Punctuation (p)

Periods

    Periods separate sentences.

        1.  We went to the store.  On the way we ran into Hugh.

Semicolons

    Semicolons most often separate independent clauses that
    have a close connection in meaning.  Semicolons are much
    closer to a period than to a comma.

        2.  John is his brother; Mary is his sister.
        3.  They studied for hours; however, they still didn't
             understand.

Commas

     Commas are used to separate items in a list, clauses
     connected with a coordinator, introductory phrases and
     clauses, and non-essential information:    

        4.  They bought apples, oranges and pears.  (a list)
        5.  We spent hours looking for a gift for Muhammed,
              but nothing seemed right. (clauses separated with
              a coordinator)
        6.   In the garden at the end of the path, there is a statue
              of Buddha. (introductory phrase)
        7.   Before you go see that movie, you should read the
              book.  (introductory subordinate clause)
        8.   Monet's most famous paintings, which can be seen in
              the Orangerie in Paris, are the Water Lilies. (non-
              essential information)

Parentheses and dashes

    Parentheses and dashes can also be used to separate non-
    essential information, but they provide a stronger break than
    commas:

        9.  Monet (certainly the most famous impressionist) lived
             in Giverny in Normandy.
        10. Monet-- certainly the most famous impressionist-- lived
              in Giverny in Normandy.

Brackets and Ellipses

    Brackets are square parentheses [ ] and ellipses are dots ...
    Brackets are most often used in quotations to show you have
    changed or added a word; ellipses indicate that you have
    removed a word or words from the middle of the quote.

        11. Michael Glaxon of the Parameters Institute claims,
              "Everyone who doesn't [buy] our ... product will
               be miserable for the rest of his or her life."

    The original passage did not contain the word "buy" but did
    contain other words between "our" and "product."

For much more complete explanations and exercises, go to this link:

Link:

    Summary of punctuation:  punctuation
     Another site:  punctuation

08/28/2006