Punctuation Formulas Formula Definition Explanation Example S, conj S sentence comma Place a comma before a coordinating The situation is dangerous, but there is still conjunction sentence conjunction when two related independent one way to escape. clauses (complete sentences) are to be joined (compound sentence) as one sentence. Two independent clauses cannot be joined using only a comma. A, B, conj C verb (phrase) comma verb In a series of three or more verbs or nouns He opened the letter, read it, and made a note (phrase) comma (phrases), use a comma after each term of its contents. conjunction verb (phrase) before the conjunction. OR She ate an apple, banana, and an orange. noun (phrase) comma noun (phrase) comma conjunction noun (phrase) A, B, C noun adjective comma adjective In a series of three or more adjectives Please do not be a mean, inconsiderate, selfish comma adjective noun modifying a single noun, place a comma after person. each adjective except the last adjective. NP, APP, noun phrase comma An appositive is a parenthetical expression My brother, a well-known architect, is working appositive comma placed between commas after a noun. It on plans for a new museum. provides more information about that noun. He is playing the guitar, my favorite *An appositive may be placed at the end of a instrument. sentence, and it is set off by a single comma. Cor S, Cor S correlative sentence, Use correlative conjunctions to join two Either he is going to eat pizza for lunch, or he is correlative sentence independent sentences which each begin with going to be very hungry. a correlative conjunction. Place a comma after the first independent sentence before the second correlative conjunction. S; S sentence semicolon This may be used when two independent It is almost sunset; we cannot reach our sentence clauses (complete sentences) are related in destination before dark. topic. Two independent clauses cannot be joined by using only a comma. A semicolon takes the place of a comma and a conjunction. LB, S left branch comma The “left branch” is a subordinate clause and Even though Joe is hungry, he does not want to sentence depends on the rest of the sentence in order eat the hamburger. to be considered complete. An independent clause (complete sentence) follows the left Because she woke up late, Emily was tardy to branch (subordinate clause) and comma. school. Punctuation Formulas Formula Definition Explanation Example S; SC, S sentence semicolon This is another way to combine related He did poorly in Algebra this year; therefore, sentence connector comma sentences. Two independent clauses are he will have to repeat the course. sentence joined by a semicolon and a sentence connector. Sentence connectors are transitional words which connect the two independent clauses. S: sentence colon list of Use a colon after an independent clause A dedicated musician requires three things: an particulars (complete sentence) when it is followed by a instrument, time to practice, and inspiration. list of particulars.

Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS) Common Subordinating Conjunctions for and nor but or yet so after To write a “left branch” (subordinate clause), start with a subordinating although as conjunction followed by a subject and a verb. This clause is not a sentence by itself. It is considered a fragment and is dependent on an Correlative Conjunctions when while independent clause (complete sentence). Either . . . or so that Neither . . . nor if Not only . . . but even though After he ran down the hallway because before Because it was raining until unless Since Joey loves Italian food since Sentence Connectors (meaning) While my parents are on vacation Transitions therefore (for this reason) nevertheless (in spite of) moreover (besides, further, in addition to) hence (as a result) indeed (truly) however (but, in spite of) consequently (as a result) on the other hand (looking at the other point of view)