Punctuation Essentials
Fragment
an incomplete sentence that is missing a subject or a verb; or a dependent clause that is separated from an independent clause
Please correct this sentence and identify the comma rule that you need to know:
Running around the house the dog was abruptly stopped by a fence.
Running around the house, the dog was abruptly stopped by a fence. Rule: Separates introductory clauses (or at the back of the sentence)
Please correct this sentence:
I love this band, they arent really my style but they really connect with there audience.
I love this band; they aren't really my style, but they really connect with their audience.
The purpose of the question mark
To mark an interrogative sentence
Comma Splice
a comma incorrectly separates two sentences
Please correct this sentence and identify the comma rule that you need to know: The player was determined to fight run and play hard to win the game.
The player was determined to fight, run, and play hard to win the game. Rule: Separates a series/list
Please correct this sentence:
While listening to the band I have difficulty hearing the musicians voices.
While listening to the band, I have difficulty hearing the musicians' voices.
I went to the store to buy brownie mix.
The purpose of the exclamation point
To mark an exclamatory sentence
Run-On
Two independent clauses that are incorrectly linked together
Please correct this sentence and identify the comma rule that you need to know: John and Larry my two coworkers always do more work than their supervisors.
John and Larry, my two coworkers, always do more work than their supervisors. Rule: Separates parenthetical (extra) information
Please correct this sentence:
To protect humanities resources we must recycle.
To protect humanity's resources, we must recycle.
The grocery store was really packed with people, so I think there must have been a big sale today.
Type: Declarative Class: Compound
The purpose of the semi-colon
To separate two sentences (or independent clauses) that are similar in content or build off of one another
To fix a comma splice one can..
Add a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) with a comma, make two sentences, use an em-dash, use a subordinating conjunction, or use a semi-colon
Please correct this sentence and identify the comma rule that you need to know:
Molly Amy Clark and Justin the four smartest kids in school found a cure for a worldwide disease.
Molly, Amy, Clark, and Justin, the four smartest kids in school, found a cure for a worldwide disease. Rule: 2) Separates a series/list AND Separates extra information
Please correct this sentence:
If the opposition should win our partys candidate would never have any political future.
If the opposition should win, our party's candidate would never have any political future.
After you hike for three hours, you must drink some water.
Type: Imperative Class: Complex
The purpose(s) of the comma (name at least 2)
1) Separates a series/list 2) Separates parenthetical (extra) information 3) Separates an introductory phrase or dependent clause when it comes at the beginning of the sentence 4) Separates two sentences with a conjunction (sentence, conjunction, sentence)
Please correct this sentence and identify the comma rule that you need to know.
It was undeniable that Jordan's ring a shiny huge diamond was the most expensive piece of jewelry that she owns.
It was undeniable that Jordan's ring, a shiny, huge, diamond, was the most expensive piece of jewelry that she owns. Rule: Separates a series/list AND Separates non-essential information
Please correct this sentence:
While I eat I like listening to the soft background music it is very relaxing.
While I eat, I like listening to the soft background music; it is very relaxing.
Because I waited tables straight through from 3:30 to 11:30, I never sat down for even one break, and I was exhausted that night!
Type: Exclamatory Class: Compound-Complex