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Punctuation
In Summary
Full-stops/periods
– used to end a complete sentence, longest of
pauses
Commas
– show where pauses are placed
– enclose extra information
– enclose a non-defining relative clause
– increase clarity where ambiguity is possible
– to separate items in a list, to separate
adjectives in a series
– to link a dependent and an independent clause
when the former starts a sentence
– numbers
Semi-colons
– longer pauses than commas, but not as long as
a full-stop/period
– connect two independent phrases where
meaning is closely connected and no
coordinating conjunction is used
– longer lists
Colons
– not used to provide pauses
– introducing a list or a subdivision of a subject
In English, punctuation helps make the meaning of a sentence unambiguous.
A coherent sentence requires appropriately used punctuation and this will
depend on the kind of sentence written and the message meant. The wrong
punctuation could change the meaning completely. Compare the following
examples:
Frequently changed grades lead to
dissatisfied students.
Frequently, changed grades lead to
dissatisfied students.
In the first sentence, only the grades are frequently changed, which the
students do not like, whereas in the second sentence, the fact that grades
are changed often upsets the students.
The most commonly confused punctuation symbols are the comma, colon
and semi-colon. In the tables below, you will find information about these
and examples of their use. It is important to be aware of their functions in
the English language as punctuation rules are not always the same in all
languages.
Comma
Example
Use sentences Remarks
1. At present
Introducto levels of
ry phrases growth, Here the
industry will sentence needs
(to separate
soon be back the comma to
“preliminary
” words or on track. show the reader
word-groups where the pause
from the comes. Otherwise
At present,
rest of the the reader will
industry
sentence,
needs more not understand
often
investment the meaning until
adverbs)
to get back the end of the
on track.
sentence is
reached.
However, Again both
common examples are
practice is to correct but in the
remove the… first, “however”
has the same
meaning as “but”
However
common it and should be
may be to separated with a
ignore this comma, but in
input, we the second the
should meaning is more
nevertheless “it doesn’t matter
…
how common it
may be” and
therefore the
“however”
belongs to the
rest of the phrase
The building,
as mentioned
previously,
will be
situated…
The fuel
valve, a
solenoid gate
valve,
consists of… Sometimes
brackets
2. This action is (parentheses) are
optional used if the
Additional
(though comment is a
informatio recommende stronger,
n d). explanatory one.
(to include
Metal – either
extra Dashes can also
steel or
information be used for this
aluminium –
in a though they are
is used to
sentence) more informal.
facilitate the
process.
3. Relative The cable The first example
clauses which is next is defining, it
to the explains which of
(to enclose
machine several cables is
a non-
defining needs to be being referred to;
relative plugged in. the second is
clause i.e. non-defining (i.e.
when it provides extra
provides The cable,
which is next information); it
extra simply explains
information to the
machine, where the cable
and is not
essential to needs to be is. In the second
the plugged in. case, there is
sentence. probably only one
This is a cable and thus it
clause is enough to say
which “the cable”
without
explaining
further.
N.B.: A relative
clause beginning
with “that” is
considered
defining
(necessary) and
is used without
commas. The first
example here
could also read
begins with
“The cable that is
who, whose,
next to the
whom or
machine needs
which)
to be plugged
in.”
Accept the In the first, you
applicant are told which
4. Clarity using applicant to
(to increase procedure A. accept whereas
the clarity in in the second,
Accept the
possibly you are told how
applicant,
ambiguous
using to accept the
situations)
procedure A. applicant.
5. Lists I bought a A serial comma c
computer, a an be used to
(to separate
disk-drive, a separate the last
items in a
list) printer and a item in a list, as
CD burner. in the last two
sentences. Often,
The different
this is done in
colors were
green and order to avoid
blue, blue, misunderstandin
black and gs. The comma is
blue, and then placed
white. before the last
separating “and”
(see also Semi-
The book colons no.1)
contained an
interesting
chapter on
molecular
structure, a
comprehensi
ve list of
references,
and advice
on structure.
single,
variable
6. inputs…..
Adjective
separation a mobile, air-
operated
(to separate starter…
adjectives in
a series
unless the
but
adjectives
not:
belong
together)
bright, red
cables
Although it
has stopped
raining, I
don’t want to
go outside.
but:
I don’t want
to go outside
although it The dependent
has stopped
7. Complex clause comes
raining.
sentences first here and
thus is followed
(to link a
by a comma.
dependent When I leave
and an Chalmers, I When the
independent want to get a dependent clause
clause when good job. comes second, as
the but: in the second
dependent example, no
clause starts comma is used to
I want to get
the
a good job separate the two
sentence)
when I leave clauses.
Chalmers.
When writing
large numbers,
commas are used
to divide the
numbers into
groups of three.
However, often
no commas are
used at all but
separated with a
space so that the
3,657,435 numbers are
clearer
8.
internationally
Numbers
3 657 435
Semicolon
Use Examples Remarks
1.
Compound
sentences
(to connect
two
independent
This would work
phrases in a
sentence equally well as
where the Some two sentences
meaning is people work but ”flows”
closely best in the better when
connected mornings; connected as
and no others do they are so
coordinating
better in the closely linked in
conjunction is
used) evenings. meaning.
2. Longer This task It is up to the
lists involves writer to decide
reading whether
(to separate
through the commas or
long items in
a list. text; semi-colons are
Compare with answering needed, though
Commas no.4) the certainly if there
questions
with full,
clear
sentences;
comparing
your
answers
with your are commas
partner’s; within the list
and finally e.g. “full, clear
checking sentences” semi
them with -colons are
the answer clearer to avoid
key. confusion.
Colon
Use Examples Remarks
1. We need three Note here
Introducin kinds of support: that the
g a list economic, moral information
and political. before the
colon
should be a
The three kinds of full
support we need sentence
are: economic, when
moral and political. continuing
on the
This task involves: same line.
reading through the
text, answering the The second
questions with full sentence is
sentences, and not
comparing your possible.
sentences with your
partner’s etc.
This task involves
1. Reading Here capital
through letters are
the text often used
2. Answering if writing
full
sentences.
the
It is also
questions
possible to
with full
mark the
sentences
points with
3. Comparin
bullets or
g your
numbers to
sentences
make them
with your
clearer.
partner’s
etc.
2.
Introducin The phrase
ga after the
subdivisio Typical punctuation colon here
n of a problems: the is a
subject, comma subdivision
e.g. in a of the main
title subject.
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Chalmers skrivguide
Chalmers Writing Centre
Chalmers Writing Guide
o The pre-writing phase
o Presentations
o Writing a text
Document sections
Paragraphs
Sentences
Coherence & Cohesion
Punctuation
Style and Register
o Written Opposition
o Using information
o Pre-Submission
o Thesis and report writing
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