13.1 End Marks Using Periods Rule Use a period to end a declarative sentence a statement of fact or opinion.

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1 13.1 End Marks Using Periods Rule Use a period to end a declarative sentence a statement of fact or opinion. Rule Use a period to end most imperative sentences sentences that give directions or commands. Rule Use a period to end a sentence that contains an indirect question. An indirect question restates a question in a declarative sentence. It does not give the speakers exact word. Rule Use a period after most abbreviations and initials. Rule Do not use periods with acronyms, words formed with the first or first few letters of a series of words. Using Question Marks Rule Use a question mark after an interrogative sentence one that asks a direct question. Rule Use a question mark after a word or phrase that asks a question. 1

2 Using Exclamation Marks Rule Use an exclamation mark to end a word, phrase or sentence that shows strong emotion. Rule Use an exclamation mark after an imperative sentence that gives a forceful or urgent command. Rule Use an exclamation mark after an interjection that expresses strong emotion Commas Using Commas in Compound Sentences Rule Use a commas before the conjunction to separate two main or independent clauses in a compound sentence. Avoiding Comma Splices A comma splice occurs when two or more sentences have been joined with only a comma between them. Rule Avoid comma splices by making sure all your ideas are properly linked. Using Commas in a Series Rule Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases or clauses in a series. Exception do not use a comma to separate groups of words that are considered to be one item. 2

3 Using Commas Between Adjectives Rule Use commas to separate adjectives of equal rank. Rule Do not use commas to separate adjectives that must appear in a specific order. Rule Do not use a comma to separate the last adjective in a series from the noun it modifies. Using Commas After Introductory Words, Phrases or Clauses Rule Use comma after most introductory words, phrases or clauses. Using Commas With Parenthetical Expressions Rule Use commas to set off a parenthetical expression from the rest of the sentence. a parenthetical expression is a word or phrase that is not essential to the meaning of a sentence. Kinds of Parentheticals Names of People Being Addressed Certain Adverbs Common Expression Contrasting Expressions 3

4 Using Commas With Nonessential Expression Rule Use commas to set off nonessential expression from the main clause. Do not set off essential material with commas. Nonessential expression can be left out without changing the meaning of a sentence. Using Commas with Dates and Geographical Names Rule When a date is made up of three parts, use a comma after each item, except in the case of a month followed by a day. Date + year = no comma March 2015 Rule When a geographical name is made up of a city and a state, use a comma after each item. Using Commas with Numbers Rule with large numbers of more than three digits, count from the right and add a comma to the left of every third digit to separate it from every fourth digit. Rule Use commas with three or more numbers written in a series. Rule Do not use a comma with ZIP codes, telephone numbers, page numbers, years, serial numbers or house numbers. Using Commas with Addresses and Letters Rule Use a comma after each item in an address made up of two or more parts. Rule Use a comma after the salutation in a personal letter and after the closing in all letters. Using Commas with Direct Quotations Rule Use commas to set off a direct quotation from the rest of a sentence. 4

5 13.3 Semicolons and Colons Using Semicolons to Join Independent Clauses Rule Use a semicolon to join related independent clauses that are not joined by the conjunctions and, or, nor, for, but, so, or yet. Using Semicolons to Join Clauses Separated by Conjunctive Adverbs or Transitional Expressions Rule Use a semicolon to join independent clauses separated by either a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression. Using Semicolons to Avoid Confusion Rule Consider the use of semicolons to avoid confusion when items in a series already contain commas. Using Colons Rule Use a colon after an independent clause to introduce a list of items. Rule Do not use a colon after a verb or a preposition. Rule Use a colon to introduce a long formal question. 5