Punctuation Pointersby Harrell's

Blog, General April 8, 2010 9:33 am

We could all use a punctuation refresher from time to time. Good news — class is is session for this edition of the Front Porch blog!

The Comma

The comma tells readers to pause briefly between words and groups of words, and it helps to clarify meaning.

• Use a comma to join 2 independent clauses.  An independent clause has a subject and a verb, and it expresses a complete idea.  Use a comma between 2 independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction – and, but, or, nor, for, yet, or so.
  • The hikers traveled for miles, and they arrived tired.
  • Jeff had not eaten, so I offered him a sandwich.
• Use a comma to set off introductory elements such as an introductory dependent clause, phrase, or a word from an independent clause.
  • Because the state has budget problems, many communities are faced with a loss of services.
  • Attempting to balance the budget, the governor asked that the sales tax be increased.
  • However, the legislature refused to go along with the increase.
• Use a comma to separate items in a series (words, phrases, clauses).  NOTE:  You may leave out the comma before the final item in a series if you are sure readers will not misread the sentence.  Whichever method you choose, be consistent.
  • The menu for tonight’s dinner includes possum stew, black-eyed peas, hot cornbread, and ice cold tea.
  • Western pioneers grew their own food, made their own clothing, and built their own homes.
  • My father listens to classical music, I like jazz and bluegrass, and my sister loves rock.
• Use a comma around nonessential elements – a word, phrase, or clause that adds information but is not essential to the meaning of a sentence.  NOTE:  If you can leave out the word, phrase, or clause without changing the meaning of the sentence, you can be sure you should use commas.
  • Chicago, which is in Illinois, was once destroyed by a fire.
• Use a comma around nonrestrictive modifiers.  NOTE:  If a modifier can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence, you can be sure you should use commas.
  • Nonrestrictive:  Students, who use the library free of charge, must show their IDs.
  • Restrictive:  Students who study hard should pass.
• Use a comma to set off sentence interrupters including internal transitions, interjections, and words used in a direct address.
  • Interrupter:  He has reading problems, they believe, because he needs glasses.
  • Interrupter:  Most people, claims my father, are worth knowing.
  • Transition:  For my family of seven, on the other hand, eating out is too expensive.
  • Interjection:  We walked for, oh, about two miles.
  • Word in direct address:  Bob, will this idea work?
• Use a comma to separate adjectives that describe the same noun.  NOTE:  If you can insert and between two adjectives naturally, the adjectives should be separated by a comma.
  • They slept under a warm, fluffy quilt.

The Semicolon

The semicolon tells readers to pause a little longer; it is a stronger mark of punctuation than the comma.  Semicolons are primarily used to separate clauses and phrases that are related and that receive equal emphasis.

• Use a semicolon between independent clauses that are related and that are NOT connected by a coordinating conjunction.
  • The house was very old; it had been built in 1710.
  • The Scholastic Aptitude Test is widely used; each year more than a million students take it.
• Use a semicolon between independent clauses with a conjunction adverb or transitional phrase.  A conjunctive adverb is used with a semicolon to connect two main (independent) ideas.  It shows how the main clauses it connects relate to each other.  A transitional phrase is a group of words that, like a conjunctive adverb, is used with a semicolon to connect two main clauses.
  • Conjunctive adverb:  Don’t come late; otherwise, you will miss dinner.
  • Transitional phrase:  In some schools, classes are small; as a result, teachers can give students individual attention.
• Use a semicolon to separate items in a series when one or more items contain a comma.
  • At a recent seminar, we heard Reginald Mack, a district attorney, speak on victim’s rights; Maria Mendoza, a professor of law, speak on the court system; and Olaf Christian, a police officer, speak on gun control.

The Colon

The colon is a mark of punctuation used inside a sentence to clarify meaning or create emphasis.  The colon points to or introduces information that follows.

• Use a colon to separate independent clauses.
  • Thomas Jefferson had a distinguished career in public service: he was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, served as the third president of the United States, and founded the University of Virginia.
• Use a colon to introduce information after an independent clause.
  • Goldie’s Cafe serves my favorite dish:  Hungarian goulash.
  • You will need two tools to assemble the wagon:  a screwdriver and a wrench.
  • Please do the following:  Write your name at the top, mark your answers in the left column, and complete all fifty questions.
• Use a colon to introduce a quotation.
  • The first amendment to the United States Constitution states:  “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
• Use a colon in the salutation of a business letter.
  • Dear Professor Johnson:

The Apostrophe

Apostrophes show possession and are also used to create special relationships between words.

• Add ’s if the noun does not end in s.
  • Robert’s license was taken away after he was arrested.
  • The hospital’s emergency room was crowded.
  • The children’s shoes were expensive.
• Add ‘s if the noun is singular and ends in s.
  • The bus’s door jammed.
  • James’s book is missing.
• Add only an apostrophe if the noun is plural and ends in s.
  • The mountains’ peaks were not visible.
  • The senior citizens’ benefits were increased.
  • The Greeks’ plan was to enter Troy by hiding in a large wooden horse.
• In a series of nouns, add ‘s only to the last noun to show joint possession.  Add ‘s to each noun to show individual possession.
  • Joint:  Groucho, Chico, and Harpo’s films get high marks from movie fans.
  • Individual:  Angela’s and Michael’s study habits are different.

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