Preface

Punctuation is best which best serves to make writing subtle, supple, delicate, nuanced and efficient. Of course you can write using only periods and commas for punctuation. You can cook using only salt and pepper for seasoning. But why do it when there are so many seasonings pleasing to a mature palate?

George Will

This guide is more of a practical source. The first part of every section illustrates the uses of punctuation marks, whereas the second provides exercises for student practice. By giving sentences from both textbooks and prominent writers for examples and exercises, we hope to show the full range of possibilities for punctuation in contemporary writing. If you study the examples carefully, you will gain understanding of how to use each punctuation mark in your own writing. Besides learning how to use punctuation correctly, you will see how punctuation can give you the freedom to write new kinds of sentences and express ideas in more effective ways.

THE COMMA

Setting Off Independent Clauses

1. Use a comma before AND, BUT, OR, SO, NOR, YET, FOR when those words are used to connect two independent clauses.

The express to Helsinki is fast, and it is not very expensive.

The plane is faster, but the train is more relaxing.

Note: A comma is not used with a conjunction if the two independent clauses are very short.

Marc flew and I took the train.

Always use a comma to introduce contrasting information.

The flight stops in Bonn on weekdays, but not on weekends.

Note: Normally in this case sentences may not be joined with only a comma. Use a conjunction and a comma.

Incorrect: The flight was crowded, the service was good.

Correct: The flight was crowded, but the service was good.

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