Handy Punctuation Reference | Last Updated 8/28/2002 by Henri Dongieux
Handy Punctuation Reference
This handout presents somebut not allof the rules.
Period
Rule Example
At the end of sentences John has the measles.
After initials and abbreviations Dr. Jones., Ph.D.
· After numbers and as a decimal point 1., 2., 3., … .5, 1.5
Question Mark
Rule Example
At the end of direct questions What is he doing?
But NOT after indirect questions He asked what it was.
Exclamation Point
Rule Example
After emphatic statements Help! Be careful!
Comma
Rule Example
To separate two main clauses joined by We rushed to the station, but the train had
coordinating conjunctions: already left.
(for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
To separate a dependent clause from a main If it is a nice day on Saturday, I will go to the
clause when the dependent clause precedes football game.
the main clause. Note: There is no comma
when the clause order is reversed. I will go to the football game if it is a nice day
on Saturday.
To set off interrupting statements I know, of course, that you are studyi ng. He is,
I believe, the worst player on the team.
To set off clauses beginning with who, whom, Mr. Jones, who lives on Market Street, crashed
or which (relative clauses) when they are not into a telephone pole while driving 90 miles per
absolutely necessary to identify or specify a hour.
particular person or thing. Note: Clauses which
The car that he was driving before the accident
begin with the word that usually are essential
was demolished.
in identifying such person or things; therefore
they are not usually set off by commas.
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Handy Punctuation Reference | Last Updated 8/28/2002 by Henri Dongieux
Comma (continued)
Rule Example
To set off an unnecessary restatement of Mr. Smith, my father, is the man wearing the
someone’s name (an appositive). hat.
After introductory words such as yes, no, first, Yes, I’d like to go.
second, however, and so on.
To set off nouns in direct address. Mrs. Smith, have you visited the art museum?
Have you heard, class, that the assignment is
easy?
In direct quotations “I understand,” he said, “that you intend to go
to France.”
In dates, between the day and the year November 1, 1985
Between cities and states He lives in Wilmington, Delaware
To separate words in a series I want milk, bread, butter, and cheese. He
hoped that the war would end, that the crime
rate would drop, and that his personal
problems would be solved.
Apostrophe
Rule Example
Omission of letters, as in contractions He’s (he is), don’t (do not),
we’re (we are), it’s (it is)
To show plurals of letter and numbers (or 3’s; blizzard of ’89, cross your t’s and dot your
omission of numbers) or words used as words i’s around here
To show that a word is given a loose, or “None o’ the boys is goin’ t’ be sick,” he said.
colloquial, pronunciation
When no confusion results, use either ‘s or s to Count to 10,000 by 2’s (or by 2s).
form plurals such as the following: 1900’s or 1900s.
To show singular possession: Examples:
1. Add ‘s to singular nouns 1. Harry’s book, sisters’s boyfriend
2. Add ‘s to indefinite pronouns (anybody, 2. Anybody’s lesson, somebody’s car,
somebody, everyone) everyone’s feelings
3. Add ‘ to proper singular nouns ending in s 3. Keats’ poem, Ms. Evans’ house
4. Add ‘s to only the last word in singular 4. Her mother-in-law’s hats
compound nouns
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Handy Punctuation Reference | Last Updated 8/28/2002 by Henri Dongieux
Apostrophe (continued)
Rule Example
To show plural possession: Examples:
1. Add only the ‘ to plural nouns ending in s 1. The girls’ coats, the boys’ shoes
2. Add ‘s to plural nouns not ending in s 2. The men’s hate, the children’s toys
3. Add ‘ only to the last word in plural 3. The Dean of Students’ Office, the Vice
compound nouns that end in s President of Legal Affairs’ speech
Note: For plural compound nouns, add ‘s to the last Mother-in-law’s opinions,
word of the compound noun. son-in-law’s tricks.
To show other possession: Examples:
1. Add ‘s when indicating individual ownership 1. Mary’s and Jane’s books, Jim’s and Bob’s
or two or more individuals. houses
2. Add ‘ only to the final name when indicating 2. Mary and Jane’s book
joint ownership. Bill and Ted’s adventure
3. Use both of and ‘ to show possession 3. An old hat of Tom’s
among several of the same kind. A new dress of Jane’s
4. Do not use ‘ with the possessive form of 4. His father
personal pronouns. The personal A book of hers
pronouns his, hers, theirs, its, our, yours, A friend of theirs
and the pronoun whose are possessives as Its nest
they stand and do not require the Our home
apostrophe The book of yours
5. Do not confuse the possessive pronoun 5. Who’s coming to dinner? Whose plate is
whose with the contraction who’s (who is). this?
6. Do not confuse the possessive pronoun its 6. We know it’s a robin. We couldn’t find its
with the contraction it’s (it is). nest.
Quotation Mark
Rule Example
The exact words of a speaker “Let’s go there next week,” he said.
An interrupted quotation “Okay,” yelled the crook, “hands up!”
Titles of poems, songs, stories, chapters, “Rip van Winkle”
articles
Colon
Rule Example
After the greeting on a business letter Dear Sir:
To introduce a list The following items are needed:
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Handy Punctuation Reference | Last Updated 8/28/2002 by Henri Dongieux
Semicolon
Rule Example
To separate two closely related independent One is small; the other is large.
clauses which do not have any other joining
word
In compound sentences before such words as Our plane was three hours late; consequently,
furthermore, however, nevertheless, therefore, we did not arrive on time.
consequently, and so on (transition words).
Hyphen
Rule Example
To express the idea of a unit I double-parked (verb).
He owns a well-built house (adjective).
To avoid ambiguity Re-sign the petition
(compare to resign from office)
If you must break the word at the end of a line, In spite of the heat this summer, enthusi-
use a hyphen between syllables. astic spectators flocked to games in droves.
Dash
Rule Example
To show a sudden break in thought The sunwhich is nearbyisn’t that large.
To show emphasis before an appositive Money, fame, powernone of these things are
important without health.
Underlining
Rule Example
Titles of magazines, newspapers, books, He likes to read The New York Times.
movies, and plays
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