Sentence Punctuation Patterns To punctuate a sentence, you can use and combine some of these patterns.

For more information on independent and dependent clauses plus independent and dependent markers, see our handouts on those subjects. Pattern One: Simple sentence or Independent clause [ . ]
An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence.

Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma. Pattern Two : Independent clause [ , ] coordinating conjunction independent clause [ . ] There are seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma, but they don't know the reasons for it. Pattern Three: Independent clause [ ; ] independent clause [ . ] Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma; they are unsure of its cause. Pattern Four: Independent clause [ ; ] independent marker [ , ] independent clause [ . ] Examples of independent markers are the following: therefore, moreover, thus, consequently, however, also. Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma; therefore, they have called for more research into its causes. Pattern Five: Dependent marker dependent clause [ , ] Independent clause[ . ] Some common dependent markers are: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while. Example: Because doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma, they have called for more research into its causes. Pattern Six: Independent clause dependent marker dependent clause [ . ] Some common dependent markers are: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while . Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma because it is a common illness. Pattern Seven: First part of an independent clause [ , ] non-essential clause or phrase, rest of the independent clause [ . ] A non-essential clause or phrase is one that can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence or making it ungrammatical. In other words, the non-essential clause or phrase gives additional information, but the sentence can stand alone without it. Example: Many doctors, including both pediatricians and family practice physicians, are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma. Pattern Eight: First part of an independent clause essential clause or phrase rest of the independent clause [ . ] An essential clause or phrase is one that cannot be removed without changing the overall meaning of the sentence. Example: Many doctors who are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma have called for more research into its causes.

To separate the elements in a series A comma is used to separate the elements listed in a series of three or more things. A comma should go between each element in the series, with the exception of the final two elements. That comma, often

called the serial comma or an Oxford comma, is optional. This comma might be optional, but your usage concerning it should be consistent. Correct I wrote about friendship, romance, and hurt. Correct I wrote about friendship, romance and hurt. Incorrect I wrote about friendship romance and hurt. To connect two independent clauses A comma, along with a conjunction (and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so), is used to connect two independent clauses. A comma should go before the conjunction that separates the two independent clauses. A comma is not necessary if one of the clauses is independent and the other is dependent. Correct: I wrote about friendship, and I used a pencil. Incorrect: I wrote about friendship and, I used a pencil. Incorrect: I wrote about friendship, and used a pencil. Before a coordinating conjunction that connects two independent clauses Whats an independent clause? A word group that can stand on its own as a sentence. Coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet. Ex: We were going to go play ball, but it was raining by the time we finally made up our minds. Ex: I think were going out to dinner, and were going to my favorite restaurant. Ex: She forgot to wear sunscreen, so now she has a crazy sunburn. EXCEPTION: If the two clauses are short, no comma is needed. Ex: It was sunny so we went to the meadow. CAUTION! COMMON COMMA MISTAKE! Do not use a comma by itself to join two independent clauses. This type of error is called a comma splice and creates run-on sentences. Instead of a comma, use a period, semicolon, or conjunction/comma combination a comma is just not strong enough to do this job all on its own, poor little buddy. INCORRECT: Its really nice out today, I think Ill go to the park. CORRECT: Its really nice out today. I think Ill go to the park. CORRECT: Its really nice out today; I think Ill go to the park. CORRECT: Its really nice out today, and I think Ill go to the park. NOTE: The dash and colon can also be used to fix some comma splices, but not all. After an introductory phrase An introductory phrase sometimes short, sometimes long comes before the subject and verb in a sentence. (The introductory phrase can be made up of adverb clauses, participial phrases, or prepositional phrases.) Correct: Despite writers block, I managed to write one thousand words. Incorrect: Despite writers block I managed to write one thousand words. EXCEPTION: If the introductory phrase is short and theres no danger of misreading, no comma is needed. In the second example below, the sentence might be confusing without the comma (Is Esme the one being hunted?). Ex: Later this year we will be going to Alaska. Ex: After hunting, Esme tended to the garden. CAUTION! COMMON COMMA MISTAKE! Beware of using too many commas. In most cases, if a sentence with an introductory phrase is reversed, a comma will not be required between the former introductory phrase and the clause that contains the subject and verb.

INCORRECT: I was still walking home, when it started to rain Wednesday afternoon. CORRECT: I was still walking home when it started to rain Wednesday afternoon. INCORRECT: Esme tended to the garden, after hunting. CORRECT: Esme tended to the garden after hunting. The phrase, once moved to the beginning of the sentence, is no longer introductory and there is therefore no need to separate it from the rest of the sentence. To set off parenthetical elements A comma is used to set off a parenthetical element, which is a part of a sentence that can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence. Sometimes, it can be tricky to identify if a part of the sentence truly is a parenthetical element or not. Correct: I wrote about romance, all night long, to better understand him. Incorrect: I wrote about romance all night long to better understand him. Incorrect: I wrote about, romance and, friendship to understand him. When they are mentioned together, a citys name and state or a citys name and country are considered to be parenthetical elements. Correct: I wrote about Los Angeles, California, in my story. Correct: I wrote about London, England, in my story. Incorrect: I wrote about London, England in my story. A nonrestrictive phrase is a phrase whose inclusion in a sentence isnt necessary. It gives some extra info that we may or may not need, and although it might make the sentence more rich or interesting, it isnt imperative. Removing a nonrestrictive phrase wont change the basic meaning of the sentence. Ex: The dog, which lived down the block, always came running around during dinner. Ex: The dog that lived down the block always came running around during dinner. The first example demonstrates how to write the sentence if we dont care where the dog lives the important information is that he always showed up for dinner. In the second example, the dog is defined by living down the block, so the information is imperative restrictive to the sentence. ADDITIONAL EXAMPLE: Ex: The visiting vampires, who usually lived in Alaska, were vegetarians also. Ex: The vampires who lived in Denali were vegetarians also. In the first example, the important thing about the vampires is that they are visiting and vegetarians. That theyre from Alaska is secondary information, so that phrase is offset by commas. The second example is specifically referencing the vampires from Denali, so no commas are required. Ex: My dad, Charlie, lives by himself. Ex: My sister Rosalie lives with her husband. Why commas for Charlie but not Rose? Charlie gets commas because the speaker only has one father in this case, his name isnt important, just that he exists and lives by himself. In the second example, the speaker has more than one sister, so that shes referencing her sister Rosalie specifically is imperative to the sentence being correct. NOTE: This double-comma offset usage also works for parenthetical and transitional expressions, absolute phrases, appositives (which can be restrictive and nonrestrictive), and contrasted elements. Ex: She was, of course, crazy about him from the start. Ex: One of my favorite movies, Ferris Buellers Day Off, was playing at the old theatre downtown. Ex: As a matter of fact, Stephen King is my favorite author. Ex: It was my sister, not my brother, who broke the window. NO COMMA REQUIRED: Ex: The song The Twelve Days of Christmas by the Muppets is my favorite holiday song. To separate coordinate adjectives A comma is used to separate coordinate adjectives, which are descriptive words that work together to modify another word. If you were to put an and or but in between the adjectives and the sentence would still make sense, a comma likely belongs between the adjectives in your phrase. If an and or but would not make sense, a comma likely does not belong between the adjectives in your phrase. Correct: My character went to the fancy, expensive store to buy milk. Incorrect: The old, gray house was featured in my story.

To set off quoted elements A comma is used to set off quoted elements from the remainder of the sentence that explains or introduces the quotation, which includes dialogue. Correct: I wrote a book, she said, about friendship and romance. Correct: I wrote a book, she said. It was about friendship and romance. Incorrect: I wrote a book, she said, It was about friendship and romance. Incorrect: I wrote a book, she said about friendship and romance. A comma is not used to set off quoted elements that are embedded in the sentence. Correct: She wrote about things like Romance and Friendship. Incorrect: She wrote about things like, Romance, and Friendship. This is very important for dialogue, the fiction writers best friend (worst enemy?). Issues with punctuation around dialogue are common, but luckily the rules are straightforward. The most important things to remember: 1. Use a comma with tags such as said, or variations thereof. Use it before and after the dialogue tag, as applicable. Ex: It only happens, Alice said, when I really concentrate on them. Ex: Heres your schedule, dear, Mrs. Cope said, smiling. Note: If the tag is a complete sentence all by itself, use a period instead of a comma. Ex: Mike laughed wildly. Thats the funniest thing Ive ever heard! 2. In American English, commas (and periods) always go inside quotation marks. Ex: Dont look at me like that, she said. Ex: Even though his sister had called the class boring, he found himself fascinated by the subject matter. CAUTION! COMMON COMMA MISTAKE! Do not use a comma with a question mark or exclamation point. Only use the question mark or exclamation point. Those are both stronger than the comma, and in a battle, they win. INCORRECT: Have you seen my bunny rabbit?, she asked. CORRECT: Wow, hes hot! she said. To set off phrases that express contrast A comma is used to set off phrases that express contrast. However, if you are using the conjunction but, it is optional to use a comma to set off phrases that express contrast. Correct: I wrote about romance, not betrayal. Incorrect: I wrote about romance not betrayal. To indicate direct address Anytime you address a person (and sometimes a thing) directly, always offset the name with commas. This includes nicknames, pet names, sir and maam, insults, anything. Put commas on both sides of the name, as applicable. Ex: Edward, wait up a minute, she called. Ex: How are you, baby? Ex: I dont know about you, dear sister, but Im hungry. Ex: Love of my life, can you please get me a beer? Ex: Look, jackass, Ive had enough of this. To set off a present participial phrase When two verbs are used to show distinct, simultaneous actions of the same subject, and the verbs are not connected by a conjunction, a comma is required before the second verb. This is a very common fiction-writing construct. Ex: I rolled over on the bed, gripping my pillow tightly.

Ex: He sang at the top of his lungs, belting out the lyrics. In these two examples, the second verb starts a participial phrase. When using a minor interjection (i.e., oh, hey, well), or with yes or no: Ex: Oh, thats not what I was expecting. Ex: Hey, isnt that your sister? Ex: No, we are definitely not doing that tonight! Ex: Thats what you said, yes? If it is a strong interjection, you could use an exclamation point: Hey! You there! For a series or list of things: Ex: My hunting preferences are bear, cheetah, and cougar. Ex: For lunch, I had Doritos, peanut butter and jelly, and Oreos dipped in milk. To use a comma before the and or not? The serial (or Oxford) comma tends to be a matter of personal preference. You dont really need it unless the sentence is unclear without it, as in the second example above. (Peanut butter dipped in milk? Jelly dipped in milk?) Whether you choose to use it or not, be consistent with your decision, but adapt as needed. To separate noncumulative adjectives: Ex: She passed the tall, sexy, gorgeous boy three times a day in the hall. Ex: He was a scary old man, regardless of what he did with his hair. Ex: My cute white dress is in the laundry. In the first example, the boy is tall and sexy and gorgeous, so commas are necessary. In the second and third examples, you probably wouldnt say, He was a scary and old man, or, My cute and white dress. Whos scary? The old man. Whats cute? My white dress. No commas required.