Punctuation Rules

Punctuation

• Commas (,):
  • Separate items in a list (e.g., apples, bananas, oranges)
  • Separate clauses in a sentence (e.g., I went to the store, and I bought some milk)
  • Set off nonessential clauses or phrases (e.g., The teacher, who was wearing a red hat, was very nice)
• Semicolons (;):
  • Separate two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning (e.g., I have visited many cities in my life; Paris is my favorite)
  • Separate items in a list when those items already contain commas (e.g., I have visited many cities in my life, including Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Barcelona, Spain)
• Apostrophes ('):
  • Show possession (e.g., the cat's toy)
  • Form contractions (e.g., don't instead of do not)
• Colons (:):
  • Introduce a list or quotation (e.g., I have three favorite foods: pizza, sushi, and tacos)
  • Separate two independent clauses when the second clause explains or illustrates the first (e.g., I have one rule: never give up)

Noun/Verb Agreement

• Singular Nouns:
  • Take a singular verb (e.g., The cat sleeps on the bed)
  • Can be made plural by adding -s or -es (e.g., cat → cats)
• Plural Nouns:
  • Take a plural verb (e.g., The cats sleep on the bed)
  • Can be irregular (e.g., child → children)
• Collective Nouns:
  • Take a singular verb when referring to the group as a whole (e.g., The team is playing well)
  • Take a plural verb when referring to individual members of the group (e.g., The team are all wearing their uniforms)
• Indefinite Pronouns:
  • Take a singular verb (e.g., Everyone is going to the party)
  • Can be singular or plural depending on the context (e.g., Someone is/are coming to the door)

Punctuation

• Commas:
  • Used to separate items in a list
  • Used to separate clauses in a sentence
  • Used to set off nonessential clauses or phrases
• Semicolons:
  • Used to separate two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning
  • Used to separate items in a list when those items already contain commas
• Apostrophes:
  • Used to show possession
  • Used to form contractions
• Colons:
  • Used to introduce a list or quotation
  • Used to separate two independent clauses when the second clause explains or illustrates the first

Noun/Verb Agreement

• Singular Nouns:
  • Take a singular verb
  • Can be made plural by adding -s or -es
• Plural Nouns:
  • Take a plural verb
  • Can be irregular
• Collective Nouns:
  • Take a singular verb when referring to the group as a whole
  • Take a plural verb when referring to individual members of the group
• Indefinite Pronouns:
  • Take a singular verb
  • Can be singular or plural depending on the context