Basic Rules of 12 Punctuation Marks in Detail
- Comma. A comma is a curved shaped line attached to a dot that is usually used to indicate a pause or separate clauses in...
- Period. A period is a dot that usually marks the end of a sentence. Rule 1: A period is used at the end of a complete...
- Question Mark. A question mark is a curved line with a dot at the bottom, used to signify a question. Rule 1: A question...
- Exclamation Point. An exclamation point is a vertical line with a dot at the bottom, which is used to signify...
- Ellipsis.
- Use a comma to separate items in a list (but beware of the serial comma). ...
- Use a comma to join independent clauses. ...
- Use a comma to join a dependent clause and an independent clause. ...
- Use a comma following an introductory word group. ...
- Use a comma to interrupt a sentence or to provide additional information.
What is an example of a commas rule?
(comma) 12. Sentences that begin with subordinate conjunctions (clauses) must have a comma. (Technically, this is part of rule #4, but I wanted to point this out to you.) SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS after in order (that) unless although insofar as until as in that when as far as lest whenever as soon as no matter how where
When do you not need a comma in a sentence?
Comma Rule #12- Greeting& Closing of a Letter This one is easy: Dear Mom, Sincerely yours, When writing a business letter, use a colon (:) after the greeting.
When to use a comma in a list?
Rule 12a. Use commas to introduce or interrupt direct quotations of dialogue or text. Examples: He said, "I don't care." "Why," I asked, "don't you care?" Toni Morrison wrote, "If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." This rule is optional with one-word quotations. Example: He said "Stop."
How do you use a comma in a 15A rule?
03/02/2020 · #12 Use commas before every sequence of three numbers when writing a number larger than 999. (Two exceptions are writing years and house numbers.) For example, 10,000 or 1,304,687.
What are the 15 rules for commas?
Terms in this set (15)Rule 1: 3 things in a series. ... Rule 2: introductory phrase. ... Rule 3: introdutory participles. ... Rule 4: interrupt flow. ... Rule 5: appositives. ... Rule 6: after introductory word and direct names. ... Rule 7: use conjunctions to join main clauses. ... Rule 8: after an adverb clause that introduces a sentence.More items...
What are the rules for using commas?
Commas (Eight Basic Uses)Use a comma to separate independent clauses. ... Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase. ... Use a comma between all items in a series. ... Use commas to set off nonrestrictive clauses. ... Use a comma to set off appositives. ... Use a comma to indicate direct address. ... Use commas to set off direct quotations.More items...
What are the 13 comma rules?
13 rules for using commas without looking like an idiotUse a comma before any coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet) that links two independent clauses. ... Use a comma after a dependent clause that starts a sentence. ... Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence.More items...•27-Mar-2017
What are the 6 rules of commas?
Six Comma RulesPut a comma before for, and, not, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS), when they connect two. ... Put a comma after an introductory expression that doesn't flow smoothly into the. ... Put a comma between items in a series. ... Put commas around an expression that interrupts the flow of the sentence (such as.More items...
What are commas examples?
Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items. Example: My estate goes to my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and nephew. Note: When the last comma in a series comes before and or or (after daughter-in-law in the above example), it is known as the Oxford comma.
What are the four types of commas?
There are four types of comma: the listing comma, the joining comma, the gapping comma and bracketing commas.
What are the 11 comma rules?
Use a comma when two sentences are joined with and, or, but, or nor. When two complete sentences are joined with and, or, but, or nor, place a comma before the and, or, but, or nor. A sentence that has two or more verbs but does not have two complete sentences does not require a comma.
Is there a comma after in 2021?
No. A comma is needed when you include the day of the month as well. July 2020 is simply understood.
Do you put a comma after love?
When signing your holiday cards, ensure that your closing phrase (such as “Sincerely,” “Love,” or “Best Wishes”) is followed by a comma. The comma should separate the closing phrase from the signature, which is your name, or a combination names.
What are the 5 comma rules?
Five Comma RulesUse a comma after an introductory phrase or clause. ... Use commas before and after a parenthetical phrase or clause. ... Use a comma to separate two independent clauses linked by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor or, so, yet) ... Use a comma to separate items in a series.More items...
What are five primary uses of a comma?
The 5 Uses of a CommaSeparating the main elements of a sentence from each other.Setting off a parenthetical element from the rest of the sentence.Separating elements in a series.Setting off dialogs or quotations.Other uses of the comma.
How do you use commas in a list of three?
Commas should be used when three or more items in a series are listed. A comma should be placed between each of the three items (it is also acceptable to leave out the comma between the second-to-last item and the last item in the series). Items in the series may consist of a word, clause, or phrase.
How to know if a comma is needed?
Another way to determine if a comma is needed is to mentally put and between the two adjectives. If the result still makes sense, add the comma. In the examples above, a strong and healthy man makes sense, but an expensive and summer resort does not. Rule 3a.
When to use a comma in an introduction?
If such a phrase contains more than one preposition, a comma may be used unless a verb immediately follows the phrase.
Do newspapers use the Oxford comma?
Most newspapers and magazine s drop the Oxford comma in a simple series, apparently feeling it's unnecessary. However, omission of the Oxford comma can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. Example: We had coffee, cheese and crackers and grapes.
When is a comma unnecessary?
A comma is usually unnecessary when the sentence starts with an independent clause followed by a dependent clause. Example: Let me know now if you are not sure about this. Rule 5. Use commas to set off nonessential words, clauses, and phrases (see Who, That, Which, Rule 2b).
Do fiction books use commas?
Fiction and nonfiction books generally prefer the Oxford comma. Writers must decide Oxford or no Oxford and not switch back and forth, except when omitting the Oxford comma could cause confusion as in the cheese and crackers example. Rule 2. Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the order of the adjectives is interchangeable.
When to use a comma in a sentence?
Example: That is my money, not yours. Rule 16a. Use a comma before and after certain introductory words or terms , such as namely, that is, i.e., e.g., and for instance, when they are followed by a series of items.
Do you put a comma after the state?
Use a comma to separate a city from its state, and remember to put one after the state, also. Example: I'm from the Akron, Ohio, area. Rule 11. Traditionally, if a person's name is followed by Sr. or Jr., a comma follows the last name: Martin Luther King, Jr. This comma is no longer considered mandatory.
What is an appositive in a sentence?
Appositives act as synonyms for a juxtaposed word or phrase. For example, “While running, I saw a mallard, a kind of duck.” “A kind of duck” is the appositive, which gives more information about “a mallard.”. If the appositive occurs in the middle of the sentence, both sides of the phrase need a comma.
Where do commas go in a quote?
The rule for where the comma goes, however, depends on where attribution comes. If attribution comes before the quote, place the comma outside the quotations marks. The runner said, “I saw a duck.”. If attribution comes after the quote, put the comma inside the quotation marks. “I saw a duck,” said the runner.
Do you need a comma in a sentence?
mind your language spelling. Contrary to popular belief, commas don’t just signify pauses in a sentence. In fact, precise rules govern when to use this particular punctuation mark. When followed, they lay the groundwork for clear written communication. We’ve compiled a list of all of the times when you need the mighty comma.
What is the last comma?
That last comma, known as the serial comma, Oxford comma, or Harvard comma, causes serious controversy. Although many consider it unnecessary, others insist on its use to reduce ambiguity. There’s an Internet meme that demonstrates its necessity perfectly.
Do you put a comma at the end of a sentence?
Commas always follow these clauses at the start of a sentence. If a dependent clause ends the sentence, however, it no longer requires a comma. Only use a comma to separate a dependent clause at the end of a sentence for added emphasis, usually when negation occurs.
Do you need a comma for an appositive?
If the appositive occurs in the middle of the sentence, both sides of the phrase need a comma. As in, “A mallard, a kind of duck, attacked me.”. Don’t let the length of an appositive scare you. As long as the phrase somehow gives more information about its predecessor, you usually need a comma.
Does "that attacked me" need a comma?
Otherwise, no one would know why the duck scared your friend. Clauses that begin with “that” are usually essential to the sentence and do not require commas.
Comma
A comma is a curved shaped line attached to a dot that is usually used to indicate a pause or separate clauses in a sentence.
Question Mark
A question mark is a curved line with a dot at the bottom, used to signify a question.
Exclamation Point
An exclamation point is a vertical line with a dot at the bottom, which is used to signify surprise or strong feelings.
Colon
A colon is a pair of dots arranged vertically and is usually used to begin a list.
Semicolon
A semicolon is a period and comma arranged vertically with the period on top and the comma on the bottom. It is often used to separate independent clauses in a sentence.
Hyphen
A hyphen is a horizontal line generally used to connect two words together.
Dash
A dash is a horizontal line, similar to a hyphen, except it is usually used to denote a break in the sentence, similar to a comma or semicolon.
What is Cleo's favorite activity?
Cleo’s favorite activities are singing on stage, and relaxing in the sunshine. Cleo’s favorite activities are singing on stage and relaxing in the sunshine. When correcting a comma splice, that is when joining two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction, put the comma before and.
When to use a comma in a list?
When you have a list that contains more than two elements, use commas to separate them. Julie loves ice cream books and kittens. Julie loves ice cream, books, and kittens. Julie loves ice cream, books and kittens. (The comma before the and in a list of three or more items is optional.
What does a comma mean in a sentence?
While a period ends a sentence, a comma indicates a smaller break. Some writers think of a comma as a soft pause—a punctuation mark that separates words, clauses, or ideas within a sentence.
What is an appositive in a sentence?
An appositive is a word or phrase that refers to the same thing as another noun in the same sentence. Often, the appositive provides additional information about the noun or helps to distinguish it in some way. If you could remove the appositive without changing the meaning of the sentence, it is said to be nonessential and should be set off with commas. If the appositive is necessary, it’s said to be essential and it should not be set off with commas.