Punctuation

Internal Punctuation: Commas, Semicolons, and Colons

Internal punctuation is used within a sentence to help keep words, phrases, and clauses in order. These punctuation marks can be used to indicate elements such as direct quotations and definitions in a sentence.

A comma (,) signifies a small break within a sentence and separates words, clauses, or ideas.

Commas are used before conjunctions that connect two independent clauses.

• I ate some cookies, and I drank some milk.

Commas are also used to set off an introductory phrase.

• After the test, she grabbed dinner with a friend.

Short phrases that emphasize thoughts or emotions are enclosed by commas

• The school year, thankfully, ends in a week.

Commas set off the words yes and no.

• Yes, I am available this weekend.
• No, she has not finished her homework.

Commas set off a question tag.

• It is beautiful outside, isn’t it?

Commas are used to indicate direct address.

• Are you ready, Jack?
• Mom, what is for dinner?

Commas separate items in a series.

• We ate eggs, potatoes, and toast for breakfast.
• I need to grab coffee, go to the store, and put gas in my car.

Semicolons (;) are used to connect two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction like and or but. A semicolon creates a bond between two sentences that are related. Do not capitalize the first word after the semicolon unless it is a word that is normally capitalized.

• The ice cream man drove down my street; I bought a popsicle.
• My mom cooked dinner; the chicken was delicious.
• It is cloudy today; it will probably rain.

Colons (:) introduce a list.

• She teaches three subjects: English, history, and geography.

At the end of a sentence, colons can create emphasis of a word or phrase.

• She had one goal: pay the bills.

More Internal Punctuation: Apostrophes, Hyphens, and Quotation Marks

Apostrophes (’) are used to indicate possession or to create a contraction.

• Bob has a car – Bob’s car is blue.
• Steve’s cat is beautiful.

For plurals that are also possessive, put the apostrophe after the s.

• Soldiers’ uniforms are impressive.

Make contractions by combining two words.

• I do not have a dog – I don’t have a dog
• I can’t swim.

Its and it’s do not follow the normal possessive rules. Its is possessive while it’s means it is.

• It’s a beautiful day to be at the park.
• The dog has many toys, but its favorite is the rope.

Hyphens (-) are mainly used to create compound words.

• The documentary was a real eye-opener for me.
• We have to check-in to the hotel before midnight.
• The graduate is a twenty-two-year-old woman.

Quotation Marks (“) are used when directly using another person’s words in your own writing. Commas and periods, sometimes question marks and exclamation points, are placed within quotation marks. Colons and semicolons are placed outside of the quotation marks, unless they are part of the quoted material. If quoting an entire sentence, capitalize the first word. If it is a fragment, do not capitalize the first word.

• “Ernest Hemingway once claimed, “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.”
• Steve said, “I will be there at noon.”

An indirect quote which paraphrases what someone else said does not need quotation marks

• Steve said he would be there at noon.

Quotation marks are also used for the titles of short works such as poems, articles, and chapters. They are not italicized.

• Robert Frost wrote “The Road Not Taken.”

Let’s Review!

• Periods (.) signify the end of a sentence or are used in abbreviations.
• Question Marks (?) are also used at the end of a sentence and distinguish the sentence as a question.
• Exclamation Points (!) indicate strong feelings, shouting, or emphasis and are usually at the end of the sentence.
• Commas (,) are small breaks within a sentence that separate clauses, ideas, or words. They are used to set off introductory phrases, the words yes and no, question tags, indicate direct address, and separate items in a series.
• Semicolons (;) connect two similar sentences without a coordinating conjunctions such as and or but.
• Colons (:) are used to introduce a list or emphasize a word or phrase.
• Apostrophes (’) indicate possession or a contraction of two words.
• Hyphens (-) are used to create compound words.
• Quotation Marks (“) are used when directly quoting someone else’s words and to indicate the title of poems, chapters, and articles.