Punctuation Marks

Punctuation Marks

1. Comma

   • ,
     • Commas are used between independent clauses (complete sentences) joined by a Coordinating Conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
       • Jake had fleas, so we gave him a bath.
       • We can start the party now, or we can wait until everyone’s here.
     • Use commas to separate items in a series
       • BMO is a camera, an alarm clock, and video game system.
       • Children like to watch Adventure Time, play video games, and chat on Facebook.
     • Do not use commas when all three items are joined by and or or
       • I enjoy biking and skating and swimming.
     • Use a comma after most introductory phrases of more than two words
       • Before class was over, the teacher assigned homework.
       • After the game on Saturday, Finn the Human went dancing with his friends
     • Use commas to set off transitional expressions that interrupt the flow of the sentence
       • Adventure Time, on the other hand, is an American animated television series.
       • Driving on the freeway, I think, is much more dangerous than flying.
   • Use commas to set off parenthetical elements
     • By the way, where is his powerful sword?
     • Everyone, it seems, wants to attend Jake’s party.
   • Commas are used to set off Nonessential Clauses (also called Nonrestrictive Relative Clauses. The phrase can be removed without changing the sentences overall meaning)
     • The Ice King, who is armed with a magic crown, is evil and corrupt.
   • In the case of Essential Clauses or Restrictive Relative Clauses, no commas are needed since the information is important to the meaning of the sentence
     • The king who is also known as Simon Petrikov is evil and corrupt.
   • Commas are used to set off Appositives (words or phrases used to rename or describe nouns and pronouns)
     • Jake, Fin’s adoptive brother, was born with special powers.
     • Jake, the old dog, plays viola with his girlfriend.
   • Use commas when addressing someone directly and specifically naming the person spoken to
     • Jake, you are such a silly boy.
     • Oh, I love you too.
     • Yes, you do.
   • Use commas to separate elements on an address
     • Those guys live at 300 West Road, Land of Ooo.
   • Use commas to separate the elements on a date
     • Adventure Time was first aired on Monday, April 5, 2010

2. Period

   • .
     • Use a period at the end of a statement or command
       • Fionna is the female version of Finn.
       • Watch Adventure Time only after doing homework.
     • Use a period with abbreviations
       • Mr. Cupcake always looks delicious.

3. Colon

   • :
     • Use a colon to introduce a word, clause, or list after a complete sentence:
       • Princess Bubblegum has a loyal pet: Rainicorn.
       • The Ice King has only one goal: to secure a wife by any means necessary.
       • These are the main characters: Finn, Fionna, Beemo, and Jake.
     • Never use a colon after a verb:
       • The main characters are: Finn, Fionna, Beemo, and Jake.
     • Use a colon to introduce a quotation. We often use a comma to introduce a quotation too
       • Finn says: “I'll kill you, Lumpy Spaaaaaaaace!!!”

4. Semicolon

   • ;
     • Use a semicolon between two independent clauses not joined by the FANBOYS
       • Marshall Lee is the boy version of Marceline; he's a rockstar vampire king.
     • Use a semicolon to form a bond between two related statements
       • Adventure Time is a popular American TV series; it follows the adventures of Finn and his best friend Jake.
     • Use a semicolon to avoid confusion between items in lists where there are already commas
       • In this animated TV program, there are different creatures such as dogs, cats, penguins; humans from different ages; a king, a vampire, and a girl.

5. Parentheses

   • ()
     • Use parentheses to enclose a word or phrase that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence
       • Adventure Time (originally titled Adventure Time with Finn & Jake) is an American animated television series.
     • Do not use parentheses within parentheses. Use brackets [ ]
       • Adventure Time (originally titled Adventure Time with Finn & Jake [Cartoon Network]) is an American animated television series.

6. Dash

   • -
     • Use dashes in the middle of a sentence to put special emphasis on a group of words or make them stand out from the rest of the sentence
       • The different characters seen in this animated series — monsters, humans, and animals — are product of an incredibly talented staff.
     • Use a dash at the end of a sentence to separate information from the rest of the sentence
       • The Ice King always kidnaps a princess and forces her to marry him  — pure wickedness.