English Punctuation Rules

Overview

This lecture covers the importance of punctuation in English, explaining how different punctuation marks clarify meaning and outlining the key rules for their correct use.

Importance of Punctuation

• Punctuation can completely change the meaning of a sentence.
• Proper use ensures clarity and prevents misunderstandings.

Period, Question Mark, and Exclamation Mark

• Use a period (full stop) to end a statement.
• Sentences after a period start with a capital letter.
• Use a question mark to end a question.
• Use an exclamation mark to show strong emotion or emphasis.

Other Uses of the Period

• Use after abbreviations (e.g., Mr., Dr., Prof., etc.).
• Use in academic degrees (e.g., B.A., M.A., Ph.D.).
• Use with time abbreviations (e.g., a.m., p.m.).
• Use after initials in names (e.g., Chandler M. Bing).

Colon

• Use a colon to give explanations or extra information.
• Use a colon to introduce a list.
• Use a colon before quotations in reported speech.

Semicolon

• Use a semicolon instead of a period between closely related independent sentences.
• Do not use a comma to connect independent sentences.

Comma Usage

• Do not use a comma to separate subject, verb, object, or adverb in simple sentences.
• Use a comma after an adverbial clause at the beginning of a sentence.
• No comma needed if the adverbial clause is at the end.
• Use commas before and after adverbial clauses in the middle of a sentence.
• Use commas before and after non-defining relative clauses (extra information that can be removed).
• Use a comma before FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) conjunctions in long sentences.
• Use a comma after WABBITS (when, where, while, after, before, because, if, though, since) conjunctions when the clause is at the beginning.
• Use commas to separate items in a list; before the last item, use 'and' without a comma.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Punctuation — marks like periods, commas, and question marks that organize and clarify writing.
• Period (Full Stop) — a dot (.) used to end statements or abbreviations.
• Colon (:) — introduces explanations, lists, or quotations.
• Semicolon (;) — connects closely related independent clauses.
• Comma (,) — separates elements within sentences for clarity.
• Adverbial Clause — a dependent clause describing time, place, manner, etc.
• Relative Clause — a clause giving more information about a noun.
• FANBOYS — mnemonic for coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
• WABBITS — mnemonic for subordinating conjunctions: when, where, while, after, before, because, if, though, since.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review personal writing for correct punctuation use.
• Practice identifying and punctuating adverbial and relative clauses.
• Prepare questions for next class on punctuation rules.