Cha

pter

Cha

pter

Section A: The Comma

Section B: The Semicolon

Section C: Other Marks

Section D: Correcting Punctuation Errors

The Writer’s Handbook: The Mechanics of WritingThe Writer’s Handbook: The Mechanics of Writing

Section A: The CommaSection A: The Comma

Comma placement is based on rules, not pauses.

The rule came first,

the comma came second, and

the pause came third.

© 2014 The Writer’s Toolkit, Inc. All rights reserved.

When in doubt, leave it out.When in doubt, leave it out.

If you don’t know the reason to use a comma based on a rule:

Don’t use the comma.

Do additional research.

Rewrite the sentence so that you know you are correct.

Comma Rule No. 1The Sentence Core RulesComma Rule No. 1The Sentence Core Rules Do not separate a subject and verb with just one

comma.

Incorrect:

The money, was deposited in the account.

Revised:

The money was deposited in the account.

Comma Rule No. 2Comma Conjunction (CONJ) Comma Rule No. 2Comma Conjunction (CONJ) Use a comma to separate independent clauses

joined by a coordinating conjunction.

Bob went to the meeting, but he arrived late.

Mary summarized the report, and she did a good job.

Comma Rule No. 3Series (SER)Comma Rule No. 3Series (SER) When three or more items occur in a series,

separate each item with a comma.

(YOU) Please complete parts 1, 2, and 3 before you leave.

The menu listed potatoes, peas, and carrots as well as string beans for the daily special.

Mr. Jordan has divided his estate among Bob, Rose, Chuck, and Lisa.

Comma Rule No. 4Introductory (INTRO)Comma Rule No. 4Introductory (INTRO) Place a comma after a word, phrase, or dependent

clause that introduces a main clause.

Subordinating conjunctions

Although we went to the store, we did not remember to buy notebooks.

Adverbial conjunctions

However, Bob went to the meeting alone.

Comma Rule No. 5Nonrestrictive (NR)Comma Rule No. 5Nonrestrictive (NR) Use commas to set off nonessential

(nonrestrictive) explanations. Nonessential

My uncle John, who currently lives in Dallas, has been a firefighter his entire career.

Essential The person who gave you that information should

have known it was not correct.

Comma Rule No. 6Parenthetical (PAR)Comma Rule No. 6Parenthetical (PAR) Use commas to set off a word or phrase that

interrupts an independent clause.

I will, however, call you when I receive the new report.

Margaret, therefore, will be the next committee chairperson.

We will, of course, look forward to your reply.

Comma Rule No. 7Direct Address (DA)Comma Rule No. 7Direct Address (DA) Use commas to set off the name or title of a

person addressed directly.

George, will you assist me with the project?

(I) Thank you, sir, for allowing me to use the parking spot.

Everyone expected that you would do the follow-up report, Marcus.

Comma Rule No. 8Appositive (AP)Comma Rule No. 8Appositive (AP) Use commas to set off words or phrases that

describe or identify a preceding noun or pronoun.

John, my brother, will plan the family reunion this year.

Mr. Jackson, the bank’s president, is responsible for the policy change.

(YOU) Please speak to Janet, my assistant, if I am not available.

Comma Rule No. 9Addresses and Dates (AD)Comma Rule No. 9Addresses and Dates (AD) Use commas to set off addresses and dates.

Lexi agreed that Friday, May 29, 2014, would be a good date for the opening.

The target date for a merger is April 2014.

Jonathon will relocate to Boise, Idaho, as a result of his new position.

Comma Rule No. 10Words Omitted (WO)Comma Rule No. 10Words Omitted (WO)And omitted

The long and boring speech seemed to go on forever.

The long, boring speech seemed to go on forever.

That omitted

The truth is, we never received the contract.

The truth is (that) we never received the contract.

Repetitive words omitted

The annual report should be sent to our corporate office; the proposal, to the New York branch.

Comma Rule No. 11Direct Quotation (DQ)Comma Rule No. 11Direct Quotation (DQ) Use commas to set off a direct quotation within a

sentence:

Direct Quote:

Jordan said, “I have a meeting on Tuesday.”

Indirect Quote:

Jordan said that he had a meeting on Tuesday.

Note: Commas and periods are placed on the inside of the quotation marks.

Comma Rule No. 12Contrasting Expression/Afterthought Comma Rule No. 12Contrasting Expression/Afterthought Use a comma to separate a contrasting expression

(often beginning with “but,” “not,” or “rather than”) or an afterthought that is added to the end of a sentence.

My friend asked me to go to the theater, not the ballgame.

The board meeting is on Tuesday; (YOU) bring up the issue at that time, but only if you wish.

The heckler interrupted the speaker, creating chaos for a brief moment.

Section B: The SemicolonSection B: The Semicolon

Semicolons add variety and keep writing from getting choppy when sentences are short.

The semicolon communicates to readers that ideas are close in meaning.

Semicolon Rule No. 1No Conjunction (NC)Semicolon Rule No. 1No Conjunction (NC) Use a semicolon to separate two independent

clauses that are joined without a conjunction. Allison wrote the marketing report; William will

edit it. Allison wrote the marketing report. William will edit

it. The chairperson resigned yesterday; the president

already appointed a replacement. The chairperson resigned yesterday. The president

already appointed a replacement.

Semicolon Rule No. 2Semicolon Transition (TRANS)Semicolon Rule No. 2Semicolon Transition (TRANS) Place a semicolon before and a comma after

adverbial conjunctions when they act as transitions between independent clauses.

Michael went to the market; however, he forgot several items on the list.

My supervisor asked for my resignation; fortunately, he was only joking.

There will be a meeting after work on Friday; however, it will be short.

Semicolon Rule No. 3Semicolon Because of Commas Semicolon Rule No. 3Semicolon Because of Commas

When a clause needs major and minor separations, use semicolons for major breaks and commas for minor breaks.

This year’s meetings will be held in Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; Dallas, Texas; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The best time of the year for marketing campaigns is September; and since we have that time available, we should plan a meeting to develop a plan.

Section C: Other Marks Section C: Other Marks

The Colon Use a colon to indicate a list.

“These are the items to add to the agenda: annual meeting schedule and draft report changes.”

Use a colon after the words note and caution. “Note: If a complete sentence follows the introductory word

note or caution, capitalize the first word of the sentence that follows it.”

Use a colon in business letters after the salutation. Use a colon at the end of one sentence to introduce the

next sentence “LaSalle Bank is a great place to have an account: it ranks

number one in customer service.”

Section C: Other MarksSection C: Other Marks

The Ellipses

Ellipsis marks indicate an omission of a word or several words: Ellipses (plural form of ellipsis) are represented by three

periods with a space before, between and after each:

. . . When ellipses occur at the end of a quoted sentence, a

fourth period is added.

Other Marks of PunctuationOther Marks of Punctuation

The Dash Represent the dash with two hyphens without a space

before, between, or after them. The dash can be a substitute for the comma, semicolon,

period, or colon The dash places emphasis on the information following or

between them. “Trisha hosted the charity gala dinner—it raised more money

than any other event in this history of our organization.” “Charlie Richards—our new CEO—invited me to apply for the

position of Senior VP.”

Terminal Punctuation Marks Terminal Punctuation Marks

The Period indicates the end of a statement also indicates the end of a courteous request “Would you be able to return the enclosed form by Friday.”

The Exclamation Point indicates surprise “Stop!” “Congratulations on your promotion!”

The Question Mark indicates a question the writer expects the reader to answer “What next?” “He said that he would do what?” “What did he say?”

Section D: Correcting Punctuation ErrorsSection D: Correcting Punctuation Errors Dependent Clauses as Fragments

An independent Clause can stand alone.

A dependent Clause doesn’t express a complete thought so it can’t stand alone.

“Bill advised our department the policy had changed.”

“Because Bill advised our department the policy had changed.”

Correcting FragmentsCorrecting Fragments

Turn the dependent clause into an independent clause.

You may be able to do this simply by removing the subordinating conjunction.

Attach the dependent clause to an independent clause.

Often the sentence before or after the dependent clause completes it nicely.

Phrases as FragmentsPhrases as Fragments

Fragments can occur when a phrase is punctuated as a sentence:

a phrase does not have a subject and a verb.

An infinitive phrase is formed by adding “to” the base form of the verb.

“To go to the store before going to work because it was on my way”

“To see you at the meeting later today with all of the necessary forms”

A gerund phrase is formed by adding ing to the base form of the verb.

“Going to the store before going to work because it was on my way”

“Seeing you at the meeting later today with all of the necessary forms”

Run-On SentencesRun-On Sentences

A fused sentence consists of two independent clauses that are connected without a comma or conjunction.

A run-on sentence consists of two independent clauses that are joined with a coordinating conjunction but without a comma to separate them.

Fused: “Each session is limited to 22 participants call today to reserve

your space.” Run-on:

“In response, several states have adopted their own provisions and several more are considering similar measures. “

Correcting Run-On SentencesCorrecting Run-On Sentences

To correct fused or run-on sentences, do one of the following: Place a period after each independent clause. Use a comma and coordinating conjunction to separate

the independent clauses. Use a semicolon to separate the independent clauses.

Revised: “Each session is limited to 22 participants. Call today to

reserve your space.” “In response, several states have adopted their own

provisions, and several more are considering similar measures.”

Comma SpliceComma Splice

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined with only a comma. “The department received explicit instructions, everyone

agreed to participate.”

To correct a comma splice, do one of the following: Change the comma into a semicolon. Add a coordinating conjunction. Change the comma to a subordinating conjunction.

Revised: “The department received explicit instructions; everyone

agreed to participate.”