Common Rules for Using Punctuation in English Language
Capitalization Always capitalize : • the first word of every sentence. • days of the week ( Tuesday ) and months of the year ( April ). • the first letter ( only ) of the names of people and places ( Bangkok, Black Sea ). • the main words of a title, but not articles ( a, an, the ) or prepositions (words like to, of, for) or conjunctions (and, but), unless they first word in the title : The Three Things I Do in the Morning
Period ( . ) • A period comes at the end of a statement : An electronic dictionary is more convenient than a paper one. • If the sentence ends with an abbreviation, don’t use more than one period : RIGHT : My mother just finished her Ph.D. WRONG : My mother just finished her Ph.D. .
Comma (, ) • Use a comma to separate a series of three or more items : I take a dictionary, a notebook, and some paper to class every day. • Use a comma before words like and, but, or, and so to separate two parts of a sentence that each have a subject and a verb. She needed some work experience, so she got a part-time job. He did not study at all, but he still got an 92 on the test.
• use a comma before after an introductory word or expression, such as However, Therefore, and In Conclusion : However, the high price of electric cars means that most people cannot afford one
Quotation marks ( “ ’’ ) • Use quotation marks when you type or write the title of a book or movie :
‘‘ Hamlet ’’ was written by Shakespeare
. • When you use a word processor, you can use italics instead : Hamlet was written by Shakespeare.
• Use quotation marks to show the exact words someone spoke or wrote : The professor announced, ‘‘ we’re going to have an exam next week .’’ Shakespeare wrote, ‘‘ All the world’s a stage. ’’ • Do not use quotation marks if you’re reporting what another person said : The professor said that we should study hard this week.
Punctuation when using quotation marks If you are using expressions like he said or the girl remarked after the quotation, then use a comma and not a period at the end of the quoted sentence : ‘‘ We’re going to have an exam next, ’’ announced the professor. • Use a period if the quoted sentence comes at the end : The professor announced, ‘‘ We’re going to have an exam next week .’’ • Notice how a comma is used after announced, above, to introduce the quotation.
Quotation marks and capitalization • Capitalize the first letter of the word that begins a quotation. However, if an expression like she said interrupts the quotation and divides the sentence, then do not capitalize the first word of the part that finishes the quotation : ‘‘ Next week, ’’ said the professor, ‘‘ we are going to have an exam .’’ • Use a capital letter only if the second part is a new, complete sentence : ‘‘We’ll have an exam next week,’’ explained the teacher. ‘‘ It will take thirty minutes.’’
Advice for academic writing The following are not usually used in academic writing , although they are fine in informal situations, such as letters to your friends: • Parentheses( . . . ) that give information which is not part your main sentence: Cellular phones are useful (and besides, I think they look great). • The abbreviation etc. to continue a list. Instead, use a phrase like such as in your sentence : Students in my university come from countries such as China, India, and Australia.
• Exclamation points (!). Instead, write strong sentence with plenty of details to show your reader your feelings : Niagara Falls is one of the most spectacular natural wonders you will ever see. • An ellipses (. . . ) at the end of a sentence, to show that the sentence is not finished: The professor said that I should study hard, so . . . Instead, finish your sentence: The professor said that I should study hard, so I should not go to the party tonight.