12 Basic Rules of Punctuation

1. Subordinating Conjunction – If a sentence begins with a SC, comma after the clause.

Example: After I go home, I will watch TV.

If the SC is in the second part of the sentence, do not use a comma.

Example: I will watch TV after I go home.

2. Conjunctive Adverb – Comma immediately after the CA.

Example: Last night we went to the movies. However, we will stay home tonight.

Comma on both sides of the CA if it interrupts a sentence.

Example: Last night we went to the movies. We will, however, stay home tonight.

3. Prepositional Phrase – If a sentence begins with a PP, comma after the phrase.

Example: After Monday, I will sleep late. If the PP comes in the second part, do not use a comma.

Example: I will sleep late after Monday.

4. Coordinating Conjunction – (FANBOYS_For- And -Nor –But- Or -Yet –So)

If there is a subject after the CC, comma before the CC.

Example: I went to the store, and I bought bread.

If there is no subject after the CC (FANBOY), do not add comma before the CC.

Example: I went to the store and bought bread.

5. Semicolon – Is used as a period in order to connect two main ideas.

Example: Last night we went to the movies; however, we will stay home tonight.

Last night we went to the movies; we will stay home tonight.

Last night we went to the movies; we will, however, stay home tonight.

Semicolon – Is used to separate items in a series when one or more than one of the items has a comma.

We will order the following: pencils, for the tutoring center; paper; and pens.

6. Colon – Signals the beginning of a list.

Example: We will order the following: pencils, paper, and pens.

7. Correlative Conjunctions – Is a relationship between items in a specific part of speech.

Example: Not only Sally but also Henry will go.

I will do it for either Sally or Bill.

I will do it for not only Sally but also for Bill.