chapter 8: punctuation - 9 basic rules
Punctuation is the
use of conventional (and agreed-upon) marks to guide readers through
our written text. We begin with a common set of simple rules for
punctuation based on the concepts that we have discussed throughout
this textbook. In other words, we believe that punctuating sentences
should always be based on an understanding that sentences are always
made up of clauses, phrases, and words. We have organized our basic
punctuation rules with this in mind.
To begin, we believe that punctuation, despite its clear rules, is
also rhetorical, so we don’t consider these rules as wholly prescriptive
(or “written in stone”). Punctuation should also be understood in context. The
rules described below are by no means comprehensive, but we believe
that these basic rules will cover 90% of the writing that you do,
and understanding them will help you make considered choices for the
other 10%, as well as for other stylistic choices. In other words, these
9 Basic Rules of Punctuation should serve as a starting point for
understanding the ways that punctuation can be considered a rhetorical
choice.
Rule 1 – Independent clause. Independent clause.
Example: The telephone rang. He rushed to answer it.
- The period (or end punctuation) is the punctuation mark identified by this rule.
A period is an end stop and the primary marker for separating independent clauses. So any time that you see a period, you should identify it as Rule 1. And nothing else. This would also include other end punctuation, such as the question mark and the exclamation point. Rule 1.
Rule 2 – Independent clause; independent clause.
Example: The dog barked; the letter carrier ran.
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The semicolon is the punctuation mark identified by this rule.
A semicolon can act like a soft period and separate independent clauses.
Rule 3 – Independent clause; conjunctive adverb, independent clause.
Example: Parking is scarce; therefore, many drivers park illegally.
Example (variation): Parking is scarce; many drivers, therefore, park illegally.
- The semicolon and comma surrounding the conjunctive adverb are the punctuation marks identified by this rule.
While Rule 2 is a semicolon that separates independent clauses, Rule 3 separates independent clauses with a conjunctive adverb. If a conjunctive adverb is not present, then it is NOT Rule 3. But Rule 3 requires two forms of punctuation: the semicolon after the first independent clause, and before the conjunctive adverb, and a comma after the conjunctive adverb, which signals the beginning of the next independent clause. Remember, as an adverb, the conjunctive adverb can move around in the second independent clause, but the semicolon still signals the end of the first independent clause.
Rule 4 – Independent clause, coordinating conjunction independent clause.
Example: Jenny ran to first base, but the shortstop threw her out.
- The comma preceding the coordinating conjunction is the punctuation mark identified by this rule.
A coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) when preceded by a comma is a KEY MARKER for independent clauses. Remember, a coordinating conjunction ALWAYS coordinates like items. In this rule, the coordinating conjunction coordinates independent clauses. As coordinated clauses, it’s important to remember that the comma always occurs before the coordinator.
Rule 5 – Dependent clause, independent clause.
Example: When the clock struck twelve, the mouse ran down.
- The comma following the dependent clause is the punctuation mark identified by this rule.
When a dependent clause precedes an independent clause, you signal the end of the dependent clause with a comma. While this occurs most commonly at the beginning of a sentence, with (normally) an adverbial subordinate clause occupying the introductory position, followed by an independent clause, this pattern can happen anywhere in a sentence. So this introductory clause (or concluding clause) should be punctuated as a non-restrictive clause.
Rule 5A (variation) – Independent clause dependent clause.
Example: The mouse ran down when the clock struck twelve.
Example (variation): The mouse ran down, when the clock struck twelve.
- The comma following the independent clause (or not) is the punctuation mark identified by this variation of the rule.
A variation on Rule 5 is when a dependent clause follows an independent clause without punctuation. Because this dependent clause is adverbial (most often a subordinate clause), it is not the same thing as a restrictive clause, and for this reason, when a dependent clause follows an independent clause, convention does not require a comma to separate the clauses. However, stylistically, you can make a choice to use a comma to separate the clauses for a variety of reasons: pace, emphasis, non-restriction, etc. Using a comma to separate an independent clause from a dependent clause in this context is not grammatically incorrect.
Rule 6 – Adverbial nonfinite verb phrase or prepositional phrase, independent clause.
Example: To do well in school, you must study hard.
Example: For success in school, you must study hard.
Example: You must study hard, for perceived success in school.
- The comma following the adverbial phrase is the punctuation mark identified by this rule.
Similar to the introductory clause, an adverbial nonfinite verb phrase or prepositional phrase in an introductory position normally calls for the use a comma to separate it from the independent clause. It is important, however, that you recognize the difference between an introductory adverbial clause (Rule 5) and an introductory adverbial phrase (Rule 6). While some offer a word-count rule for this introductory phrase (i.e., “Use a comma to separate an introductory phrase that is more than four words long”), the most effective (and most grammatical), is to get into the habit of using a comma whenever you use an introductory adverbial nonfinite verb phrase or prepositional phrase. Similarly, if an adverbial non-finite verb phrase or prepositional phrase concludes a sentence, the phrase can be preceded by a comma.
Rule 7 – Independent, nonrestrictive dependent clause or
phrase, clause. OR – nonrestrictive clause or phrase – OR
(nonrestrictive clause or phrase)
Example: Subordinate clauses, because they are adverbial, or non-restrictive, can move about in a sentence.
Example: Jane’s father, who is in his eighties, is an octogenarian.
Example: Jane’s father – well into his eighties – is an octogenarian.
Example: Jane’s father (pushing ninety) is an octogenarian.
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The paired commas (or dashes or parentheses) around the non-restrictive phrase/clause are the punctuation marks identified by this rule.
A non-restrictive clause or phrase, in contrast to restrictive, is
extra or supplemental information. Since this information is not
required, you signal its supplemental status with paired commas (placing
a comma before and after the non-restrictive clause or phrase) or
paired dashes or parentheses.
This rule applies to all dependent clauses, including
non-restrictive adjectival relative clauses or nominal clauses, but the
adverbial subordinate clause is the most common, since it can move
about in a sentence. This means that if you place a subordinate clause
between the subject and the main verb phrase of another clause, you
must set it apart with paired commas (a comma before and after the
subordinate clause).
Finally, a stylistic consideration is the use of different
punctuation marks that function like a set of paired commas. While
paired commas is the accepted and conventional mark, you can also use a
double dash or a parentheses to achieve the same effect. Which set of
marks you use should be a considered choice, as each can serve
different ends for guiding your readers through your text.
Rule 8 – Independent clause: (to introduce a list or a restatement of the previous clause)
Example: The girl’s life was extremely hectic: school, work, caregiving, and studying.
Example: The girl’s life was extremely hectic: mornings
were spent in school; afternoons were spent at work; evenings were
spent taking care of her invalid grandmother; and nights were spent
studying.
Example: The girl’s life was extremely hectic: she was on the move constantly from morning to night.
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The colon is the punctuation mark identified by this rule.
A colon most commonly signals a list or restatement of an independent clause.
Rule 9 – Commas in a series
Example: The girl’s life was extremely hectic: school, work, caregiving, and studying.
Example: The girl’s life was extremely hectic: mornings
were spent in school; afternoons were spent at work; evenings were
spent taking care of her invalid grandmother; and nights were spent
studying.
-
All commas in the series are the punctuation marks identified by this rule.
In a list or series (words, phrases or clauses, you
separate simple items using commas, and separate complex items (such as
a list of clauses following a colon) using semicolons.
As we said, these rules by no means cover all possibilities for punctuation in the English language, but they will probably cover 90% percent of them. More importantly, they are adaptable and offer a base for punctuating effectively.