Use a comma to separate an introductory participial phrase from the rest of the sentence
Running in the marathon, Jill sprained her ankle. The crime rate had risen dramatically in the small community; going to his local grocery store, Bill witnessed a murder.
Use a comma to separate an introductory infinitive phrase that is not used as the subject from the rest of the sentence
To see over the counter, Jessica had to stand on a stool.
. Use a comma to separate an introductory dependent adverbial clause from the rest of the sentence
While I was washing clothes, the washing machine spewed water all over the floor.
Use a comma to separate an introductory interjection or adverb that does not mention a specific time or place from the rest of the sentence
Usually, I am home in the evening. We went to the mall; later, we went to the show.
Use a comma after the salutation of a friendly letter and after the closing of all letters
Dear Joseph,
Use a comma to separate a direct quotation not spanning more than 4 typed lines from margin to margin from the speaker or writer of the quoted material
Convictions are more dangerous foes of truth than lies," writes philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.
. Use a comma or commas to separate titles or degrees following a person's name from the rest of the sentence
I have an appointment with Harold Simmons, DDS, once a year.
Use a comma before the coordinate conjunction (and, or, nor, but, so, yet) that connects 2 independent clauses that have no other comma or commas in them
The children were tired, so they went to bed early.
Use a comma to separate more than 2 items in a series and use a comma before the coordinate conjunction that connects the last 2 items of the series
We forgot to pack toothpaste, a flashlight, and lip balm the last time we went camping.
Use a comma to separate a long introductory prepositional phrase from the rest of the sentence unless what follows the prepositional phrase is the verb followed by the subject
At the foot of the bed, I found my dog sleeping. At the foot of the bed Rex snored loudly,.
Use a comma or commas to separate a nonessential/nonrestrictive participial phrase from the rest of the sentence
Jerry, having a seizure at the office, was rushed to the hospital.
Use a comma or commas to separate a nonessential/nonrestrictive adjective clause from the rest of the sentence
Jerry, who lived next door, won a new car.
. Use a comma or commas to separate a nonessential/nonrestrictive appositive from the rest of the sentence
Jerry, my big brother, came home last week.
Use a comma or commas to separate an appositive adjective or appositive adjectives from the rest of the sentence
Use a comma or commas to separate an appositive adjective or appositive adjectives from the rest of the sentence
Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives from each other
Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives from each other
Use a comma to separate a tag question from the declarative sentence that precedes it.
I enjoyed the movie, did you?
Use a comma or commas to separate contrasted material from the rest of the sentence
The boys, not the girls, were on time.
Use a comma in place of a word omitted from the second clause when the 2 clauses are joined by a semi-colon
Sally counted sixty jelly beans; Shelly, eighty.
. Use a comma or commas to separate parenthetic material from the rest of the sentence
: I think, however, that I should call my mom.
Use a comma after a conjunctive adverb
The boys were late; therefore, the girls were angry.
Use a comma or commas to separate a noun of direct address from the rest of the sentence
: Barry, will you take the trash out?
Use a comma in numbers over 999; however, do not use a comma in street numbers, telephone numbers, zip codes, or years
1,999
Use a comma to separate two or more parts of an address from each other and to separate the last element of the address from the rest of the sentence
Please send the entry to John Jones, 1315 Elm Street, Norfolk, NE 68701, USA, if you want to be eligible to win the bike.
Use a comma to separate two or more parts of a date from each other and to separate the last element of the date from the rest of the sentence
Please send the entry by midnight, Sunday, December 31, 2006, to be eligible to win.
Use a comma wherever necessary to prevent misunderstanding.
In the end field advantage was important.
Place a semi-colon before the coordinate conjunction (and, or, nor, but, so, yet) that connects 2 or more independent clauses if a comma or commas appear(s) anywhere else in the sentence
Mary, who is my mother's sister, is coming [to visit] us; and she will stay for three weeks.
Place a semi-colon between two independent clauses that are not joined by a conjunction.
Three adult males were apprehended; none were charged.
Use a semi-colon to separate items in a series when one or more of the items in the series contains a comma or commas within it/them.
I had invited Jim, my cousin; my sister; three dear female friends; and Barry, Mike, and Mark, three of my husband's best friends, for dinner this Friday.
Use a semi-colon before a conjunctive adverb
Joe had played basketball all day; consequently, he was extremely tired by the end of the day.
Use a colon between the hours and the minutes when presenting time numerically
3:40
Use a colon between the chapter number and verse number of a religious work
John 3:16
Use a colon after the salutation of a business letter
Dear Mr. Evans:
Use a colon before a formal topic to be debated
Resolve: The US should not be involved in unilateral military intervention.
Use a colon before a list of items preceded by the words as follows or the following
Sally bought the following: apples, oranges, and grapes.
Use a colon before a list of items when the list is preceded by an independent clause
I was told to bring these items: my tent, my flashlight, my sleeping bag, and a book of ghost stories.
Use a colon to separate two independent clauses which are not joined by a conjunction if the second clause explains the first
I was late for school: my car ran out of gas.
Use a colon to emphasize an appositive coming after an independent clause
I love my career: teaching
Use a colon to separate a subtitle from a title
The title of one book for my advanced placement students is Literature: Reading Poetry, Drama, and the Essay.
Use a colon to separate the speaker or writer of a direct quotation spanning more than 4 typed lines from margin to margin from the quoted material
Robert Frost states: "My poetry is often based on personal experiences; however, at times I also have used experiences of others as a basis for my poetry. Sometimes, a poem comes entirely from my imagination. Regardless, of the inspiration for my poetry I always try to compose the best poetry of which I am capable. Evidently, all the possible situations have been successful because I have a vast amount of poetry that has been considered poetry that will withstand the test of time.
Use an apostrophe to make a noun or indefinite pronoun possessive
: Barry's coat is lying on the floor again.
Use an apostrophe to replace letters in contractions
It's a shame that Joe can't go to the party.
Use a hyphen to put two or more words together to create a new word
A thank you note for a meal and lodging is often called a bread-and-butter letter.
Use a dash to emphasize material; material following a dash or between dashes is emphasized
Everything that went wrong--from the peeping Tom to the head-on-collision--was blamed on my move to the large city.
Use a dash to set off appositives that contain commas
Gumbo--a New Orleans dish of rice, okra, beans, and spicy seasonings--is our traditional New Year's Day dinner.
Use a dash to prepare for a dramatic shift in tone
Carl took a few steps back, came running full speed, kicked a mighty kick--and missed the ball.