Conventions of punctuation

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Commas

Indicates pauses, separate items in a list, clarify sentence structure.

Separate items in a list. (C)

Ex- The car is spacious, stylish, and affordable.

Separate words that are not part of the sentence. (C)

Ex- Unfortunately, he missed his flight. (OR) Sir, please have a seat.

Separate linking words: however, therefore, for examples, etc.

Ex - It is, in fact, one of the best I have ever read.

Independent clause = Complete sentence

Ex - We went to the beach last weekend.

Dependent clause + Independent = Complete sentence

Ex - When Michelle gets home from work, she watches Tv for an hour.

Independent + Independent

Needs comma

Dependent + Independent

Needs comma

Independent + Dependent

No comma

Essential relative clause

No comma

Non-essential relative clause

Needs comma

Semicolons

Connect closely related independent clauses.

Semicolon just connecting two independent clauses together. (The first letter after the semicolon needs to be lowercase)

Ex - Her parents wanted her to be a doctor; however, she had other plans.

Colons

Introduce lists, explanations, or examples.

Colon: List

Ex - Danny’s seafood restaurant specializes in four items: prawn, crab, and lobster.

Colon: Clauses

Ex - I’d love to move to Japan, but there’s one big problem: I don’t speak any Japanese.

Dashes

Indicate a sudden break in thought or emphasis.

Apostrophe

Use apostrophe in place of omitted letters.