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Punctuation

• Comma
  General Rules
  Series
  Titles, Addresses, Dates
  Dependent Phrases and Clauses
  
• Semicolon
• Colon
• Period
• Exclamation Point
• Question Mark
• Apostrophe
• Hyphen
• Dash
• Parentheses
• Brackets
• Quotation Marks
  General Rules
• Ellipsis Points
• Citing Sources

With desktop publishing, you can control the quality of punctuation marks to produce professional looking, more readable text like professional typesetters used to do. Most computer applications allow us to do more than we could ever do with a typewriter. We no longer need to substitute inch marks for quotation marks, foot marks for apostrophes, double hyphens for dashes, and periods for ellipsis points. For more information about giving your text a professional look, see the chapter on “Copy Preparation for Layout” chapter.

1. In a compound sentence, use a comma before a conjunction joining two independent clauses.
   
   

   The instructor explained the assignment, but the students did not understand what to do.

   
   
2. Use commas to separate coordinate adjectives. Coordinate adjectives are two or more adjectives that each modify a single noun. If the first adjective modifies the idea of the second adjective and noun combined, do not use a comma. (In general, a comma is needed where the word and could be used.)
   
   

   	Sandra wrote an outstanding, informative paper.
   	Sandra wrote an outstanding term paper.

   
   
3. Use commas to set off interjections, transitional adverbs, and similar elements.
   
   

   	Yes, the story is true.
   	Indeed, the professor knew the problem existed.

   
   
4. Use commas to set off words in direct address.
   
   

   Colleagues, I have new enrollment figures for you.

   
   
5. Use a comma to prevent a junction that could be misunderstood.
   
   

   To John, Ed was the most talented student in the class.

   
   
6. To avoid confusion, separate identical or similar words with a comma or rewrite the sentence.
   
   

   Whatever is, is correct.

   
   
7. When the context calls for a comma at the end of material enclosed in quotation marks, parentheses, or brackets, place the comma inside quotation marks but outside parentheses and brackets.
   
   

   	Read Professor Miller’s remarks on “political activity,” which may be found in his most recent book.
   	Professor Johnson spoke about her sabbatical (spent in the British Isles), and the audience seemed to be intrigued.

   
   

1. In a series of three or more words or phrases, separate all parts of the series with commas.
   
   

   Writing the report were Miller, Edson, and Thomas.

   
   
2. If the parts in a series are simple and are joined by conjunctions, do not use commas. (Commas are sometimes used in such cases for rhetorical effect.)
   
   

   The menu listed a choice of soup or juice or salad.

   
   
3. When etc. is used at the end of a series (it should be used sparingly), set it off with commas.
   
   

   The students sold homemade bread, candy, cake, etc., to pay for their trip.

   
   

1. Use commas to set off a title following a name.
   
   

   Mary Stephens, special assistant to the dean, wrote the report.

   
   
2. Use commas to set off individual parts of addresses and names of geographical places and political divisions.
   
   

   	John Blake lives at 1222 Juneau Avenue, Ellendale, Pennsylvania, in a large colonial house.
   	The fieldwork was done in Tel Aviv, Israel, under the supervision of several University faculty members.

   
   
3. Use commas around the year when it follows a specific date; do not use commas around the year when it is used with the month or season alone.
   
   

   	The committee agreed on December 12, 1979, as the next meeting date.
   	The report was issued in July 1975 and revised in spring 1979.

1. When a dependent clause following a main clause is restrictive, do not set off the clause with a comma. When a dependent clause is nonrestrictive, set off the clause with a comma.
   
   

   	The dean was surprised when he heard about the proposal.
   	The dean voted for the amendment, although she knew it would be defeated.

   
   
2. Use a comma after a dependent clause that precedes the main clause.
   
   

   When she returned to school, Ann changed her major from history to sociology.

   
   
3. Use a comma after an introductory adverbial phrase unless it is very short or immediately precedes the verb it modifies.
   
   

   	After attending class, John outlined the lecture material.
   	On Friday the class will meet later than usual.
   	Across the hall stood the instructor.

   
   
4. Use commas to set off an adverbial phrase placed between the subject and the verb.
   
   

   Johnson, after typing the paper, returned to the library.

   
   
5. If an adjectival phrase or clause is restrictive, do not set it off with commas. If the phrase or clause is nonrestrictive, set it off with commas.
   
   

   	The book that was assigned was not available. (answers the question which book?)
   	The book, which had been ordered late, did not arrive in time. (the only book in question)

   
   
6. Use a comma after an introductory participial phrase unless it immediately precedes (and forms part of) the verb.
   
   

   	Learning from the experience, the professor used fewer technical terms in her second presentation.
   	Sitting in class was the professor’s dog.

   
   
7. Use commas to set off a word, phrase, or clause that is in apposition to a noun unless it is necessary to complete the meaning of the sentence.
   
   

   	Her report, an analytical approach to the topic, was well received.
   	St. Paul, Minnesota, is on the Mississippi River.
   	We could not reach Miller, former director of the institute, for comment.
   	His son, Mike, was late. (his only son)
   	Her son Mike was elected president. (one of two or more sons)

   
   
8. When two or more complementary or antithetical phrases refer to a single word, use commas to separate them from each other and from the following word unless the interruption in thought is minor; in such cases commas are unnecessary.
   
   

   	The accurate, though at times too detailed, report was accepted by the faculty.
   	The second course was as good as, if not better than, the first.
   	It was a masterful if not brilliant performance.

   
   
9. Use a comma after the expressions that is, namely, i.e., and e.g. The punctuation preceding such expressions is determined by the strength of the break in continuity. Use a comma if the break is minor. If the break is substantial, use a semicolon or dash or enclose the expression and the element it introduces in parentheses.
   
   

   	The chairperson asked two departments, namely, French and sociology, to submit proposals.
   	The department is unattached; i.e., it is not administered by one of the schools or colleges.
   	Most committee members—that is, those who were willing to speak out—wanted to reject the plan.

   
   

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1. Use a semicolon between two independent clauses when they are not connected by a conjunction.
   
   

   Mary read and edited the manuscript; Pat retyped it.

   
   
2. Then, however, thus, hence, indeed, and therefore are adverbs rather than conjunctions and should be preceded by a semicolon when used as a transition between the clauses of a compound sentence.
   
   

   The students are planning a study trip to Asia this spring; however, they have no idea of the expense of such a project.

   
   
3. If the clauses of a compound sentence are long or are subdivided by commas, use a semicolon between clauses even if they are joined by a conjunction.
   
   

   Jennifer, who had decided to rewrite the report as soon as possible, began to solicit support for the project; but the other students were not anxious to help.

   
   
4. Separate items in a series with semicolons if the items are long or complex or have internal punctuation. Such a series should follow, not precede, the verb; rearrange the sentence if necessary.
   
   

   The representatives to the committee were John O’Reilly and Sally Salerno, College of Pharmacy; Ann Garcia and Tim Chan, Institute of Technology; and Joan Anderson and Bob Layton, College of Liberal Arts.

   
   
5. Use a semicolon to separate references when one or more of the references has internal punctuation.
   
   

   	Rom. 2:3–5; 4:5–9
   	Update 2:3; 3:4

   
   
6. Place the semicolon outside quotation marks or parentheses.
   
   

   	Joe said, “Soup is on”; however, no one was hungry.
   	The instructor repeated her request (for volunteers at the blackboard); however, the class still would not respond.

1. Use a colon to introduce a formal statement or a speech in dialogue.
   
   

   	The rule is this: Be sure to…
   	John: I must see Professor Jones today.

   
   
2. Use a colon to introduce a list or a series.
   
   

   The menu lists three kinds of soup: onion, vegetable, and mushroom.

   
   
3. Use a colon after the terms as follows and the following if they are followed directly by the illustrating material or if the introductory clause is incomplete without the material. If the introductory statement is complete and is followed by other complete sentences, use a period.
   
   

   	The rules are as follows: 1. Do not consult the textbook. 2. Do not…
   	The following rules will apply. Be sure to read them carefully.

   
   
4. Use a colon with no spaces to separate chapter and verse in scriptural references, hour and minutes in time references, and volume and page number in bibliographical references.
   
   

   	Mark 3:8–16
   	3:30 p.m.
   	J. Minn. Acad. Sci. 41:28–30

   
   
5. Place colons outside quotation marks or parentheses.
   
   

   The menu lists three selections (for appetizers): fruit cup, soup, or juice.

   
   

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1. Use a period at the end of a declarative or imperative sentence.
   
   

   	Homecoming was a success.
   	Stay for the game.

   
   
2. Do not use a period at the end of a sentence that is contained within another sentence.
   
   

   	The homecoming float (I saw it behind the fraternity house) was elaborate.
   	Her plea, “Consult the faculty first,” went unheeded.

   
   
3. When parentheses or brackets enclose an independent sentence, place the period inside. When the enclosed matter is part of another sentence, place the period outside the parentheses.
   
   

   	The instructor repeated the lecture. (I heard it last week.)
   	The instructor repeated the lecture (the one about solar collectors).

   
   
4. In all cases, place the period within quotation marks.
   
   

   The dean said, “The college will limit enrollment beginning this spring.”

   
   
5. Do not use a period after items in a vertical list unless the items are complete sentences. Use a period after numerals or letters enumerating items in a vertical list.
   
   

   	1. Pick up registration materials.	a. workshops
   	2. Reserve courses.	b. seminars

   
   

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1. Use exclamation points sparingly. They indicate emphatic or emotional statements; do not use them to provide the emphasis.
   
   

   	Stand back!
   	I don’t believe it!

   
   
2. Place the exclamation point inside quotation marks or parentheses when it is a part of quoted or parenthetical matter; otherwise, place it outside.
   
   

   	The police officer shouted, “Stop that car!”
   	The instructor said the class would meet even in “unbearably cold weather”!

1. Use the question mark to indicate a query or to express editorial doubt.
   
   

   	Where is Eddy Hall?
   	Dean Johnson (1890?–1965) retired in 1959.

   
   
2. Place the question mark inside quotation marks or parentheses only when it is a part of quoted or parenthetical matter. Do not add other marks of punctuation when part of a sentence follows a question enclosed in quotation marks.
   
   

   	Miller asked, “Where is Dean Lewis’s report?”
   	Have you read Robert Frost’s poem “Home Burial”?
   	Why did the report not arrive until yesterday (October 3)?
   	“Where are you going?” she asked. (not “Where are you going?,” she asked.)

1. Use the apostrophe to form possessives and to form the plurals of some letters and numbers used as words. (See “Spelling” chapter.)
   
   
2. Use the apostrophe to show omitted letters (as in contractions) or figures.
   
   

   	rock ’n’ roll
   	can’t
   	class of ’77

   
   
3. Use the apostrophe in certain coined expressions.
   
   

   	DFL’er
   	4-H’er

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1. Use an em dash or a pair of em dashes to indicate a sudden break in thought that causes an abrupt change in sentence structure.
   
   

   	Will Jeff—can Jeff—continue the speech?
   	Believability—that was all his tale lacked.

   
   
2. Use an em dash to set off an emphatic or explanatory phrase that occurs in the main clause of a sentence.
   
   

   Sue wrote for several hours—hours spent alone in the library—before she finished the report.

   
   
3. Use an en dash to indicate continuing dates and times.
   
   

   	1972–74
   	9–11 a.m.

   
   
4. Use an en dash to indicate a concluding date in the future.
   
   

   Miriam Larson (1936– )

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1. Use parentheses to set off explanatory information that does not have a close relationship to the rest of the sentence.
   
   

   The argument between Harris and Johnson (Professor Milton had already predicted the problem) centered around one crucial point in the report.

   
   
2. Use parentheses to enclose letters and numerals indicating divisions that run into the text. Number only long or complex divisions.
   
   

   The report included information on (1) the task force meetings, held between August 15, 1976, and March 15, 1977; (2)...

   
   

BRACKETS

1. Use brackets to enclose editorial comments, corrections, or explanations.
   
   

   Many of them [the candidates] questioned the use of the new center for nongovernmental functions. “A candlelight vigil was held at Northrop”

   
   
2. Use brackets to enclose the phonetic spelling of a word.
   
   

   Mark was a master of savoir faire [så-vwår-fâr'].

   
   
3. Use brackets to enclose the phrases To be continued and Continued from.
   
   

   [Continued from page 12]

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1. Reproduce exactly a direct quotation from a written source, including spelling, capitalization, and punctuation, even if they are incorrect. Use the word sic in brackets following a word that is misspelled, misused, or used in an uncommon sense in the original text to indicate that you have intentionally retained the use. Correct obvious typographical errors from modern sources.
   
   
2. Enclose in brackets any insertions made to clarify the meaning or to provide a word or letter missing from the original. Such insertions should be made only for editorial clarification. Never insert any other type of parenthetical information that is not part of the quotation.
   
   

   “Bernie Bierman died today,” he announced. Bierman, known as the Gray Eagle, was a familiar figure to local sports fans.

   not

   “Bernie Bierman [known as the Gray Eagle] died today,” he announced.

   
   
3. The first letter of a quotation may be changed to a capital or lowercase letter and the final punctuation mark may be changed to make a quotation fit the syntax of the text in which it is being used.
   
   
4. Enclose short quotations (fewer than 8 or 10 typed lines) in quotation marks and run them into the text. Set off long quotations in block form in smaller type, or indent them, or both.
   
   
5. Do not set off block quotations with quotation marks. Use regular quotation marks (not single quotation marks) for a quotation within a block quotation.
   
   
6. When quoting two or more paragraphs, indicate the author’s paragraphing by indenting the first line of each paragraph or by leaving extra space between paragraphs.
   

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General Rules for Quotation Marks

1. Use quotation marks around a direct quotation (around each part of the quotation if it is interrupted). Separate the quotation from other parts of the sentence with commas if it is a complete statement. If the quotation is the subject of a sentence, or if it constitutes an integral part of the sentence, do not set it off with commas.
   
   

   	“I’ll turn in my paper,” Ann said to the instructor, “as soon as my brother brings it to campus.”
   	“ Without a doubt” was the answer.
   	He said he was “excited and bewildered” about the appointment.

   
   
2. Place a comma or period following a quotation or part of a quotation inside the quotation marks. Place other punctuation marks according to whether they are part of the quotation. (See individual punctuation sections for the mark in question.)
   
   
3. Do not use quotation marks around indirect quotations, proverbial sayings and figures of speech, the words yes and no used alone, or University course titles.
   
   

   	He said the lecture was interesting.
   	She was not convinced that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
   	I wanted him to come along, but he said no.
   	She registered for Modern Applied Algebra spring semester.

   
   
4. Use single quotation marks for quotations within quotations and for quotations in headlines in newspapers and other publications.
   
   

   	“‘ To thine own self be true,’ Polonius told Hamlet, and I pass the advice on to you,” said the instructor to the class.
   	‘It’s Time to Retire,’ Declares Stillwater Mayor

   
   
5. For a quotation that runs more than one paragraph, use quotation marks at the beginning of each paragraph and at the end of the final paragraph (i.e., do not use quotation marks at the end of any except the final paragraph).
   
   
6. See “Italics and Quotation Marks” chapter for special uses of quotation marks and for their use with the titles of works.
   

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1. Use ellipsis points to show the omission of words, phrases, or lines from quoted material. Use a period followed by ellipsis points to indicate the omission of the last part of the quoted sentence or the first part of the next sentence. Use a period followed by ellipsis points only after a grammatically complete sentence. Do not change lowercase letters to capitals or vice versa in the middle of quoted material. When what remains is not grammatically complete, leave out the period.
   
   

   	Students who wish to enter courses that have filled early should place their names on the official waiting list. In the event of cancellations, those students will be accommodated first.
   	Students…should place their names on the official waiting list.…those students will be accommodated first.

   
   
2. Retain a question mark or exclamation point used in place of a period.
   
   

   	“Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio—a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.”
   	“ Alas, poor Yorick!…a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.”

   
   
3. Retain other punctuation marks if they help convey the meaning of the sentence; drop them if they might be confusing to the reader.
   
   

   	The instructor read from the works of Fielding, Austen, the Brontës, Dickens, Thackeray, Hardy, and other novelists. They had at least one thing in common: all were British.
   	The instructor read from the works of Fielding, Austen,…and other novelists.…all were British.

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1. Cite the source of a quotation in a note or footnote, in a parenthetical reference to the bibliography, or in the text. Use the complete citation for the first reference to a particular work, and use a consistently shortened version for subsequent references. (See “Parts of a Publication” chapter).
   
   
2. In a work with no footnotes or bibliography and only a few quotations, give complete source information after each quotation. Use ibid. in parentheses following a consecutive reference to the same source in the next page or two of text.
   
   

   (ibid., page 129)

   
   
3. To avoid repeating ibid. in text for several consecutive references to the same work, list only page or line number, act and scene, or other identifying element in parentheses following each quotation.
   
   
4. For a quotation run into the text, cite the source in parentheses following the final quotation mark. If the quotation ends the sentence, place the final period after the citation, even if the quotation itself ends with a question mark or exclamation point. (Or rewrite the sentence so the quotation does not end the sentence.)
   
   Richard III, fleeing from his enemies, cries, “A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!” (act 5, scene 4).
   
   
5. For a block quotation, cite the source in brackets (preferred) or in parentheses (in a work with many references to the same source, some run into the text and some set off) following the quotation. Place such a citation after the terminal punctuation. The citation itself does not require a final period; if one is used, place it within the brackets.
   

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