Internal Punctuation Marks: the comma, semicolon, colon, apostrophe, parentheses, and hyphen

1. I N T E R N A L
P U N C T U AT I O N
M A R K S
C O M M A , S E M I C O L O N ,
C O L O N , A P O S T R O P H E ,
P A R E N T H E S E S , & H Y P H E N

2. THE COMMA
Commas are used within sentences for numerous reasons; they may separate
grammatical components of a sentence or may mark a brief pause when spoken aloud.
Below are some of the most important rules to remember when using the comma
correctly.
Rule 1: Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items. The last
comma used (before the word and) is known as The Oxford comma and should be used to avoid any
misunderstandings.
oI folded the shirts, shorts, and pants before putting them into the drawer.
Rule 2: Use commas to separate two or more adjectives.
oThe bright, hot sun was shining into my bedroom window.
Rule 3: In sentences where two independent clauses (also known as compound sentences) are joined by
conjunctions such as and, or, but, etc., put a comma at the end of the first clause before the conjunction.
oThe dog dashed into the backyard, but he quickly retreated when he saw the black bear sitting in the
grass.
Rule 4: Use a comma after introductory words, phrases, and clauses.
oAfter the rain stopped, the horses emerged from the barn.

3. MORE ABOUT THE COMMA
The comma can be confusing! Watch this video on the
next slide for more clarification on the four comma rules discussed.
Reference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA-451bxM48

4. THE SEMICOLON
Semicolons looks like a half period, half comma mark for good reason. Semicolons indicate a pause
longer than a comma but not final like a period. Most commonly, the semicolon is used between two
independent clauses (clauses that could stand alone as separate sentences) when a coordinating
conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) is omitted.
Call me tomorrow; you can give me an answer then.
Other ways to use a semicolon:
Between independent clauses linked by a transitional expression
oBring whatever you’d like to the potluck; however, we are in dire need of paper products.
Use a semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas
oOn our road trip we will visit Jacksonville, Florida; Savannah, Georgia; Charlotte, North
Carolina; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Reference:
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/sites/default/files/images/1231/Semicolon.png (image)
http://www.thepunctuationguide.com/semicolon.html

5. THE COLON
The colon has primarily three main uses but always remember a colon
should only be used after a complete sentence!
1. Use a colon to introduce a list
• I’m taking three classes this semester: Statistics, Art History, and English 101.
2. Use a colon between independent clauses when the second explains or illustrates the
first. The colon is used to separate two independent clauses when the second explains or
illustrates the first. In such usage, the colon functions in much the same way as the semicolon. As
with the semicolon, do not capitalize the first word after the colon unless the word is ordinarily
capitalized.
• Remember the old saying: treat others as you’d like to be treated.
3. The colon can be used to emphasize a phrase or single word at the end of a sentence.
• You know what to do: practice!

6. THE APOSTROPHE
The apostrophe has two main purposes: make a word possessive and help form contractions.
Make a word possessive using the apostrophe
The general rule is to add an apostrophe and then an s after a singular noun to show ownership.
the doctor’s stethoscope. . .
the tree’s leaves. . .
the lawyer’s fees. . .
the baby’s pacifier. . .
the child’s toy. . .
The possessive of a plural noun is made my adding just an apostrophe at the end of the word if it ends in s. Some plural nouns
do not end in s (known as irregular nouns), so in this case, add an apostrophe and then the s, as in the example below using
the plural noun children.
The doctors’ stethoscope. . .
The trees’ leaves. . .
The lawyers’ fees. . .
The babies’ pacifiers. . .
The children’s toy. . .

7. MORE ABOUT THE APOSTROPHE
Form Contractions using an apostrophe
The apostrophe is placed where a letter or letters have been removed. If you’re unsure where to
place the apostrophe, make sure to check in a dictionary.
Can + not = Can’t
How + would = How’d
Will + not =Won’t
There + is =There’s
You + are =You’re

8. PARENTHESES
Parentheses are used to provide additional information in your writing. Whatever is placed
inside the parentheses should not be an integral part of the surrounding sentence. A quick
way to check this is to read your sentence without the words in the parentheses. Does it still
make sense?
– The new coffee shop (on Main Street) is serving homemade donuts along with it’s delicious lattes.
– She won the money ($50) after betting which team would win the championship game.

9. THE HYPHEN
The hyphen’s most primary function is formation of
certain compound terms.
• five-year old boy
• money-back guarantee
• eye-opener