to bring your supplies, i.e., anything you feel you need for
the workshop.
COMMAS – Introductory Words WELL, NOW, YES
RULE:
Use a comma with introductory words such as WELL, NOW, or YES.
Examples:
Yes, I plan to attend.
Well, I never thought he would leave school.
COMMAS – Introductory Clause
RULE: Use a comma for an introductory clause that sets the stage for the
main part of the sentence which is an independent clause (can stand on its
own).
Easy Hint: If an introductory clause begins with after, although, as, because,
before, if, since, though, until or when, be prepared to insert a comma.
Example:
Introductory
Clause
setting the stage
Independent Clause
following an introductory
clause
If you want to graduate, you must pass all your classes.
SEMICOLONS – Conjunction Omitted
RULE: Use a semicolon to separate two sentences where the conjunction
has been omitted.
Example:
I plan to attend Tuesday; I will provide you with a summary.
SEMICOLONS – Separating Series
Containing Commas
RULE: Use a semicolon to separate series that contain commas.
Example:
We will have registrants attending from Atlanta, Georgia; San
Francisco, California; New York, New York, and Chicago, Illinois.
SEMICOLONS – Separating Series
Containing Commas
RULE: Use a semicolon to separate series that contain commas.
Example:
We will have registrants attending from Atlanta, Georgia; San
Francisco, California, and Chicago, Illinois.
COLONS - Introducing
RULE: Colons are used to introduce something such as a word, phrase,
sentence, quotation, or a list.
Examples:
Mary has one goal: change. WORD
Mary has one goal: to change. PHRASE
Mary has one goal: to change her life. SENTENCE
Mary has three goals: go to school, lose weight, and
become more organized. LIST
COLONS - Following a Salutation
RULE: Colons follow the salutation of a business letter.
Example:
Dear Mr. Jones:
COLONS - Following a Bulleted List
RULE: Capitalization and punctuation are optional following a bulleted list.
Hint: If the bullet or numbered item is a complete sentence, then capitalize the
first word and end the sentence with the proper punctuation.
Examples:
Bring the following items to class:
(a) Two pencils
(b) Paper
(c) Three markers
Bring the following items to class:
(a) two pencils,
(b) paper, and
(c) three markers.
COLONS – Introducing a Direct Quote
RULE: Use a colon to introduce a direct quote that contains more than three
lines.
Example:
The author of The Blue Book of Grammar and
Punctuation, Jane Straus, wrote:
I consider The Blue Book of Grammar and
Punctuation a self-help manual of sorts too. I always
found grammar and punctuation easy to understand
and just had a feeling that I could explain the rules
easily to others. (p. 12)
Gwinnett County Public Schools...A System of World-Class Schools!
Our Workforce...Our Greatest Asset!
QUESTION MARKS
RULE - Use a question mark after a direct question. If you are quoting
someone, place the quotation mark before the ending quote.
You can also use a question mark after a half statement and half question.
You DO NOT use a question mark if the sentence is NOT a direct question.
Examples:
Will you be attending the meeting?
He said, “Will you be attending the meeting?”
You do want to go, don’t you?
I asked if you would be attending.
EXCLAMATION MARKS
RULE - Use the exclamation mark to show emphasis or surprise. Do not use
the exclamation point in formal business writing.
Example:
When she arrived, everybody screamed, “Happy Birthday!”
QUOTATION MARKS
RULE – Marks of punctuation always go inside the quotation marks,
including inside single quotes.
When you are quoting something that has a spelling or grammar mistake, or
a confusing statement, insert [sic] in italics and brackets. This means, “The
way the original material was quoted.”
Examples:
Mary said, “Please let me attend the meeting.”
John said, “Mary said, ‘Please let me attend the meeting.’”
He wrote, “I would rather attend then [sic] miss hearing the
speaker.”
This should be THAN, not THEN.
PARENTHESES – Words or Figures
RULE - Use parentheses to enclose words or figures for clarification.
Examples:
The registration fee is twenty-five dollars ($25).
We need a teacher who can (1) go to Atlanta, (2) attend the
conference, and (3) fly back to Chicago.
Please read the report (Exhibit A).
APOSTROPHES – Omitted Letters
RULE - Use the apostrophe where letters have been omitted from a word
and is placed where the letter has been omitted.
Examples:
She isn’t coming. (is not)
Don’t leave the room. (do not)
He’s a wonderful teacher.
(he is)
You’re going to have to complete a college degree. (you are)
APOSTROPHES – Possession
RULE - Use the apostrophe to show possession.
Place the apostrophe before the s to show singular possession. Place the apostrophe
after the s to show plural possession.
Use the ‘ s after the second name only if two people possess the same item.
Names ending in s or an s sound are not required to have the second s added to show
possession; however, it is preferred.
Examples:
The student’s notebook was left in the classroom.
The students’ notebooks were left in the classroom.
John’s and Mary’s homes will be sold. (separate ownership)
John and Mary’s home will be sold. (joint ownership)
Mr. Jones’s desk has a stack of papers.
APOSTROPHES – Singular/Plural
Compound Noun
RULE - With a singular compound noun, show possession with 's at the end
of the word.
With a plural compound noun, form the plural first and then
use the apostrophe.
Examples:
My father-in-law's truck is in the shop.
My two sisters-in-law's children will not be there.
HYPHENS – Between Words
RULE - Check the dictionary to determine whether a compound noun is two
words, one word, or hyphenated. If you cannot find the word, treat the
noun as separate words. Usage may vary so it is recommended to check
a dictionary when unsure of the hyphenation of such words.
Example:
Use a hyphen to join two or more words that is being used as a
single adjective before a noun.
a one-way ticket
chocolate-covered raisins
well-known writer
If a compound modifier (compound adjective) comes after a
noun, it is not hyphenated.
The raisins were chocolate covered.
The writer was well known.
HYPHENS – Prefixes Ex- Self- AllSuffix -Elect
RULE - Use a hyphen with the prefixes ex- (meaning former), self-, all-.
Use a hyphen with the suffix –elect, between a prefix and a capitalized
word. The current trend is to omit unnecessary hyphens. Again, consult a
dictionary when unsure of some hyphenated words.
Example:
self-employed
ex-wife
all-American
mayor-elect
mid-1990s
2-year education
one-week vacation
A-frame
African American
Air Force
all-city tournament
attorney general
blood pressure
blue-green dress
bull's-eye
coordinate
copayment
database
daughter-in-law
English-speaking person
ex-wife
first-rate accommodations
football
grandmother
grant-in-aid
great-aunt
half sister
high-level officials
I-beam
Italian-American
Italian-American club
jack-in-the-box
lifelike
light year
noncompliance
salesperson
secretary-treasurer
self-addressed
stockbroker
T-square
threefold
up-to-the-minute
V-formation
vice president
well-made clothes
worldwide inflation
X-ray
DASHES – En Dash –
RULE - An en dash – is a little longer than a hyphen.
It is used for periods of time in place of the word “to or through.”
HINT: To get this mark of punctuation to appear on a computer, hold down
ALT and type 0150 on the numeric keypad.
Example:
Our employee benefits are effective January–December.
DASHES – Em Dash —
RULE - An em dash — is the width of an m. Use an em dash sparingly in
formal writing; it is best used for informal writing. The em dash may replace
commas, semicolons, colons, and parentheses for emphasis, an
interruption, or change of thought in informal writing.
HINT: To get this mark of punctuation to appear on a computer, hold down
ALT and type 0151 on the numeric keypad.
Example:
You are the teacher—the only teacher—who offered me help.
ELLIPSIS MARKS (…)
RULE - Use ellipsis marks if omitting a word, phrase, line, paragraph, or
more from a quote.
Example:
Original quote:
“The accountability reports posted here provide
consolidated information on a school's effectiveness based
on multiple measures and student characteristics.”
Rewritten quote using ellipses:
“The accountability reports posted here provide
consolidated information on a school's effectiveness...”
CAPITALIZATION
Beginning a Quoted Sentence
RULE: The first word of a quoted sentence should be capitalized.
Examples:
She said, “Please print two copies.”
“Watch out for that car!” he yelled.
CAPITALIZATION
Proper Nouns
RULE: A proper noun should be capitalized.
Example:
Gwinnett County Public Schools
Common Noun
Proper Noun
school
Gwinnett County Public Schools
teacher
Mr. Jones
city
Lawrenceville
CAPITALIZATION
Individual Titles
RULE: Capitalize an individual’s title when it precedes their name.
Do not capitalize the title if is a description that follows the name.
Examples:
President Brown
Ms. Ann Brown, the president of the company, will be attending.
RULE:
In the inside address of a letter or signature line, capitalize an individual’s
title if it follows their name.
Examples:
Mr. John Jackson, President
Sincerely,
John Jackson, President
RULE: Capitalize an individual’s title if it used as a direct address.
Examples:
Will you be doing any more examinations, Doctor?
CAPITALIZATION
Titles of Publications
RULE: Capitalize the first and last words of publication titles including is, are,
and be. Do not capitalize prepositions or words such as a, an, as, the,
but, if, and, or, and nor.
Example:
What Color Is Your Parachute?
Preliminary Report on the State Competencies
CAPITALIZATION
Colons
RULE:
If a sentence ends with a colon, do not capitalize the first word of the list.
Example:
My favorite flowers are: roses, sunflowers, and daisies.
RULE:
Follow a colon after the salutation of a business letter.
If writing a personal letter, a comma is acceptable after the salutation.
Example:
Dear Ms. Rodriguez:
Dear Ann,
WRITING NUMBERS
Compound Numbers
RULE:
Compound numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine should
be hyphenated. Spell it out if it begins a sentence.
Example:
Fifty-five students were honored.
WRITING NUMBERS
Numbers 1-9
RULE: Spell out numbers one through nine.
combination of numbers, just be consistent.
However, if the sentence uses a
Examples:
I would like eight students to volunteer.
I would like 9 students from Norcross and 12 from
Lawrenceville.
Punctuation
Requires…
ATTENTION
TO DETAIL!