Summary

1.

Punctuation--primarily commas but including other marks such as semicolons, colons, dashes, and parentheses--is essential for sorting our ideas into easily understood units of thought.

2.

Commas are the most-used punctuation mark, after end punctuation such as periods. The Big Three categories for comma usage are: 1) Commas that introduce a main clause; 2) Commas that mark non-essential word groups; 3) Commas that divide main clauses.

3.

Commas can also be used when we have: items in a series, coordinate adjectives, contrasting expressions, misleading expressions, and numbers, addresses, place names, dates and direct address.

4.

Commas are often used unnecessarily. Avoid using commas when they would separate a subject from its verb or object, or when they would separate compound constructions.

5.

We use semicolons in two ways: to divide (or link) main clauses without using a coordinating conjunction (and/but) and to separate word groups in a series that contains commas.

6.

The colon has three primary uses: to begin a formal list (as it does in this sentence), to separate closely related main clauses (as does the semicolon), and to mark a formal appositive (non-essential describing word or phrase) at the end of a sentence.

7.

The dash is a versatile punctuation mark that can help writers in several ways. To list just a few examples, a dash can: set off a series that begins a sentence, indicate an abrupt break in thought within a sentence, or emphasize a word or word group at the end of a sentence.

8.

Parentheses are generally used to add non-essential material to a main clause.

9.

Quotation marks are used primarily to enclose spoken and written words.

10.

Apostrophes have two primary functions: they mark the omission of letters in contractions and show ownership.

11.

Capitalize proper names--specific, unique individuals or things--and words derived from them.

12.

Hyphens are used to join words and show where words are divided into syllables.

13.

Underlining and italicizing serve to draw the reader's attention to certain words or phrases. The names of books, plays and long poems should be italicized.

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