Punctuation Guide - Part I

Punctuation Guide: Part I
This guide contains rules on basic punctuation and presents an overview of the various punctuation marks.
Colon :
Usage
1. To mark a break in grammatical construction, equivalent to that marked by a

semicolon, but the colon emphasizes the content relation between the separated
elements Example:
Many of the policemen had additional jobs: thirteen of them, for example, doubled as cavaliers.
2. To introduce a list or a series Example:

Binghamton’s study included the three most critical areas: McBurney Point, Rockland, and Effingham.
3. To introduce a formal statement, an extract or a speech in dialogue Example:

The rule may be stated thus: Always…
As the president of the council suggested: … Michael:
The incident has already been reported.
4. To introduce a further amplification or a summary of what has just been said

Example:
After years of work, he finally had it: the championship.
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5. To let one clause explain another Example:
He was late: his car had broken down.
6. To mark separation, with respect to time or between the title and sub-title in a
citation Example:
8:57:09 4:25 p.m. Part I: Act II: Scene iv: Line 22.
Disease Pain and Sacrifice: Toward a Psychology of Suffering.
7. To introduce a definition Example:

elephant (noun): a large grey mammal…
8. To mark the term follows or following, when they are followed directly by
illustrating or enumerated items Example:
The steps are as follows: …
Punctuation
• Place colons after independent clauses.
• Format: o Capitalize the first letter after a colon only if the clause it begins forms a complete sentence. Example:
To Henrietta, there seemed no possibility of waking from her nightmare: If she were to reveal what was in the letter, her reputation
would be ruined and her marriage at an end.
Exception: Where colons fall within titles of papers, articles, chapters, and books, the first word after a colon will always be
capitalized
o In italicized titles, the colon will also be italicized.

Example:
Skelton, Patrick. Skating on Thin Ice: A Study of Honesty in Political Campaigning (Cleveland: Cicero Publications, 1988).
o With quotation marks and parentheses:
The colon should be outside the quotation marks or parentheses.
Example:
Kego had three objections to “Filmore’s Summer”: it was contrived; the characters were flat; the dialogue was unrealistic.
Don’ts
A colon should not be used in the following circumstances:
• If a list or series is introduced by an expression such as “namely”, “for instance,” “for example,” or “that is,” unless the series consists of one or
more grammatically complete sentence Example:
Binghamton’s study included the three most critical areas, namely, McBurney Point, Rockland, and Effingham.
• When a verb or preposition introduces a list Example:

The metals excluded were
molybdenum mercury
manganese
• To separate a preposition from its objects Example:

“She was in charge of registration, cabin assignments, and camp clean-up.” (not “She was in charge of: registration, cabin assignments, and
camp clean-up.”)
• To separate a verb from its objects Example:

”I like to play soccer, racquetball, and ice hockey.” (Not “I like to play: soccer, racquetball, and ice hockey.”)
Period .
Usage
1. To mark the end of a declarative or an imperative sentence, i.e.,
sentences which do not use question marks or exclamation marks.
Example:
The two men faced each other in silence.
Wait here.
2. Used at the end of or in the middle of abbreviations. Example:

Ph.D. Co. Mr.
3. Used after the initials in a person’s name. Example:

Charles C. Thomas P. J. Carter.
4. Used after numbers and letters that indicate items in a vertical list.
Example:
1. Strigiformes
2. Caprimulgiformes
5. Used instead of a question mark after a polite request. Example:

Will you please return the completed from at your earliest convenience. May
we have your reply before May 10.
Punctuation
• Abbreviations:
The period that marks an abbreviation is never omitted before a mark of sentence punctuation, except when the abbreviation comes at the
end of a sentence.
Example:
The firm of Allan and Co., of which I am a partner, has its head office in Ottawa. I
was made a partner in the firm of Allan and Co.
• Parentheses:
o Periods are enclosed in brackets/parentheses when they contain an independent sentence.
o Periods are left out if the enclosed matter comes at the end of an including sentence.
• Quotation marks:
Periods are almost always enclosed within quotation marks.
Example:
The excursion guide said, “This unconformity is marked by a regolith, not a shear zone.”
Exception: Periods may be excluded if quoted words and phrases fall at the end of the sentence and could cause confusion.
Example:
The first line of Le Beau’s warning to Orland has long been regarded as reading “Good sir, I do in friendship counsel you”.
• Ellipsis:
When the last part of a sentence is omitted and what remains is grammatically complete, four dots—a period followed by three ellipsis dots--
are used to indicate an omission.
Example:
Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address speaks of the need to preserve “…government of the people, by the people and for the people. . . .”
Don’t
A period is not used in the following circumstances:

• At the end of incomplete sentences or lists, unless
one or more of the items are complete sentences
Example:
Courses include:
Microelectronic Feats
Hydroelectricity and Sound
Transformer Conversions
• After display lines, titles, and centered headings

Example:
Stratigraphy of the Upshot River Valley
• After paragraph headings on separate lines Example:

Detailed stratigraphy of the upper 50 m
• After box headings in tables Example:

Total organic carbon (%)
• After date lines and signatures Example:

10 October 1910, Allen J. Moore
• After SI symbols or English units of measure, except in the case of

inches Example:
All the major events took place within about 15 km in that region.
• After individual letters in acronyms and initialisms Example:

NATO UNESCO DNAG CIMM
Comma ,
Usage
1. In a long compound sentence, between independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction
(such as and, or, but, for, nor, so, or yet) Example:
The new crates arrived late yesterday, and they will be delivered tomorrow.
Exception: The comma is omitted if the clauses are short and closely related.
Example:
Timothy played the guitar and Betty sang.
2. To set off parenthetical statements (i.e., defining, enumerating or complementary words, phrases, or
clauses)
Example: (both examples are similar)
The quality of the material, however, was beyond question. The
duty on the shipment has, of course, been paid.
3. To set off introductory words, phrases and clauses Example:

Incidentally, Mr. Carr will not be here to help with the program.
After reading the note, Henrietta turned pale.
When the typist completed the letters, he placed them on my desk.
4. To set off interjections, transitional adverbs or adverbial phrases, and similar elements that effect a
distinct break in thought Example:
Well, I’m afraid I was unprepared to find her here.
This, indeed, was exactly what Scali had feared would happen.
5. To separate words, phrases, or clauses in a series Example:

Mr. Harrison asked us to bring paper, pencils, and erasers.
Note:
The use of term et cetera (etc.) is usually discouraged in academic writing, but when used it is set off by commas. The same is true of terms
like and so on, and so forth.
Example:
The firm manufactured nuts, bolts, nails, wire, etc., at its plant on the Passaic River.
The carpenter’s saw, hammer, level, and so forth, were found at the bottom of the lake.
6. To set off non-restrictive dependent clauses Example:

At last she arrived, when the food was cold.
7. To separate two adjectives modifying the same noun, if the word ‘and’ could be used between the
adjectives Example:
His arrogant, condescending manner annoyed his associates.
Exception: The comma is omitted if the first adjective modifies the idea expressed by the combination of the second adjective and the noun.
Example:
Her bright red dress was very noticeable.
8. To set off a nonessential phrase or clause Example:

The speaker, realizing his mistake, apologized to the chairman.
9. To set off a nonessential appositive (an appositive is a noun or pronoun -- often with modifiers – set
beside another noun or pronoun to explain or identify it) Example:
Mr. Swanson, my supervisor, is being promoted to a higher position.
Note:
Appositives are often disguised by the conjunction or.
Example:
The steward, or farm manager, was an important functionary in medieval life.
Exception: The comma is dropped if the appositive has a restrictive function.
Example:
My son Michael was the first to reply.
10. Before words like including and such as, when followed by a nonrestrictive, nonessential phrase or
clause Example:
The new policy applies to everyone, including faculty.
Some students make silly excuses, such as ‘My dog ate my homework.”
11. Before the word respectively Example:

Tantalum and Niobium were treated at 1230 K and 1300 K, respectively.
12. After expressions like that is, namely, i.e., and e.g. Example:
He had put the question to several of his friends, namely, Jones, Burdick, and Fauntleroy.
13. To set off geographical names, items in dates (except the month and day) and addresses Example:
Birmingham, Alabama, gets its name from Birmingham, England.
July 22, 1959, was a momentous day in his life.
Exception: When you use just the month and the year, no comma is necessary.
Example:
The average temperatures for July 1998 are the highest on record for that month.
14. To shift between the main discourse and a quotation Example:

John said without emotion, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
”I was able,” she answered, “to complete the assignment.”
15. To separate numbers

In most numbers of 1000 or more, commas should be used between groups of three digits, counting from the right.
Example:
32,987 1,512 1,000,000.
16. To make the meaning of a sentence clear, that is, to prevent possible confusion or misreading
Example:
To George, Harrison had been a sort of idol.
Ever since, our supplies have been stored in the warehouse.
Punctuation
• Commas are enclosed in quotation marks in American English.
Example:
See Brighton’s comments on “political expedience,” which may be found elsewhere in this volume.
• Commas are placed outside parentheses or brackets. Example:

Here he gives a belated, though stilted (and somewhat obscure), exposition on the subject.
• Commas are placed after apostrophes. Example:

Were the drawings the architects’, or were they yours?
Note:
When the phrase ‘such as’ is used to connect a term to an example of that term and it appears directly between the term and the example,
then the comma can be omitted, but if words interrupt the term and the example, then use a comma.
Example:
Be sure to include vegetables such as broccoli and carrots in your diet.
Be sure to include vegetables in your diet, such as broccoli and carrots.
The pronouns ‘which’ and ‘that’ are used as conjunctions to introduce clauses that modify or describe a noun. ‘Which’ introduces a
nonrestrictive clause that provides extra or non-essential descriptive information. ‘That’ introduces a restrictive clause that provides
essential information or description. While ‘which’ needs a comma, it can be dropped for ‘that.’ Example:
I saw the dog that bit you.
I saw the dog that bit you, which is a collie.
Don’ts
A comma should not be used in the following circumstances:
• With a phrase like ‘as well as,’ in which the clause is essential and restrictive.
Example:
The new policy applies to faculty as well as staff.
• After the main clause when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows it.
Example:
Incorrect: She was late for class, because her alarm clock was broken.
Incorrect: The cat scratched at the door, while I was eating.
Correct: She was still quite upset, although she had won the Oscar.
• To separate the subject from the verb. Example:

Incorrect: An eighteen-year old in California, is now considered an adult.
• Between two verbs or verb phrases in a compound predicate. Example:

Incorrect: We laid out our music and snacks, and began to study. Incorrect:
I turned the corner, and ran smack into a patrol car.
• Around Inc., Ltd., etc., as part of a company’s name, if it can be avoided.

However, where commas are used, they must appear both before and after the
element. Example:
The president of Millennial Products Inc. was the first speaker. OR The
president of Millennial Products, Inc., was the first speaker.
Semicolon ;
Usage
1. To join two independent clauses, in other words, to join two clauses that could be sentences Example:
Mary drives a Mercedes; Joanne drives a Chevrolet.
Note: When we use a semi-colon, we are usually suggesting that there is a relationship between the sentences, but we are not making that
relationship clear. When we use a semi-colon, it is often because we want to make readers think about the relationship. This is useful in many
situations, such as when writing cautiously, ironically, or humorously.
2. Between the two parts of a compound sentence when they are not connected by a conjunction Example:
His announcement came as a complete surprise; no one knew what to do.
3. Between independent clauses that are joined by a coordinate conjunction, when either or both of the clauses contain
commas Example:
Our next conference, according to management, will be held on the West Coast; but the exact site had not been determined. As
you can see, the job is not difficult; and I am sure you have the needed skills.
4. Between independent clauses that are joined by a conjunctive adverb (such as therefore, however, consequently, then,
thus, hence, indeed, accordingly, besides, nevertheless, in fact). Use a comma after the conjunctive adverb. Example:
I cannot be in attendance at the meeting; nevertheless, you should attempt to resolve the issue as best you can. Johnny
was late to work again today; in fact, he very seldom comes on time.
5. To separate the items in a list, when the elements are long and complex and involve internal punctuation. Example:
I prefer cereal, banana, milk, juice, and English muffins for breakfast; a turkey, cheese, lettuce, and tomato sandwich for lunch; and pasta,
salad, rolls, and apple pie for dinner.
Representatives from Boston, Massachusetts; Los Angeles, California; and Denver, Colorado, were not present at the conference.
Punctuation
• The semicolon always belongs outside the final quotation marks. Example:
He said, “I hit him”; he smiled wickedly.
Don’t
Use a semicolon if the second sentence begins with a conjunction (and, but, or, etc.), because the conjunction, and the comma that usually go with it,
are equivalent to a semicolon.

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Punctuation Guide: Part I

1. To mark a break in grammatical construction, equivalent to that marked by a

2. To introduce a list or a series Example:

3. To introduce a formal statement, an extract or a speech in dialogue Example:

4. To introduce a further amplification or a summary of what has just been said

7. To introduce a definition Example:

o In italicized titles, the colon will also be italicized.

• When a verb or preposition introduces a list Example:

• To separate a preposition from its objects Example:

• To separate a verb from its objects Example:

2. Used at the end of or in the middle of abbreviations. Example:

3. Used after the initials in a person’s name. Example:

5. Used instead of a question mark after a polite request. Example:

A period is not used in the following circumstances:

• After display lines, titles, and centered headings

• After paragraph headings on separate lines Example:

• After box headings in tables Example:

• After date lines and signatures Example:

• After SI symbols or English units of measure, except in the case of

• After individual letters in acronyms and initialisms Example:

3. To set off introductory words, phrases and clauses Example:

5. To separate words, phrases, or clauses in a series Example:

6. To set off non-restrictive dependent clauses Example:

8. To set off a nonessential phrase or clause Example:

11. Before the word respectively Example:

14. To shift between the main discourse and a quotation Example:

15. To separate numbers

• Commas are placed outside parentheses or brackets. Example:

• Commas are placed after apostrophes. Example:

• To separate the subject from the verb. Example:

• Between two verbs or verb phrases in a compound predicate. Example:

• Around Inc., Ltd., etc., as part of a company’s name, if it can be avoided.

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