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PUNCTUATION RULES

COMMAS

SEMICOLONS

COLONS

INTRODUCERS

COORDINATORS

INSERTERTS

TAGS

It comes in front of the first independent clause

Therefore, I have to buy a present.

Together with a coordinator conjuction, it links coordinate elements

She has a good job, yet she never has any money.

Before and after elements inserted into the middle of an independent clause

My brother, on the other hand, has never drunk

Addimg certain elements to the end of a sentence

My brother believes in in the existence of mermaids, too.

BETWEEN SENTENCES

BEFORE CONNECTORS

BETWEEN INTEMS IN A SERIE

At the end of a sentence, when the following sentence is conected in meaning.

The meeting ended at dawn; nothing had been decided.

Before conjunctive adverbs

Before transition phrases

He was very tired; nevertheless he went on walking.

Jackson misbehaved with his boss; as a result, he lost the job.

Separate items in a series, when some of the items already contain commas

There are basically two ways to write: with a pen or pencil, which is inexpensive and easily accessible; or by computer and printer, which is more expensive but quick and neat.

BEFORE LISTS

BEFORE APPOSITIVES

AFTER FORMAL SALUTATIONS

BEFORE LONG QUOTATIONS

BEFORE SUBTITLES

IN EXPRESSIONS OF TIME OR DAY

To introduce a list

I am going to buy: milk, meat, eggs, etc.

Don't use it to introduce the verb "to be" unless you add the following.

Don't use it after a preposition

To me, the most important things in life are the following: good health, a happy home life and a satisfaying occupation.

After a log day at work, I look forward to enjoying a uiet dinner at home, playing with my children, and watching a little TV.

After an independant clause to direct attention to an appositive

He had one great love in his life: himself

To introduce a quotation longer than three lines.

The minister always said the same thing: "The next time I stand up here, I will have answers to these questions."

Between the main title and the subtitle of a book

Food of the Gods: The Search for the Original Tree of Knowledge; a Radical History of Plants, Drugs, and Human Evolution

Between the numbers for hours and minutes

Ben left the class at 15:40.

After the salutation of a formal letter

Dear Doctor Smith:

COMMAS

PUNCTUATION RULES

SEMICOLONS

COLONS