Punctuation

1. Punctuation 12 Simple Rules for Punctuating Sentences

2. 12 Punctuation Rules • These rules do not cover EVERY point on punctuation; however, if you master these simple rules, you will be well on your way to using punctuation correctly.

3. 1. Use a period at the end of a sentence and after abbreviations and initials. *Note: Two-letter state abbreviations are used without periods and are written as two capital letters with no space between the letters. Ex: Dr. My dog ran away. Co. NJ, CO, DE H. L. Jones

4. 2. If a sentence is asking a question, use a question mark (?) at the end of the sentence. Exclamation marks (!) are used to show great surprise, urgency, or strong feeling. Ex: Where is the bell-work for today? The bell-work ismissing!

5. Use a comma to separate words or phrases in a series. Ex: He bought eggs, milk, bread, and a paper. Ex: The gas entered the house through an open window, through the crack under the door, and down the open chimney.

6. Use a comma to separate an appositive. (An appositive is a word or phrase that repeats the noun directly before it. Ex: George Washington, our first president, is a hero for all of us.

7. Use a comma in dates where you have three or more items together. Ex: The allies invaded Europe on June 5, 1944. With two items no comma is required. Ex: June 5 was the day to remember.

8. Use a comma to separate three items in an address, and/or to separate a city from a state. Ex: He lived at 21 Main St., Denver, Colorado. Ex: He lives in Denver, Colorado, but he is moving to Bradford, Florida, next month.

9. Use a comma to set off an introductory clause. (The sentence will usually begin with the word since, because, although, as, if, when, or similar words.) Ex: Because he was going to be late, he took a key with him. Ex: Since it stopped raining, she no longer needed an umbrella.

10. Use a comma to separate the main clauses connected by “and” or “but.” (A main clause is a clause that could stand alone as a simple sentence.) Ex: It was raining. We continued to play in the rain. It was raining, but we continued to play in the rain. Ex: She cashed her paycheck. They bought a ticket for Tucson. She cashed her paycheck, and they bought a ticket for Tucson.

11. Use a comma to set off interrupting words and phrases like “however,” “of course,” “for example,” “more-over.” Ex: He, however, would not ask her out. What, for example, is the square root of nine?

12. In a direct quotation use a comma to set off expressions such as—“he said,” or “she stated.” The direct quotation is enclosed with quotation marks. Periods and commas go inside quotes. Ex: He said, “What a lot of rot that is.” Ex: “Tomorrow,” she stated, “I will begin to think about that.” **Remember, the first word in a direct quote is capitalized.

13. “No,” “yes,” “well,” and “however” will generally be set off with commas when they are the first words in a sentence. Ex: No, I will not go. Well, I may think about it.

14. When a person is directly addressed the name is set off with a comma. Ex: Susie, pay attention. Ex: Susie never pays attention. Ex: Put your hand down, Frank.

15. NOTE: Underline each word in the title of a book, movie, or television show. Ex: I had read Gone With the Wind before I saw it in the movies. Ex: The Ed Sullivan Show was the last of athe variety type shows. Ex: He gave me the book The Complete Poems of Robert Browning.

16. NOTE: For the title of individual poems, short stories, or episodes in a television series, put the title in quotation marks. Ex: My favorite poem is “Invictus.” Ex: In the Collected Short Words of Poe, I liked the short story “The Gold Bug” the best. Ex: Of all the Star Trek shows I liked “The Last Warrior” the best.

17. Practice • I’d like you to meet my aunt the writer of One Hundred and One Recipes • Please sit next to Dr and Mrs J L Heathcliff • Oh so you’ve been here before have you • It was impossible not to be rude to that proud overbearing man

18. Practice • Yes he said he likes chocolate on the top vanilla in the middle and strawberry on the bottom • She thought it would be fun to go skiing but he wanted to hang-glide • Since he was the first he should be served first

19. Practice • “How do you do” he said “I’m glad to finally meet you” • The ending however was far from satisfactory • He would not mind going to Portland Oregon or anywhere else you asked him to go • Pete Meyer the french fry king has finally announced his retirement

20. Practice • The mayor a good neighbor of mine has gone into a private law firm • “Did he” I asked “drop the ball on the third strike” • In my life I’ve seen New York New York Akron Ohio Baltimore Maryland Washington D C and Hoboken New Jersey

21. Practice • Let’s meet here again at 915 on Tuesday July 18 • The father of the child said “I was afraid but I had to do it” • When Neil Armstrong first stepped on the moon he made the following statement “That’s one small step for man and a giant leap for mankind”

22. Practice • Because it was late we said goodnight and turned out the lights • If it rains remember to bring your umbrella otherwise we’ll ruin our clothes • Simon did you say you were dating the redhead who works the cash register or are you seeing the redhead who cuts hair at “La Hair Boutique”