Punctuation

Rule 3c.​ 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
Most often commas are used to separate items in a series or to set off introductory phrases. This section outlines
the most common comma uses. Consider the following sentence: ​Parenthetical expressions ​Also explain or
clarify the sentence. Some of the more common expressions are of course, I believe, after all, by the way, in my
opinion, for example, to tell the truth. The Big Bang Theory, I believe, provides a very interesting explanation of
the origin of the universe. ​Non-defining clauses ​provide additional information about the noun they modify.
These clauses are typically separated by commas. Anderson Cooper, who is Gloria Vanderbilt's son, is an

excellent reporter. ​PS ​(Remember

that in correct writing, an adjective clause beginning with ​that​ is always essential and is not set off with commas.)

Independent Clause + Dependent Clause

In this scenario, which is GUARANTEED to show up on your ACT test, you will either attach 
the dependent clause to the independent clause with a comma or without a comma. 
It depends where the dependent clause occurs in the sentence. When it comes before the 
independent clause, always use a comma. When it comes after the independent clause, you 
will not need a comma (*most of the time). 
Comma — Because he did his homework, he got to go to the game. 
No comma — He got to go to the game because he did his homework. 
*However, when a dependent clause begins with any of the words listed below and follows 
an independent clause, it will need a comma. These words create contrast in the sentence, 
so a comma is needed for more clarity. 
although 
though / even though 
Whereas 
Let’s take a look at this exception in a sentence  
Mr. Williams said my essay needed more work, a
​ lthough he did like my idea. 
 

Compound sentences
When joining two complete sentences, use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, or, for, nor, so, but,
or yet). Laura developed the film, and Jason printed the pictures.

Subordinate clause comes before the main clause

we commonly use a comma to separate the clauses. However, we do not always do this in short sentences: If
you get lost in the city center, please don’t hesitate to text us or phone us. If you get lost just phone us. Commas
and speech forms

yes-no responses
We commonly separate tags and yes-no responses with commas: They are going to the party, aren’t they? No,
thank you. I’ve already eaten too much.
We also usually separate vocatives, discourse markers and
interjections with commas:
 Open the door for them, Kayleigh, can you. Thanks. (vocative) Well, what do you think we should do about it?
(discourse marker) Wow, that sounds really exciting. (interjection)

Dates, addresses, geographical names

When dates are given in a sentence in a month-day-year order (June 22, 2013), use commas before and after
the year; and when the day of the week is given as part of the date, use a comma after it as well:

The wedding will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2013, on a beach in Tofino.

PS: If the date is indicated by the month and the year only, no comma needed.

Contrasting part of sentence

Use the comma to set off the contrasting part of your sentence and emphasize your point. For example
(contrasting expression in italics):

• The committee changed its strategy, not its goals, for improving students’ performance.

• Two paraeducators, rather than one instructor, were chosen to supervise the program.

• The seniors are willing to participate in activities, but only on their terms

The correct way to use commas with names and titles

My friend, John, is a good painter.

My friend John is a good painter.

Both these sentences are correct and convey the same thing. The rule is – either have the commas both before
and after a name, or don’t add it at all. This is because the sentence is talking about a particular person John.
The addition of commas gives extra emphasis to the name.
 My friend John, who is a better painter than me, can do the walls for your home.

Here the comma is not essential because the clause beginning with who, does not identify John. Note that even
without the clause ‘who is a better painter than me’, the sentence is grammatically correct and conveys the
message. While introducing someone, we use commas.

This is Jane, my sister.

The distinguished scientist, Mr. Stephen, of AKL University, will be addressing the crowd
tomorrow.

In the second sentence, the comma before and after the name indicates we are talking about a specific scientist
of AKL University. The comma after the name also tells us that the information after the name is essential to
identify the person. As we see, the main places where commas are necessary before/after names are ​Where
the sentence is focussing on a particular person. While introducing a person Where the clause
before/after the name is not essential. ​Few more examples

· The mystery of the lost pencil has to be solved by Jim’s sister, Jane.

· My cousin Tom, who won a free trip to Maldives, is leaving tomorrow.

· I couldn’t complete the assignment alone, so I called my friend Sumy, who is faster and more
knowledgeable.

· Thankfully, Sumy could come and help me.

· She was reading a book, A thousand splendid suns, which is quite a classic read.

· A thousand splendid suns, authored by Khaled Hosseini, is a fantastic novel.

· This is Monica, my colleague.

Coordinating Independent Clauses

Method 1 Independent clause ; Independent clause

colon

Semicolon Independent clause ;moreover, Independent clause

with ;however,
conjunctive
adverb and ;consequently,
comma ;indeed,

;nevertheless,
;therefore,

Method 2 , for , and Independent clause

Comma and
coordinating , nor , but
conjunction
Independent clause
, or , yet

, so

Subordinating Dependent Clauses

Method 1 Independent (No punctuation) Dependent

Independent clause Clause
clause first

Method 2 Dependent , (comma) Independent

Dependent clause Clause
clause first
Common Subordinating Conjunctions​ after although as (as if) because before even though if in order that
rather than since so that than that though unless until when whenever whereas whether while

Semicolon
Semicolons are used to separate clauses or phrases that are related and that receive equal
emphasis.

Semicolons join independent clauses in a compound sentence if no coordinating conjunction is

used.

Michael seemed preoccupied; he answered our questions abruptly.

_ Semicolons are used before a conjunctive adverb (transition word) that joins the clauses of a
compound sentence.

The emergency room was crowded; however, Warren was helped immediately.

_ Semicolons help avoid confusion in lists where there are already commas.

We traveled to London, England; Paris, France; Berlin, Germany; and Sofia, Bulgaria.
 Between independent clauses containing internal punctuation even when the clauses are joined
by coordinating conjunctions.

To engender self-confidence, we must help others; but to produce love, we must please them.

Semi-colon is also used to join to sentences that relate to each other:

There’s a ninja outside my tint; His eyes are glow in the dark.

Semi-colon replace coordinating conjunctions between two complete sentences:

And, or, for, nor. But, yet….

COLON
When the sentence comes to a complete halt (after what could be an independent clause) and
an explanation or list will follow, use a colon.

He told his customers what they wanted to hear: that he would stand behind his product.
HYPHENS
● Hyphens are used to form compound words or join word units. They are used to join
prefixes, suffixes, and letters to words.Use hyphens in a compound adjective only when it
comes before the word it modifies. However, some
● compound adjectives ​are always hyphenated, such as well-balanced. Look up compound
adjectives in the

dictionary if you are unsure whether or not to hyphenate them.

EXAMPLE:​ a well-liked author an author who is well liked a world-renowned composer a composer who
is world renowned

● Use hyphens with compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine and with
fractions used as modifiers.

EXAMPLE: forty-two applicants two-thirds majority ​(two-thirds is an adjective modifying majority)

three-fourths empty ​(three-fourths is an adverb modifying empty) ​two thirds of the voters​ (two thirds is not
being used as an adjective here because thirds is a noun being modified by two)

_ Use hyphens in a compound adjective only when it comes before the word it modifies.
However, some

compound adjectives are always hyphenated, such as well-balanced. Look up compound

adjectives in the

dictionary if you are unsure whether or not to hyphenate them.

A well-liked author an author who is well liked a world-renowned composer a composer who is
world renowned

_ Use a hyphen with the prefixes ex-, self-, and all-; with the suffix -elect; and with all prefixes before a proper
noun or proper adjective.
 All-star ex-mayor pro-Canadian senator-elect anti-Semitic non-European self-control
self-image

When to Use Em Dash (—)

The em dash/ long dash (—) is different from en dash (–) and hyphen (-). Twice as long as the en dash, the long
dash can be used in place of a comma, parenthesis, or colon to enhance readability or emphasize the conclusion
of a sentence. 1. The em dash is used to show a break in a sentence. Examples:

We could not wait to meet them — we had missed them so much.

Please call my supervisor — John Wick — on Friday.

These example sentences could also be written with parentheses or commas.

We could not wait to meet them (we had missed them so much).

Please call my supervisor, John Wick, on Friday.

Please call my supervisor (John Wick) on Friday.

2. The em dash is used for marking of unimportant words.

For example:

To get to New York from here — you are heading there, right? — you need a car or a train.

3. The long dash is used to create emphasis.

Examples:
 I need to go to the supermarket to buy 3 things — toothpaste, shampoo, and soap.

My mom loves fish — my dad loves beef.

These example sentences could also be written with a colon or a semicolon.

I need to go to the supermarket to buy 3 things: toothpaste, shampoo, and soap.

My mom loves fish; my dad loves beef.

4. The em dash indicates a sudden change of thought in a sentence.

Examples:

I had a great vacation in Bali — oh! Is that your dog? He’s so cute!

The verb to be is conjugated as follows: Infinitive: be Present Participle: being Past participle: been
 Some other pronouns which are singular and
should always be followed by the singular form of the verbs are: everyone, nobody, anything, something:
 
 

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