Punctuation Formulas

PUNCTUATION FORMULAS

COORDINATE CONJUNCTIONS and but or nor for so yet RULES 1) S, cc S ex. I wrote to her, but I did not receive a response. 2) S cc inc. S ex. I wrote to her but did not receive a response. 3) series 3 ex. In my letter I mentioned that I had graduated, obtained a job, and moved into an apartment.

ADDRESSING AN INDIVIDUAL RULE 4) set off name by commas ex. Jenny, I need to see you.

SUBORDINATE CONJUNCTIONS after when while although if before whenever since even though as unless until because though RULES 5) sc, S ex. Because the light was red, we stopped. 6) S sc ex. We stopped because the light was red.

APPOSITIVES who which where whom that whose RULES 7) surround by commas if the idea is “extra” ex. The Governor, who was a native of Ohio, was elected for a second term. 8) do not surround by commas if the idea is “necessary” ex. The books that are on the new-book shelf may only be borrowed for one week. “that” is always necessary and therefore needs no commas SEMICOLONS consequently nevertheless however therefore RULES (cause and effect relationship needed) 9) S;S ex. It was cold outside; we wore our jackets. 10) S; c, S ex. It was cold outside; therefore, we wore our jackets.