107 Punctuation
This section of the handbook includes information on basic punctuation.
Punctuation Marks
Overview:
An explanation of basic punctuation: Punctuation Notes
An illustration on the different ways to end a sentence: Sentence Finishers
A review of commas, semicolons, parentheses, apostrophes, and capitalization: Punctuation Rules.1- OER
Apostrophes:
An overview of apostrophe usage: Apostrophe Handout
- Apostrophes are used in contractions where the letters have been left out.
Do not/ don’t
Is not/ isn’t
You have/ you’ve
She would/ she’d
- An Apostrophe shows possession.
| Singular Possessive Nouns | Plural Possessive Nouns |
| One woman’s hat | Children’s money |
| Ms. Chang’s house | Diplomats’ cars |
| Driver’s side | Joyce and Greg’s computer |
| Lois’s sister | |
| Marx’s teachings |
- Notes on Apostrophes:
With singular compound nouns, the ‘s goes at the end of a word
My sister-in-law’s quilts
Omit the apostrophe when writing plural numbers and abbreviations
Figure 8s
The 1900s
Four IOUs
Do not use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns.
Possessive Pronouns: his, hers, its, theirs, ours, yours, whose
These already show possession.
The only time an apostrophe is used with “its” is when it is the contraction for it is.
It’s a nice day.
Commas:
An overview of the basic comma rules: Fanboys and Whinesabout
Commas Change Meaning
How are these sentences different?
The old lady collected all sorts of things: silver, paper, hats, and clocks.
The old lady collected all sorts of things: silver paper, hats, and clocks.
The old lady collected all sorts of things: silver paper hats and clocks.
Comma Rules
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction that separates two independent clauses.
Time flies when we are having fun, and we are always having fun.
Use a comma after introductory words, phrases, or clauses.
Yes, I do need that report.
To apply for this job, you must have previous experience.
Use commas to set off elements that interrupt or add information in a sentence.
I am, as you have probably noticed, very nervous about this.
Mary, who has a three children, cannot go this Saturday.
Other Important Uses of Commas
| Before or surrounding the name or title of a person directly addressed. | Dates |
| Alisha, will you help with the party? | They met on February 14, 2021. |
| Yes, Doctor, I will. | |
| If you omit any part of the date, do not use a comma. | |
| They met on February 2021. | |
| They met on February 14. |
| List of words | Break up numbers into thousands | Inside quotation marks |
| We will need hammers, nails, and a saw. | 1,999 | “We are leaving tomorrow,” said Mike. |
| The street was filled with angry protestors, shouting | 3, 435, 234 | “The boys are fine,” sighed the babysitter. |
| 23, 432, 975, 324 |
The Oregon State Guide to Grammar has excellent videos on:
Colon:
Before a long list or explanation: The state fair offers a significant amount of disgusting food: fried pizza, fried Twinkies, fried butter, fried Oreos, fr