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Punctuation - Definition, Overview, and Lists of Examples

WelcomeBelow you’ll find links to our discussion on all punctuation marks. We have broken some of the longer topics into multiple pages. So watch for references to “Pages 1-2-3” at the bottom of the topic. Click the next page number to continue...

Chapter 1 - Period

IntroductionThe period shows the end of a complete sentence, the abbreviation of words, and indented lists. It also appears inside closing quotation marks. Previous: Punctuation - Definition, Overview, and Lists of ExamplesNext: Ending a Sentenc...

Ending a Sentence

Spaces Following a PeriodIn word-processed documents, two spaces traditionally follow a sentence-ending period. In documents destined for typesetting, however, ordinarily only one space appears after sentence-ending punctuation.Modern style manuals a...

Showing Abbreviation

A Sentence Ending with an AbbreviationThe period shows abbreviations such as Co., Ave., Corp., Bldg., and a host of others. If a sentence ends in an abbreviated word, the single period serves double duty to show abbreviation and to end the sentence.T...

Vertical, Enumerated Lists

Periods Following NumbersPeriods also show up after the numerals in an enumerated vertical list. Look at this example: His favorite movies included: 1. The Fight Club 2. To Kill a Mockingbird 3. Aliens You could also use letters to show the enumer...

Periods with Quotation Marks

Periods Come InsideWith only one exception, the period always comes inside closing quotation marks. This rule applies even if only one quoted word ends the sentence. Thus: He said, "We need to tell the boss right away." She reported that the boss was...

Period with Parentheses or Brackets

Where Does the Period Go?If an entire sentence or group of sentences appears in parentheses, then put the period inside the closing parenthesis. This is a parenthetical sentence. Thus:Parenthetically Enclosed Sentence Her mind was clouded. (She hadn'...

Chapter 2 - Comma

IntroductionThe comma shows the smallest interruption of the structure of a sentence—the parenthesis and dash showing more severe breaks in continuity. A few rules, discussed below, have become obligatory. Otherwise, writers have considerable leewa...

Serial-Comma Rule ‑ Red, White, and Blue (2)

Comma, Comma, and CommaWhen you use a coordinating conjunction (usually and or or) to join two elements of a series, no comma comes before the conjunction. But when you join three or more elements, the preferred rule requires a comma before the coord...

Serial-Comma Rule ‑ Examples

Here are some examples of correctly using the serial comma: The flag is red, white, and blue. (Three predicate adjectives.)In her will, the woman left jewelry, coins, stocks and bonds, but no cash. (Four direct objects of the transitive verb left.)Th...

Semicolons Instead of Commas

If the series is long and complex or any one element has a comma within it, separate each element of the series with a semicolon: The company has offices in Greensboro, North Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; Los Angeles, California; and Taipei, Taiwan....

Joining Two Elements

In a series consisting of just two elements, ordinarily you should not use a comma with the conjunction. This mistake usually occurs in a sentence with two verbs: The committee revisited this issue and created a new rule to guide the actions of super...

Commas and Independent Clauses

Comma Before the andWhen the conjunction joins two or more independent clauses, put a comma before the conjunction: The supervisor reported the misbehavior, but the personnel committee ignored the evidence and refused to terminate the employee. There...

Commas and Introductory Clauses or Phrases

You should put a comma after an introductory clause or phrase: Though the agency had studied this issue before, it went ahead with another study. (Introductory dependent clause.)If I were you, I would research the case thoroughly. (Introductory depen...

Adverbial Phrases Between Subject and Verb

Put preceding and trailing commas around any adverbial phrase coming between the subject and the verb: Ms. Smith, after commenting on the evidence, ruled in favor of the supervisor. The court, in a manner surprising to all, excluded the press from th...

Adjectival Clauses and Phrases

Restrictive vs. NonrestrictiveIf the adjectival clause or phrase is nonrestrictive, put commas around it. If the clause or phrase is restrictive, do not put commas around it. See the discussion of that vs. which in chapter 4 of the eBook Developing a...

Parenthetical Pauses

If the information in a parenthetical pause relates closely to the sentence, enclose it in commas. Otherwise, use the dash or parentheses: The committee's decision, to say the least, sparked considerable controversy.The members of the committee were,...

Commas and Noun Appositives

Appositive with CommasA word, phrase, or clause in apposition to a noun is usually set off by commas (dashes or parentheses might also be used): The chairman of the committee, Senator Jones, rambled on and on. The press surrounded the witness—the c...

Commas and Coordinate Adjectives

Long, Hot SummerWhen each of two adjectives modifies the same noun, put a comma between them. As a test, put the word and between the two adjectives. If it fits, then the adjectives are called coordinate adjectives: It is going to be a long, hot summ...

Complementary or Antithetical Expressions

DefinedA complementary or antithetical expression requires a comma at its beginning and end. Perhaps I should define complementary or antithetical expressions. These are usually groups of words complementing or contrasting a preceding word and combin...

Dates - Month-Day-Year

Comma After the YearWhen you indicate month, day, and year, put a comma after the day and after the year (unless some other punctuation mark, like a period or question mark, follows the year). Include these commas even if the month-day-year expressio...

Dates - Day-Month-Year

If you depict dates by day-month-year, not month-day-year, do not use commas. Make certain you use a consistent system throughout the document. Those disliking the required commas for month-day-year expressions used as adjectives (e.g., "your July 1,...

Dates - Month-Year

If you omit the day and just include the month and year, do not use a comma: In January 1945 he was born in a large southern city. We now wish to respond to your July 2006 letter.  Previous: Dates - Day-Month-YearNext: Commas and Elliptical Expr...

Commas and Elliptical Expressions

Use a CommaUse a comma to show the omission of a word or words readily understood from context: In Illinois, there are seventeen such institutions; in Ohio, twenty-two; in Indiana, three. ExceptionThere is an exception. When, in spite of the omission...

Commas with Quotation Marks

Comma Goes Inside YouWhen the context calls for a comma at the end of material enclosed in quotation marks, the comma should be placed inside the quotation marks: We should study the report on "discrimination in the workplace," which was written by t...