Basic Guidelines for Basic Guidelines for Punctuation UsagePunctuation Usage

Full Stop (Full Stop (..))SENTENCE DIVISION SENTENCE DIVISION

Full stops are used to close sentences. A new Full stops are used to close sentences. A new sentence has a capital letter.sentence has a capital letter.

ExampleExample

I looked out of the window it was snowing again

I looked out of the window. It was snowing again.

Full Stop (Full Stop (..)) Do not normally put full stops before Do not normally put full stops before

GRAMMATICALLY INCOMPLETE GRAMMATICALLY INCOMPLETE SENTENCES SENTENCES

ExampleExample

She phoned me. As soon as she arrived. She phoned me. As soon as she arrived.

She phoned me as soon as she arrivedShe phoned me as soon as she arrived

Semi-colon (Semi-colon (;;))INSTEAD OF FULL STOPSINSTEAD OF FULL STOPS

Semi-colons are sometimes used instead of full stops, in Semi-colons are sometimes used instead of full stops, in cases where sentences are grammatically independent cases where sentences are grammatically independent but the meaning is closely connected. Semi-colons are not but the meaning is closely connected. Semi-colons are not nearly as common as full stops or commas.nearly as common as full stops or commas.

ExampleExampleSome people work best in the mornings, other do better in Some people work best in the mornings, other do better in

the evenings.the evenings.

Some people work best in the mornings; other do better in Some people work best in the mornings; other do better in the evenings.the evenings.

Semi-colon (Semi-colon (;;))IN LISTSIN LISTS

Semi-colons are also used to separate items in a list, Semi-colons are also used to separate items in a list, particularly when these are grammatically complex.particularly when these are grammatically complex.

He mentioned the four objectives of the CAP: He mentioned the four objectives of the CAP: 1.1. Income support for a large population of family farms (the Income support for a large population of family farms (the

“social” component);“social” component);2.2. Increase in production and productivity mainly by the Increase in production and productivity mainly by the

absorption of yield-increasing technical innovations;absorption of yield-increasing technical innovations;3.3. Food security (intended as an increase in self-sufficiency Food security (intended as an increase in self-sufficiency

ratio; ratio; 4.4. Common price and price stabilityCommon price and price stability for agricultural for agricultural

products.products.

Colon(:)Colon(:) EXPLANATIONSEXPLANATIONSColons are often used before explanationsColons are often used before explanationsWe decided not to go on holiday: we had too little We decided not to go on holiday: we had too little

money.money.

DIRECT SPEECHDIRECT SPEECHWhen direct speech is introduced by a nameWhen direct speech is introduced by a namePolonius: What do you read my lord?Polonius: What do you read my lord?Hamlet: Words, words, wordsHamlet: Words, words, words

Colon(:)Colon(:)

LISTSLISTSA colon can introduce a list.A colon can introduce a list.The main points are as follows:The main points are as follows:1…….1…….2……..2……..3…….3…….We need three kinds of support: economic, We need three kinds of support: economic,

moral and political.moral and political.

Colon (:)Colon (:) SUBDIVISIONSSUBDIVISIONSA colon can introduce a subdivision of a subject - for instance, A colon can introduce a subdivision of a subject - for instance,

in a title or heading.in a title or heading.Punctuation: colonPunctuation: colonSupply chain coordination: the case of dairy products in SyriaSupply chain coordination: the case of dairy products in Syria CAPITAL LETTERSCAPITAL LETTERSIn British English, it is unusual for a capital letter to follow a In British English, it is unusual for a capital letter to follow a

colon (except at the beginning of a quotation). However, colon (except at the beginning of a quotation). However, this can happen if a colon is followed by several complete this can happen if a colon is followed by several complete sentences.sentences.

My main objections are as follows:My main objections are as follows: First of all, no proper budget has been drawn up.First of all, no proper budget has been drawn up. Secondly, there is no guarantee that….Secondly, there is no guarantee that….

Dash (-)Dash (-)

The use of dash can be similar to the use of The use of dash can be similar to the use of brackets brackets

My mother-who rarely gets angry-really lost her My mother-who rarely gets angry-really lost her tempertemper

A dash can introduce an afterthoughtA dash can introduce an afterthought

We will arrive on Monday morning - at least, I think We will arrive on Monday morning - at least, I think so.so.

Comma (,)Comma (,)Commas generally reflect pauses in speech.Commas generally reflect pauses in speech. LISTSLISTSWe use commas to separate items in a series or list. We use commas to separate items in a series or list.

In British English, a comma is not usually used with In British English, a comma is not usually used with and and between the last two items unless these are between the last two items unless these are long. Compare:long. Compare:

I went to Spain, Bosnia, Syria and Mexico. (US: Syria, I went to Spain, Bosnia, Syria and Mexico. (US: Syria, and Germany)and Germany)

I spent yesterday playing the guitar, listening to jazz I spent yesterday playing the guitar, listening to jazz records, and talking about the meaning of life. records, and talking about the meaning of life.

Comma (,)Comma (,) ADJECTIVESADJECTIVESIn predicative position, commas are always used between In predicative position, commas are always used between

adjectives.adjectives.The director was tall, dark and handsomeThe director was tall, dark and handsome.. Word OrderWord OrderIf words or expressions are put in unusual places or interrupt If words or expressions are put in unusual places or interrupt

the normal progression of a sentence, we separate them the normal progression of a sentence, we separate them off by commas.off by commas.

My father, however, did not agree.My father, however, did not agree.Mr Hindi, director of the NAPC, introduced the lecturerMr Hindi, director of the NAPC, introduced the lecturer..

Comma (,)Comma (,)

Identifying ExpressionsIdentifying ExpressionsThe woman who was sitting behind the reception The woman who was sitting behind the reception

desk gave Paul a big smiledesk gave Paul a big smileMrs Kate, who was sitting behind the reception desk, Mrs Kate, who was sitting behind the reception desk,

gave Paul a big smile gave Paul a big smile Clause connected with Clause connected with andand, , butbut or or or or are usually are usually

separated by commas unless they are very short.separated by commas unless they are very short.She had very little to live on, but she She had very little to live on, but she

would never have dreamed of would never have dreamed of taking taking what was not herswhat was not hers

She was poor but she was honestShe was poor but she was honest

Comma (,)Comma (,) Direct SpeechDirect SpeechA comma is generally used between a reporting A comma is generally used between a reporting

expression and a piece of direct speechexpression and a piece of direct speech““I don’t like this one”, said Julia.I don’t like this one”, said Julia. Subordinate ClausesSubordinate ClausesWhen subordinate clauses begin a sentences, they When subordinate clauses begin a sentences, they

are often separated by commas.are often separated by commas.

If you are ever in London, come and see meIf you are ever in London, come and see meCome and see me if you are ever in LondonCome and see me if you are ever in London

Comma (,)Comma (,)

Commas are not used before “THAT-clauses”Commas are not used before “THAT-clauses”It is quite natural that you want to meet your motherIt is quite natural that you want to meet your motherIt is quite natural, that you want to meet your motherIt is quite natural, that you want to meet your motherNo commas before No commas before that, what, wherethat, what, where in indirect in indirect

speech structuresspeech structuresEverybody realized that I was a foreigner Everybody realized that I was a foreigner Everybody realized, that I was a foreignerEverybody realized, that I was a foreigner They quickly explained what to doThey quickly explained what to doThey quickly explained, what to doThey quickly explained, what to do

Comma (,)Comma (,)

In the beginning of a sentence: In the beginning of a sentence: However, However, In addition, In addition, In the light of the conclusion already stated, In the light of the conclusion already stated,

………….…………. WhichWhichShe cycled from Damascus to Aleppo, which She cycled from Damascus to Aleppo, which

is pretty good for a woman of 75. is pretty good for a woman of 75.