Walkup's Way Home A Pictorial Summary of the Punctuation Rules in English
 

Punctuating Independent Clauses: 4 Easy Rules

Rule 1:
Use a period

Independent clause
(I went to class.)

.

 

 

Independent clause
(I went to work.)

.

 

Rule 2:
Comma plus coordinating conjunction

 

 

Independent clause
(I went to class,)

 

,

and
but
or
nor
for
so
yet

(Note: Then is NOT a conjunction)

 

 

 

Independent clause
(I went to work.)

 

.

 

Rule 3:
Insert a semicolon.

 

Independent clause
(I went to class;)

(A semicolon can be used anytime; however, if your paper only contains semicolons, it will not look good.)

 

;

 

 

Independent clause
(I went to work.)

 

.

 
Rule 4:
Semicolon plus either a conjunctive adverb or transitional phrase.

 

Independent clause
(I went to class;)

 

;

accordingly
also
anyway
as a result
after all
consequently
for example
for instance
furthermore
however
In fact
indeed
instead
moreover
nevertheless
still
therefore
then
thus 

 

,

 

Independent clause(,then I went to work.)

 

.
Examples:
I went to class. I went to work.
I went to class, and I went to work.
I went to class; and I went to work.
I went to class; then I went to work.                                                            

 

Punctuating Introductory Elements
 
When my wallet is empty,

 

An introductory clause introduces the main part of the sentence that can stand on its own. Unless the introductory clause  is very short, it is followed by a comma.
 

,
I will stop gambling.

Independent clause

 

 

 

.

To earn my degree

Nouns & noun clauses are not generally separated from the verb with a comma.

 

will be very difficult.

Something (not independent clause)

 
  .

I don’t care where we shop,

A long dependent clause that follows an independent clause is usually set off with a comma.

The comma is usually omitted with shorter clauses.
 

,

as long as there are great restaurants where we can eat afterwards.

Independent Clause:
An independent clause is something can stand by itself as a sentence. It would contain a subject & a verb.

Dependent Clause:
A dependent clause cannot stand by itself as a complete sentence.
 

.
Examples:
When my wallet is empty, I will stop gambling.
To earn my degree will be very difficult.
I don't care where we shop, as long as there are great restaurants where we can eat afterwards.
                                                                                                                                

 

 

Commas with series, dates and places

Items in a series:

...

Item

,

Item

,

and

Item

.…
 

Dates:

…

Month

 

Day

,

Year

,

.…
 

Places:

…

City

,

State

,

…. 

 
Examples: 
Today the dog, the cat, and the monkey played together.
Example:  I was bon on December 22, 1952, in the cold city of Berlin, New Hampshire, to my grandmother's delight.

                                                                                                                                      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subordinating Conjunctions - professionalize your writing
after although as because before even though
if since so that though unless until
when whenever where whereas while  
If your sentences are short and choppy, revise your sentence by placing a subordinating conjunction at the beginning of your sentence:

Example:  I am hungry. I am going to McDonald's.
Revision: Because I am hungry, I am going to McDonald's.

Notice there is a comma at the end of the introductory clause.            

  

Two Serious Errors: Run-Ons and Comma Splices

 

Run-on:
(a run-on is two independent clauses [sentences] tied together without any punctuation.)

Independent clause
(I went to class)

 

  

  Independent clause
      (I went to work.)

.
Comma Splice:
(A comma splice is two independent clauses [sentences] tied together with a comma.)

 

Independent clause
(I went to class,)

 

    ,  

Independent clause
(I went to work.)

 .

Correction:  I went to class. I went to work.
                      I went to class; I went to work.