Punctuation
Wednesday, 05 March 2025 11:16
What is punctuation?
• The act or practice of inserting standardized marks or signs in written matter to clarify the meaning and separate structural units (Merriam-
Webster Dictionary).
• Punctuation can make a significant difference in the meaning of whatever it is you are writing. Proper punctuation can make or break even a
well-constructed sentence.
• Using the correct punctuation can enhance the quality of your ideas and enable them to be communicated with precision and clarity.
Commas:
• Indicate a separation of ideas or elements within the structure of a sentence.
• Commas are used to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses (sentence parts) in a series.
We ate fish, chips, and ice cream.
• Commas are used after an introductory dependent clause (a group of words before the subject of a sentence that do not form a complete
sentence).
Because we had not done our prescribed reading, we failed the test miserably.
• Commas indicate that introductory words and phrases moved from the end of the sentence.
After the storm, everything looked different.
• Commas are used between independent clauses (complete sentences) joined by a coordinating conjunction: for, and, nor, but, so, or, yet.
My family went to watch the soccer, but I stayed at home to do my assignment.
• Commas often set off nonessential phrases or clauses (phrases that can be removed without changing the sentences overall meaning) or
appositives (words or phrases that rename a noun).
My cousin, who recently joined the navy, is my confidant.
• Commas separate paired adjectives that describe a noun. You need a comma between adjectives that could go in any order - they're not
cumulative and could be separated by the word "and". Do not use a comma between adjectives that need to be in a particular order.
They served hot, delicious curry at the wedding. They served steaming hot samoosas at the reception.
Quotation Marks:
• Show the beginning and the end of a quotation.
Leah said, "I will pass every module this year."
• Do not use quotation marks around a paraphrase or summary.
Leah said that she would pass every module this year.
• Place full stops and commas inside quotation marks.
Nondo advised Leah, "When you have work to do, stop wasting your time watching videos.
• Place question marks or exclamation points inside the quotation marks if they punctuate the quotation only.
Professor King asked, "Is your failure due to you reading of summaries instead of reading the actual book?"
• If the quote does not include a question or exclamation, but the sentence itself is asking a question or exclaiming the question mark or
exclamation point sits outside of the quotation marks.
What did Professor King mean by, "Is your failure due to your reading of summaries instead of reading the actual books"?
Apostrophes:
• Show possession, add an apostrophe and an s to singular nouns or indefinite pronouns.
Lihle's car; Ravi's laptop; Thabo's book; It is anyone's guess; the dance's beat.
• Add only an apostrophe for plural possessive nouns ending in s. The musicians' drum kit; my parents car.
Remember that the apostrophe placement depends on whether there is more than one noun: student's books (one student). Student's books ( more
than one student).
• Do not use an apostrophe with possessive personal pronouns. His, hers, ours, theirs, its
• Apostrophes are also used in contractions (two words which have been combined into one) to mark where the missing letter or letters would
be. I am = I'm.